Grand Jury Proceedings

The best way to understand grand jury proceedings in Hillsborough County, FL, is to read Administrative Order S-2021-047, signed on July 14, 2021.

The newest administrative order supersedes Administrative Order S-2021-009, signed on January 12, 2021, that supersedes Administrative Order S-2019-024.

The order explains that the grand jury will be convened for two six-month terms. The first term of the grand jury will be October 5, 2021, through April 4, 2022. The second term of the grand jury will be April 5, 2022, through October 4, 2022.

The clerk will generally issue summonses for prospective grand jurors to begin each term of the grand jury on the first Tuesday of each term. As a result, for the grand jury term of October 5, 2021, through April 4, 2022, the clerk will issue summonses for prospective grand jurors to arrive on Tuesday, October 5, 2021.

For the grand jury term of April 5, 2022, through October 4, 2022, the clerk will issue summonses for prospective grand jurors to arrive on Tuesday, April 5, 2022, unless otherwise provided by the chief judge.

Florida’s Requirements for Grand Juries

The laws for grand juries in Florida are covered by Chapter 905 of the Florida Statutes. Under Chapter 905, the circuit court is given the following tasks:

• trying any challenges to an individual grand juror or the panel (section 905.06);
• excusing a grand juror related to a person being investigated (section 905.075);
• appointing a foreperson and alternate foreperson of the grand jury (section 905.08);
• extending the term of a grand jury upon proper petition (section 905.095);
• charging the grand jurors concerning their duties after the grand jurors are sworn (section 905.11);
• advising the grand jury about its legal duties when requested (section 905.18); and
• authorizing disclosure of grand jury testimony in limited circumstances (section 905.27).

For more information, contact the attorneys at the Sammis Law Firm, P.A., to discuss your case.

Call (813) 250-0500.

Grand Jury Term Assigned Judges in Hillsborough County, FL

Unless the chief judge directs otherwise, the chief judge will personally participate in the impaneling of each grand jury and will appoint the foreperson and alternate foreperson of each grand jury in accordance with section 905.08, Florida Statutes.

Thereafter, the following circuit judges are assigned as delegates of the chief judge to handle the remainder of the court duties identified in the introductory paragraph of this administrative order during the terms below:

• October 5, 2021 – April 4, 2022 – Jennifer X. Gabbard
• April 5, 2022 – October 4, 2022 – Christopher C. Nash

If the assigned judge encounters a scheduling conflict at any time during the assignment period, it is that judge’s responsibility to arrange for a substitute circuit judge to handle the matter.

The substitute circuit judge should be a judge who is not assigned to the Circuit Criminal Division. If a substitution occurs, the assigned judge must notify the chief judge and the state attorney of the substitution.

This article was last updated on Friday, August 27, 2021.