General Civil
County Court, in Lee County, is being separated into two divisions: criminal and civil with six criminal judges and three civil judges. These changes will take effect beginning September 8th, 2021. This stems from the Florida Supreme Court directive (AOSC 20-23 Amendment 12 and local AO 1.13) in which Trial Courts are required to implement civil case management procedures in circuit and county court. This includes Small Claims cases in which the rule has been invoked. The Lee County Clerk will begin the migration of the Lee County Civil (CC) cases and appropriate Small Claims (SC) cases on September 3rd, 2021.
Click here for a breakdown of the reassignments
General Circuit Civil is any lawsuit in which the relief sought is in excess of $50,000. Most civil cases are placed on an 18 month track to resolution from time of filing in accordance with guidelines from the Florida Supreme Court. Civil cases are monitored by case managers, each of whom works with an assigned judge. Case Managers track timeliness, review filings, assist with development of case management plans, conduct civil case management conferences and compliance conferences, assist the judge in court and prepare court paperwork. Case managers also maintain a foreclosure caseload separate from a general civil caseload. There is also a case manager responsible for monitoring all guardianship cases.
Baker Act
Persons who are mentally ill and refuse to seek treatment and are a danger to themselves or others may be court ordered for evaluation and treatment or emergency pickup, if necessary, under the provision of the Baker Act when the licensed service provider determines the criteria. The agency files the petition and assists with the preparation and filing of emergency petitions.
Baker Act records are confidential.
Marchman Act
The Marchman Act provides involuntary assessment and treatment, if necessary, for substance abuse when the licensed service provider determines the criteria. The agency assists with the preparation of the petition which is filed and processed in the Probate Division.
Substance abuse records are confidential.
| Civil Case Manager | Contact Information |
|---|---|
| Christine Walen Telephone: E-mail: |
(Judge Fuller) (239) 533-8249 cwalen@ca.cjis20.org |
| Sherri Mathis Telephone: E-mail: |
(Judge Laboda) (239) 533-2514 SMathis@ca.cjis20.org |
| Sherian Trask Telephone: E-mail: |
(Judge K. Kyle) (239) 533-8454 strask@ca.cjis20.org |
| Meropi Souza Telephone: E-mail: |
(Judge Cohen) (239) 533-8224 MSouza@ca.cjis20.org |
| Keith McGovern Telephone: E-mail: |
(Judge Shenko) (239) 533-2801 KMcGovern@ca.cjis20.org |
| Nicol Annis Telephone: E-mail: |
(Judge McHugh) (239) 533-8461 NAnnis@ca.cjis20.org |
| Case Manager Telephone: E-mail: |
(Guardianship) |
DOWNLOADS
You must click "Enable Editing" in the yellow banner when opening a document. Not doing so will lock the document.DOWNLOADS FOR SELF REPRESENTED LITIGANT
You must click "Enable Editing" in the yellow banner when opening a document. Not doing so will lock the document.RELATED LINKS
Agreed Case Management Plans are to be submitted by email in word format to LeeCircuitcivilcm@ca.cjis20.org
CONTACT INFORMATION
Lee County Justice Center
1700 Monroe Street Room 3404
Fort Myers, Florida 33901
Facsimile: (239) 485-2567
Email:
LeeCircuitcivilcm@ca.cjis20.org
Court Civil/Family Division Director
Sheila Jerome
Civil/Alternative Dispute Resolution Manager
Jack Hughes
Telephone: (239) 533-8424
Email:
jhughes@ca.cjis20.org
All Circuit Civil Cases are assigned to the Honorable Judge Geoffrey H. Gentile.
The General Magistrate Robert F. Koch is available to hear cases in the Circuit Division. Magistrate Downloads
CONTACT INFORMATION
Susana Fernandez, Civil Case Manager & Program Coordinator
Court Administration - 2nd Floor
Phone: (941) 637-2207
Email: sfernandez@ca.cjis20.org
Clarissa Foster, Civil Case Manager
Court Administration - 2nd Floor
Phone: (941) 833-3060
Email: cfoster@ca.cjis20.org
Luanne Wolff, Civil Division Manager
Court Administration
Phone: (941) 505-4771
Email: lwolff@ca.cjis20.org
DOWNLOADS
RELATED LINKS
CONTACT INFORMATION
Charlotte County Justice Center
Court Administration - 2nd Floor
350 E. Marion Avenue
Punta Gorda, FL 33950
DOWNLOADS
Agreed Case Management Plans are to be submitted by email in word format to CollierAgreedPlan@ca.cjis20.org
CONTACT INFORMATION
Debbie Mravic, Program Coordinator - Family/Civil Court
Magistrates Office
3315 Tamiami Trail E. Ste 509
Naples, FL 34112
phone: (239) 252-2603
fax: (239) 252-8870
