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

CIRCUIT JUDGE

The Honorable William S. Orth

Division: B - JUV/P/MH/G
Judicial AssistantDebbie Whitehead
Office: (407) 665-5342 | Email
Located at the Seminole Juvenile 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.

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 Orth'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 Orth recently changed divisions and new policies and procedures are forthcoming!

Division B Judge Orth's Juvenile Policies and Procedures

WILLIAM S. ORTH

BIOGRAPHY

PROFESSIONAL HISTORY

  • Assistant State Attorney, 1998-2000
  • Partner, Bigney & Orth, P.A., 2000-2009
  • Partner, Law Office of William S. Orth, P.A., 2009-2021

EDUCATION

  • University of Cincinnati, B.A., 1995 Phi Beta Kappa Honor Society
  • Case Western Reserve University, J.D., 1998 Editor of Journal of International Law

JUDICIAL HISTORY

  • Appointed Circuit Judge of the Eighteenth Judicial Circuit, September 2021
  • Criminal Felony Division, October 2021-July 2024
  • Juvenile Delinquency/Juvenile Dependency/Probate/Guardianship/Mental Health July 2024-present

ORGANIZATIONS, COMMITTEES, AND COMMISSIONS

  • Member of CivMil - Brevard County 2022-present
  • Member of Brevard County Bar Association 2021-present
  • Volunteer Child Protection Team Attorney at Kids House of Seminole, Inc. 2010-2021
  • Seminole County Community Leaders and Elected Officials of Seminole County (CLEO) 2014-present
  • Member of Private Business Association of Seminole. 2018-present
  • Seminole Inn of Court 2013-present. President from July 1, 2015 – July 1, 2016
  • Florida Bar Association
  • Seminole County Bar Association 2005-present
  • Orange County Bar Association 2005-2017

COMMUNITY SERVICE

  • Volunteer coach for 18th Judicial Circuit High School Mock Trial competition
  • Altamonte Springs Rotary Club 2000-2017:
    • Club President July 1, 2004-July 1, 2005
    • Board Member/Director-At-Large July 1, 2003-July 1, 2007, and July 1, 2014 – July 1, 2015
  • Lake Mary Rotary Club 2017-present:
    • Board Member Club Administration July 2020-July 2024
    • Board Member Vice President July 2024-present
  • Board Member of the J. Douglas Williams YMCA 2006-2016; Board Chair 2009-2011
  • Various leadership positions at Longwood Hills Congregational Church 1999-2011 including youth group leader, Trustee, Board Member, and Church Moderator
  • Member of P.T.A. at Crystal Lake Elementary School 2006-2015
  • Graduate of Class 23 with Leadership Seminole 2013-2014
seminole-county-juvenile-justice-center_3-1200x798
Juvenile Justice Center
Judge Orth Holds Court at the Juvenile Justice Center in
Seminole County

190 Eslinger Way
Sanford FL, 32773
(407) 665-5342

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