The Florida Supreme Court has amended the criteria for assessing the need for additional district court of appeal judges to ensure judges have adequate time to stay current with legal developments, embrace technological innovations, and promote public trust in the courts.

Acting on its own motion but at the recommendation of the Commission on District Court of Appeal Performance and Accountability, the court issued these amendments to Rule of General Practice and Judicial Administration 2.240 (Determination of Need for Additional Judges) on October 31 in Case No. SC2024-1459.

“Within the effectiveness factors, we now add consideration of the extent to which each judge has adequate time to stay informed of changes in the law and to use, as well as participate in the development of and training on, technology systems,” the court stated in its opinion. “And within the professionalism factors, we now add consideration of the extent to which judges have time to participate in appropriate community activities for purposes that include promoting public trust and confidence in the courts.”