Mediation & Diversion Services
George E. Edgecomb Courthouse
800 E. Twiggs Street, Room 208
Tampa, Florida 33602
ph. (813) 272-5642
| Program Brief (overview of what this program is about) |
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OUR MISSION:
To provide high quality, professional mediation services for Hillsborough County disputants, at a reasonable cost, in a cordial and comfortable environment. To serve the Court and the community in the resolution of disputes in a timely and efficient manner, and to instill confidence and satisfaction in all those we serve.
Trained mediators work with parties involved in disputes to help them reach mutually acceptable resolutions. Rather than focusing on who is “right” or “wrong,” mediators assist the petitioners and respondents in reaching a mutually satisfactory settlement. Mediation facilitates early and voluntary resolution of issues, as opposed to a court-imposed judgment; that is, parties decide the outcome of the mediation conference. Mediation touches people in all walks of life, ranging from issues such as neighborhood arguments to dissolution of marriage to business disputes with millions of dollars at stake. Components of Mediation Services are established according to the division of court, thus qualifications and certification of mediators vary according to divisions of court.
HISTORY:
Established as the Citizen Dispute Settlement Program in 1978, staff mediated civil complaints such as municipal ordinance violations, consumer complaints and neighborhood disputes. The services were offered to the public as an alternative to the formal judicial process and to assist the court in reducing the caseload. In 1984, the Family Mediation Program was added to address post-judgment custody and visitation disputes; two years later it was expanded to include child support, division of personal property and pre-judgment cases. In 1985, a Criminal Mediation program was created for adult misdemeanor violators. In 1988, the 13th Judicial Circuit was part of a pilot project that established Circuit Civil Mediation as a viable means of resolving cases. Grant revenue has been provided by the Dispute Resolution Center and the Center for Social Gerontology to establish programs in Dependency and Guardianship divisions.
Brochures
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Family Diversion |
Programa Alternativo Familiar |
Community Mediation Program |
Programa De Mediacion De La Comunidad |
Dependency Mediation |
Community Mediation Request Form
Family Mediation Request Form
- FAMILY MEDIATION
All issues related to marriage dissolution and in domestic proceedings between unmarried parents may be referred to mediation. All post-judgment family law cases must participate in mediation before a hearing can be scheduled with the judge or the general master. Issues mediated include temporary support, personal property distribution, custody and visitation. Fees are based on a flat rate for service but can be waived upon the court’s determination of indigency.
- SMALL CLAIMS, CIRCUIT CIVIL AND COUNTY CIVIL
Mediators are available in the courtrooms at the pre-trial hearings in Small Claims and County Civil proceedings, which include actions under $15,000. The parties are escorted to a conference room, where mediators assist them in resolving the case. While there is no fee for Small Claims cases, each party in County Civil cases must pay $60. Certified mediators also assist in resolving issues in Circuit Civil, which include actions in excess of $15,000; parties pay the mediator on an hourly basis.
ph. (813) 672-7442
fax. (813) 672-7443
- COMMUNITY MEDIATION
Almost any case appropriate for Small Claims, County Civil and/or Circuit Civil can find a forum for resolving conflicts in Community Mediation prior to a matter being filed in court. Parties are not prohibited from filing their case in court if the matter is not resolved, but disputes resolved through mediation eliminate the need for a formal court hearing which reduces the time and expense involved to parties. Truancy Mediation services are also offered to parents and the school district in designated schools in Hillsborough County. Community Mediation services are free to the parties and may be accessed at locations throughout Hillsborough County.
COMMUNITY MEDIATION LOCATIONS:
Plant City Courthouse
Southshore Community Justice Center
13th Judicial Circuit, Downtown Tampa
- GUARDIANSHIP MEDIATION
Guardianship mediation is a court ordered form of mediation, designed to assist in the resolution of disputes arising under the Florida Guardianship Law, Chapter 744, Florida Statutes. The disputes can involve issues at the pre-guardianship stage or after a guardianship has been ordered by the court. Mediated issues can include such things as the decisional process about whether or not a guardianship should be established; who should be appointed as guardian; the parameters and restrictions of the guardianship relationship; the disposition of property of the guardianship estate; and decisions concerning placement and medical care of a person, either pre or post guardianship. The mediators who conduct guardianship mediation have often received special training in guardianship law and procedures.
- DEPENDENCY MEDIATION
Dependency mediation is a form of mediation designed to assist in the resolution of disputes arising from allegations of abuse, abandonment, or neglect of a child. These disputes often result in a case brought by the Department of Children and Families under Chapter 39 of the Florida Statutes, although such cases can be brought by any person with knowledge of the facts alleged. Typical issues that are mediated include case plan tasks such as counseling, parenting classes, mental health evaluations and therapy, domestic violence evaluations and therapy, and drug and alcohol evaluations and therapy. Additionally, parties may agree on whether an adjudication of dependency should be ordered, placement of the children, visitation, and even whether parental rights should be terminated. Mediators of these cases are specially certified by the Florida Supreme Court as Dependency Mediators.