Roughly 96% of criminal cases that go through Alachua County never actually make it to a trail, Scott said. That’s because the system is set up to encourage plea negotiations. Scott said her office, which typically represents indigent clients, investigates the facts of each case and assesses the risks before her client decides whether it’s worth going to trial. Because the penalties can be extreme, she added, people will often enter into a diversion plan or plea agreement with the prosecution.
Watch Alachua County Talks with Stacy Scott.
The plea system in many ways is considered a trade-off, as more trials would mean more needed resources.
Kramer said his office handles close to 18,000 cases annually. If more cases went to trial, it would require more judges and staff, which would lead to increased costs and taxes for residents.
Miller-Jones, who rules over cases debated between the two offices, said she tries to consider what’s best for the people coming before her courtroom. Sometimes that means entering a defendant into drug abuse or mental health programs instead of jail.
Clerk of the Court
Many people may not know it, but Clerk of the Court and Comptroller J.K. “Jess” Irby and his office do far more than simply record court cases. He and his office offer services to all residents, the Bar, the judiciary offices, the library district, Board of County Commissioners and other government offices.
Last year alone, the clerk’s office handled roughly 13,500 circuit cases (felony, family, domestic violence, etc.) and more than 30,000 county court cases (traffic, small claims, misdemeanors, etc.). The courthouse held proceedings during all 365 days of the year in 2023.
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