COVID-19: Local Courts & Legal Info in Tampa Bay. FL
COVID-19 has impacted the lives of many in Hillsborough County, across the region, and the world. As the situation continues to evolve, Metcalf Falls, Criminal Defense Attorneys, P.A., wants to reassure our clients and the community that we are taking this situation seriously, and putting safety measures in place that prioritize the health and well-being of our clients and staff. We also want to ensure you get the answers and consummate legal guidance you expect.
As a firm, we are carefully monitoring and adhering to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), Florida Health Department, other government agency guidance, and staying abreast of any changes or updates.
Attorney Metcalf and our staff have been advised on the practical measures to help stem the tide of COVID-19, including regular hand washing, the use of hand sanitizer, frequently disinfecting commonly touched areas, and social distancing whenever possible. Though we are working remotely, we are fully-operational! We also setup a 24/7 virtual answering service to take incoming calls any time of day.
If you are an existing client and have a question about your case in light of the COVID 19 pandemic, please call (813) 258-4800 or send us a message online. We are also accepting new clients, and operating normally.
We want to make it clear to our current clients who may have unanticipated questions about how their situation that we are always here to answer ANY AND ALL questions, so they will not incur additional legal fees due to this unexpected event.
We’re Here & Working for You
Attorney Metcalf is working hard to address your needs and questions. We are monitoring calls, responding to requests, working on rescheduling hearings when necessary, and staying on top of deadlines.
We know how serious your situation is and the impact this is having across the region. We will work to ensure these unprecedented events do not unfairly impact your legal issue. We have access to all pending cases, will file motions when possible, and we are still actively working to resolve cases favorably.
Metcalf Will Keep You Informed
Communication with clients is key in any legal matter, and especially now. We are closely monitoring all client deadlines, court closures, and will continue to keep you updated.
Court dates may be moved and rescheduled depending on availability. If you have a court date scheduled, please reach out to discuss how the closure affects your particular situation.
If things continues to progress, we will explore all available options to provide you with the best possible representation. This may include using video depositions and testimony, e-document filing, and other tools should the need arise.
Local Florida Court Closures
The chief judge has directed the clerk to reschedule the majority of all hearings past April 20th, 2020. You can review the administrative order here.
The “Mission Critical Events” will still take place, but we have the ability to appear over the phone, rather than in person. This change will inevitably delay the resolution of many cases in our system, but we are still working at full capacity to earn the best result possible for our clients.
For Active Cases & Those in Custody
If you are involved in an active criminal case, you should carefully monitor the court website and call to find out what is expected of you. Do not miss any hearings or other court-mandated requirements without confirmation from your lawyer.
The court closures are having the most impact on incarcerated clients awaiting trial who cannot afford bail and those sentences that will conclude during the pandemic, who may fear exposure as a result of their confinement.
We are working to make sure there are no unnecessary delays when clients are in custody, You can view a ROR Motion template here for anyone not released at the discretion of the Sheriff’s Office.
You Can Always Reach Us
Your case and the dedicated service attorney Metcalf provides will not be interrupted despite this uniquely challenging time. We appreciate your patience and we will continue to bring you updates.
We are speaking with clients as needed and taking consultations for those seeking our services once everything is running normally.
We remain available 24/7 at (813) 258-4800.
We’re All In this Together
We hope that you and your families are safe and healthy. Thank you for your patience and flexibility. We truly appreciate your choice in deciding to work with an attorney who will stand by you no matter what. We look forward to continuing to work together to resolve your current and future legal issues.