We spoke earlier with Joe Stelma, Duval County Court Administrator on the status of the new courthouse, which was scheduled to open today at 8am.
The courthouses- both old and new- are closed. The new courthouse will open next week but he could not give the day yet.
Fire Chief Martin Senterfitt says testing scheduled to begin tomorrow will help determine if Turner Construction has fixed problems with the fire safety systems, which initially glitched late last week.
Turner Construction Spokesman Chris McFadden says testing of the fire safety systems was held over the weekend and continued through today. We will be speaking more with the company and will bring you more information once it’s available.
Senterfitt says it’s one thing to have plans in place, it’s another for them to actually work.
“If it passes the test then we can start talking about occupying the courthouse,” he says.
But so far, he is confident in what he sees.
Late last week, Jacksonville Fire Rescue asked the Florida Fire Marshal's Office for aid getting the courthouse open. Spokeswoman Alexis Lambert says it is not unusual for the agency to get involved, but they are working purely in an advisory capacity.
If there is a continued delay in opening the new Courthouse, the city will consider one of the alternatives outlined by the Mayor's office late last week. Public Defender Matt Shirk hopes court proceedings stay within the city, although right now the best solution is the one which gets the system running once again.
“We still have work to do, we are still working are cases. We’re open for business,” he says.
His actual office will not be relocated to the new Courthouse, but the office has hundreds of hearings scheduled this week that will now be moved back. While Shirk says they will be able to manage for now, any further delays could begin to cause problems.
“If you get beyond this week then you’re gunna have a real problem with a backlog in cases, with potential speedy trial issues with delayed justice not only for our clients but for victims of crimes.”
For now the more than 40 lawyers in the Public Defender’s office are working to catch up on paperwork, meet with witnesses and prepare for trial. Shirk says they are all ready and waiting to go back to court.
For this week there have been some accommodations for area residents with court business.
There is a civil, criminal, family, and juvenile duty Judge at the Courthouse Annex located at 220 E. Bay Street.
J-1, which is first appearance, J-2, which is domestic violence, J-3, which involves child support, are located in the Pre-Trial Facility. They will continue to operate as normal. Those who have hearings must comply.
Juvenile court hearings are now being conducted at the courthouse facility, 3490 Beach Blvd, the old Southgate Plaza Shopping Center. Traffic court is also there, and is on a normal working schedule.
Domestic violence and walk-ins are still open and continue to operate at the Courthouse Annex.