Chief Judge Crawford has authorized the cancellation of all court proceedings in Seminole and Brevard Counties effective Noon, Tuesday, October 8, 2024, through Thursday, October 10, 2024.
A decision will be made Thursday regarding Friday proceedings.Stay informed by following us on Facebook or X (Twitter). You may also call (321) 637-5700 in Brevard or (407) 665-4945 in Seminole.

Eighteenth Judicial Circuit Courts
Serving the Citizens of Brevard and Seminole Counties

SEMINOLE COUNTY JUDGE

Photo of Judge John Woodard III 500 by 700 pixels

The Honorable John L. Woodard

Division: U, Criminal
Judicial AssistantJeanie Carter
Office: (407) 665-4906 | Email
Located at the Criminal Justice Center, Sanford, Seminole

SCHEDULING HEARINGS

JACs Dockets & Calendars

The Eighteenth Judicial Circuit provides the JACs (Judicial Automatic Calendar System). JACs online scheduling is for attorneys only and requires a login. It is important to review any policies and procedures that apply before contacting judges’ chambers. If you don’t see the docket you are looking for within the JACs list, please contact the Judicial Assistant.

NOTE: Not all of the judges post their calendars online. Calendars are subject to change hourly, so check back frequently to guarantee accurate updates.


SEMINOLE – COUNTY COURT – CRIMINAL JUDICIAL ROTATION SCHEDULE:

JACs 

JACs Instructions

HOW TO SIGN UP FOR A JACS ACCOUNT

Attorneys Only (You will need your Florida Bar Number)

ATTORNEYS CLICK HERE TO SIGN-UP OR RESET YOUR ACCOUNT. (You will need your Florida Bar Number)

FOR ALL OTHER PLEASE NOTE: The JACS system was designed to work with bar license numbers only, as a way of tracking attorneys who schedule hearings. We will not be able to create a JACS account for you.

Luckily, JACS is only one of the many ways we have to schedule hearing dates in our Court. If you require a hearing date please use one of these methods:

  1. Work with opposing counsel and have them schedule a hearing on an agreed time/date.
  2. Contact the presiding judge’s Judicial Assistant for your scheduling needs. 
  3. File a motion requesting a hearing per the Florida Trial Court Rules.

INSTRUCTIONS AND MORE

Judge Woodard's Policies and Procedures (See Below)

The Eighteenth Judicial Circuit provides procedural instructions for attorneys along with policies that may differ within the guidelines of the law between judges and county or circuit court.

Attorneys in both Brevard and Seminole have the resources offering many new facets of modern technology including but not limited to online scheduling, instructions, provider listings, policies and procedures and much more.

There are courtroom rules and policies governing all divisions of the Eighteenth Judicial Circuit Court. All parties are expected to follow these rules.

Judge Woodard's Policies and Procedures

JOHN L. WOODARD III

BIOGRAPHY

PROFESSIONAL HISTORY

  • Admitted to the Florida Bar — 1978
  • Admitted to U.S. District Court – Middle District of Florida – 1978
  • Admitted to U.S. District Court – Northern District California – 1978
  • Admitted to 11th Circuit Court of Appeals – 1981
  • Admitted to 5th Circuit Court of Appeals – 1981
  • Admitted to U.S. Supreme Court – 1982
  • Board-certified, Criminal Trial Specialist by The Florida Bar since 1988 to present
  • Former Assistant State Attorney, Ninth Judicial Circuit
  • Past President, Central Florida Criminal Defense Lawyer’s Association
  • Past Chairman, Orange County Bar Criminal Law Committee

EDUCATION

  • B.A. University of Florida
  • J.D. Wake Forest University

JUDICIAL HISTORY

  • Helped establish the County Court Judge, 18th Judicial Circuit 2007 to present
  • Seminole County Mental Health Courts; assisted with the Mental Health Team in obtaining federal grants for the funding of said court
  • 2011 to present: Judge of the Mental Health Court in Seminole County
  • 2011 to present: Judge of the Veterans Court in Seminole County

ORGANIZATIONS, COMMITTEES, AND COMMISSIONS

  • Member, Seminole County Bar Association
  • Member, Volie Williams Inns of Court, Seminole County
  • Member, Canvassing Board, Seminole County Supervisor of Elections Committee, Chair 2010 to 2014; 2014 alternate
  • Member, Seminole County Mental Health Task Force
  • Past member, Complex Crimes Committee of The American Bar Association
  • Past member, Federal Practice Committee
  • Past member, National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers
  • Past member, Strike Force Committee, National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers
  • Past member, Central Florida Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers, former President
  • Judge, Barry School of Law, Moot Court competition
  • AV rated in Martindale Hubbell – Preeminent Registry

AWARDS

  • 2019 – Seminole County Bar’s Lifetime Achievement Award
  • 2013 – Seminole County Bar Association Distinguished Service Award for the creation and implementation of Seminole County Veterans Court
  • 2013 – Certificate of Appreciation for outstanding service to veterans, Navy Seabee Veterans of America, Inc.
  • 2012 – Gary Formet Award of Judicial Excellence
  • 2010 – Mize – Dickey Award – Judge of the year
Photo of Seminole Criminal Justice Center 800 by 600 pixels
Criminal Justice Center
Judge Woodard Holds Court at the Criminal Justice Center in
Seminole County

101 Eslinger Way
Sanford, FL 32773-6707
Office: (407) 665-4906

Florida Courts Help available at the touch of a screen:

For constituents, customers, or callers seeking help with family law cases – divorce, adoption, name change, custody, order of protection, and much more – there is now a one-stop source for lots of information aimed at self-represented people. Florida Courts Help is available at app stores as well as online at help.flcourts.gov.

View Case Management Administrative Orders, video tutorial on how to properly complete and submit Case Management Plan/Orders, and more. Please ensure you are utilizing the most recent Case Management Plan and Case Management Order. Click here to view Civil Case Management Orders & Forms (Updated on 4/16/2024)
Case Management Plan/Orders