Florida
Clay County

Small Claims

Program Overview: No known program.

Referral: No known program.

Selection, Qualification, and Training of Neutrals: No known program.

Payment/Costs/Funding: No known program.

Civil

Program Overview: No known program.

Referral: No known program.

Selection, Qualification, and Training of Neutrals: No known program.

Payment/Costs/Funding: No known program.

Family

Program Overview: Case types include evaluation/modification, equitable distribution, spousal support, child custody, visitation, paternity, and child support. There are court-connected family mediation programs in 18 of the 20 judicial circuits in Florida. Private mediators are available in all circuits.

Referral: Mandatory for custody, visitation, or other parental responsibility issues as defined n F.S.A. 61.13. Most circuits use a dual system of referral, using staff or contract mediators for families with an income below a specific level, and referring other families to private mediators.

Selection, Qualifications, and Training of Neutrals: Under Florida Family Law Rules of Procedure. R. 12.740, individuals ordered to mediation have 10 days to agree upon a mediator who may or may not be certified. If there is no agreement, the court refers parties to a mediator selected from the rotation list maintained by the court or by some other manner adopted by administrative order of the chief judge.

Minimum qualifications for certification as a family mediator require a master’s degree or higher in social work, mental health, behavioral or social science; or be a physician certified to practice psychiatry; or be an attorney or certified public accountant licensed to practice in any U.S. jurisdiction; with at least 4 years practical experience in one of the aforementioned fields or 8 years family mediation experience with a minimum of 10 mediations/year. A minimum of 40 hours family mediation training, certified by the state supreme court; observation of 2 family mediations conducted by a certified family mediator; mediation of 2 cases supervised/observed by a certified family mediator; and good moral character are also required. (Florida Rules for Certified and Court-Appointed Mediators, R. 10.100(b))

Payment/Costs/Funding: Programs moved from county to state funding in July 2004. Families referred to private mediators are responsible for the costs. Some counties use volunteers or are funded such that there is no cost to the parties. State court rules restrict referral of family cases to mediation programs charging a fee unless the court has determined that parties are able to pay.

Appellate 

Program Overview: The First District Court of Appeal, which encompasses Clay County as part of the Fourth Circuit, had established a mediation program. In 2001, due to statewide budget restrictions, program ceased operations.

Referral: No known program.

Selection, Qualification, and Training of Mediators: No known program.

Payment/Costs/Funding: No known program.

Criminal

Program Overview: No known program.

Referral: No known program.

Selection, Qualification, and Training of Mediators: No known program.

Payment/Costs/Funding: No known program.

Juvenile

Dependency: No known program.

Delinquency: No known program.

Teen Court: The Clay County Teen Court “gives first-time offenders between the ages of 10 and 17 a second chance, yet holds them accountable for their actions.” Youthful offenders must plead guilty, accept the sentence, and complete the sanctions to have their records cleared. 

Truancy: No known program.

Restorative Justice Programs

Sentencing Circle: No known program.

Victim-Offender: No known program.

Probate

Program Overview: No known program.

Referral: No known program.

Selection, Qualification, and Training of Neutrals: No known program.

Payment/Costs/Funding: No known program.