I went today to observe a friend lawyer in action and it was a pretty good experience. About 10 years ago I was part of a state litigation as juror and that case lasted 4 days and was very organized and interesting, great experience for me. The biggest different I saw was that back then nobody could use their phones inside the court room. This time I was very surprised to see most people inside the courtroom using móvil devices and laptops. I don't know if it's because this was a business litigation but on the door it was a HUGE sign saying that phones were not allowed... As the experience today, checking in and passing security was a breeze, getting to the floor pretty fast too, the courtroom was sort of small and the distribution a disaster, only a hand full of chairs available, almost everything was taken by the lawyers of both teams, their laptops, papers, printers, etc. only 3-4 chairs empty and I believe I was the only person from the public present. Another down side was the screens and the position of the juror, from where I was I couldn't see neither, so for the most part I had to imaging what was being presented to the juror. In any case I was happy that my friend won the case and in my opinion the jury got the clear and fair conclusion. read more

Miami-Dade County Courthouse - Courthouses Near Me - Miami, Florida

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Worked there many years..I remember when they restored the court room used for the Al Capone trials..it was a beautiful renovation..I hope at least they don't dismantle this room..boy do I got stories..I sometimes went up to the old jails on the top floors and looked around..going up to the courthouse peak was scary but interesting.. read more

Five stars for the history. I love a historic courthouse and Miami has a beautiful example in this neo classical building. The county seat moved to Miami in 1900. There were several previous courthouse buildings but the city population was exploding so fast that they were quickly outgrown. In June 1925, near the peak of the Florida Land boom, the county commission approved plans for a new $4.2 million, twenty-five story courthouse. The building was designed by nationally known architect Anthony Ten Eyck Brown, with assistance from local architect Walter DeGarmo. The design featured a tower rising from a broad, crowned with a ziggurat-stepped roof. In 1926 the old Courthouse on the spot was demolished and the new construction began. By May 1927, the first 16 floors had been built. It eventually reached 361 feet tall with 28 floors. At a cost of 4 million dollars, it was the tallest building in Miami and in Florida in 1928. When it opened it served as both the courthouse and city hall. Efforts to restore the courthouse began in 1981 by Architect James W. Piersol, AIA of M.C Harry Associates Architects of Miami. They were able to stabilize the terra cotta façade and add a sprinkler system and safety lights. In 1982 they began restoring the lobby. In later years the grandest courtroom in the building, Courtroom 6-1 was restored at a cost of $650,000. It is called the ceremonial courtroom and it was where Al Capone was tried and acquitted in 1930. Another case tried there was that of assassin Giuseppe Zangara who was sentenced to death after attempting to kill Franklin D. Roosevelt 17 days before his inauguration in 1933 at Bayfront Park. He missed, but ended up shooting to death the mayor of Chicago, Anton Cermak. On January 4, 1989, the courthouse was added to the National register of Historic Places. Today, the courthouse houses offices, chambers, and courtrooms for the clerks and judiciary assigned to both the Circuit and County Civil Court. It is where most civil cases are heard. As of July 9, 2021 the courthouse has been shut and all employees are working from home. They had been working from home during the pandemic and had only been back one week before the closure. The courthouse is undergoing repairs immediately after safety concerns were noted in the wake of the Surfside condo collapse. A structural engineer who examined the building recommended that floors 16 and above be immediately closed. Works has commenced on columns and support structures. Hopefully they will be able to save this historic landmark. read more

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I really just have amazing things to say about the Miami Dade court house in Flagler. Mrs. Flowers and Ross are a JEM they are among the finest employees. First I went to find out about a civil lawsuit. The first person who I came across seemed confused, therefor,I went to a totally different person. The same in their obligation but a flower compared to the other. Coincidentally, her name is MRS.FLOWERS, so informative and knowledgeable she even gave me great information about my issues. Then send me over to the correct department but related information that the department and the fact that it was opened on Monday and Tuesday for the issue that I needed on those certain days. I was so grateful. Then I went upstairs to gather more information and details,emails and supervisors emails in case that no one followed up. Finally I came across another JEM her name is ROSS. Exemplary employee as well. Wow how refreshing. After all this I went to the ladies room. Very clean however,when I looked carefully at who to give credit for the cleaning of this bathroom. I saw an unusual pattern with the signatures on the daily janitorial inspection log. I took a picture just c because I figured that JUANA seems to be working a lot of hours and you know I don't want anyone to be overwhelmed. I will pass over this log on my notes to the team that way they can report this to the proper person and JUANA can relax. Thanks read more

It's a beautiful building with so much history. This building was built in 1925 as the only court house in Miami at that time . Interesting fact, Al Capone had his trial in this very building in courtroom 6-1 in 1930 . That's where he was found guilty for money laundering. That courtroom has been restored to the original form it was back in 1930's . Today, the Miami-Dade County Courthouse provides offices, chambers, and courtrooms for the clerks and judiciary assigned to both the Circuit and County Civil Court. read more

This review is really for the small cafe in the courthouse. There are some people you come across in life that just have really good energy that radiates out of them like sunshine and that's exactly how I felt about this nice lady who I assumed to be of Haitian descent who attended to me. After exiting the courthouse for jury duty, I happened upon a small cafe tucked away at the entrance of the courthouse. I tried to see if it had a name but I can't recall that it did. I just wanted to give some attention to this attendant because you can tell that she loves what she does. I kindly asked her for a cafe con leche (not knowing what to expect) and to be made "clarito" which is "light" not strong in Spanish. Im kind of picky when it comes to Cuban coffee as I was spoiled growing up having grown up in a family friend's Cuban restaurant called El Prado which is by Magic City Casino (though now it has different owners)so I knew how it should be made (leche evaporada etc. etc.) There is an art to mastering Cuban coffee and other essential Cuban items like Tostada which is literally my favorite thing regardless of how bad it is for you and this lady did it just right. But besides the perfectly made Cuban toast with butter and Cafe Con Leche it is more her attitude that stuck out to me. We ended up having a conversation and she relayed to me that she has been doing that job for 32 years (well 33 counting this year) and rightly so. She happily obliged when I asked her to make it light. Where others would roll their eyes, she graciously smiled and that warrants a positive review. I wish I got her name but I'm pretty sure she's well known at the courthouse especially if she is the main attendant there. There are some people in life who carry kindness and there are others who radiate it. I just wanted to thank her for making my day (and breakfast) a little brighter:)...and also the building was nice too. Very historic looking. With the tall pillars it kind of goes with the setting, you know with law and all but overall anyone who works in that building is lucky to be graced by that lady's presence. It made Jury duty that much more enjoyable. read more

It took me 2.25 hours to get here from Pinecrest. Wow crazy traffic! Remind me next time not to wear steel toe shoes. Had to take my shoes off and pass them through the scanner. Which I have no problem with just different shoes would have made it nicer for me. Had to get copies from room 238. The service was great. Fast and efficient I was in and out in 5 minutes. Thank you read more

Miami-Dade County Courthouse - Courthouses Near Me - Miami, Florida

Here for jury duty. I don't mind doing my civic service, but in this case they made the experience as abusive to this "citizen juror" as possible. For one, they sent the jury duty notice between 5-1 working days before my summons report-in date. Five is being generous, as I hadn't checked my box for three days due to a small trip. When calling to see if I could postpone since I have a big trip that could collide with the trial and hadn't been able to plan for the service in general, I was informed that I needed to request a postponement 7 days in advance in writing/form. When I said I hadn't even gotten the summons that far in advance, the rather surly answer was literally "that's not our problem. Maybe it was the Post Office". I was informed we send them out a month in advance. Also, I was informed by the "helpful" lady on the phone, I needed to inform my employer of jury 7 days in advance to qualify to be paid by them as per Florida law even during my tenure. Since I didn't get it 7 days in advance I'd be out of luck again. Fortunately, that won't be a problem here, but still... Now, a couple of things. First -- even a month in advance to send it, not receive it, is already close. Even Texas does it 60 days in advance, and California 90. Of course, this could be Miami's "well run" (ha!) government at work. Or based on their management of the city, they naturally expect they've rendered their citizens unemployed. However, as mentioned, I didn't even get this courtesy. Also, in both those states, you get one automatic postponement if needed and don't have to grovel for it if it happens that the SMALL window of time happens to be terrible for you. By the way, is this crappy policy toward potential jurors really in the best interest of the court? I would have had a much different attitude if I had been able to reschedule to my 60 day extension (or at least gotten the notice considered rational in other jurisdictions), thus giving me time to plan around it. Thus, I would have been a happier juror. Finally, to add an additional pointless inconvenience, they didn't even assign me to the closest courthouse, but made me travel 2 hours in traffic to a particular courthouse when the closest with jury trials is about 30 minutes away. read more

Housed in one of the finest historic buildings in downtown Miami, the 11th judicial circuit is your one-stop-shop for all civil and probate litigation needs (for family issues, go across the street, and for criminal matters...an escort will be provided). County Clerk Harvey Ruvin's iron fisted rule has gone unopposed since he assumed the position in 1992. Since his installation, he has streamlined and digitized record management, making it accessible to all and cherry picked an elite unit of multilingual clerks (where else can you hear legal clerks discoursing in Creole other than perhaps Port-au-Prince?) to ensure that the reach of the law's long arm extends to its full potential. There is also a small stand in the lobby, next to the metal detectors, which is overseen by a woman who will only make change for customers, thus forcing the otherwise unwilling to buy her samplings of weak coffee and microwavable sticky buns in order to break that 20 spot. All in all, this courthouse is what makes Miami-Dade County a most desirable jurisdiction in which to sue or be sued. read more

The history behind this building is really neat if you ever get a chance to listen to some judges who are history buffs. The upper floors of this courthouse used to be the jail and so it makes for an interesting layout for some of the courtrooms on these floors (including posts in the middl of the courtroom that block your view of the judge or jury). Unlike some other counties, Miami-Dade does not offer lockers for items that you are not allowed to bring into the courthouse. So be sure to leave that pocket knife in your car or at home. Also, bring lots of patience and come early. During peak hours you might encounter a line at the metal detector and the elevators can be packed and SLOW! Be sure to keep opinions of the judiciary to yourself as the judges take the same elevators! Also, be sure you use the correct elevators as they are divided by floors. One really great thing about this courthouse is the public law library that is on the second floor. Not only is there a vast array of legal resources, but there are computers, copiers and plenty of work space. While the historic nature of this building may cause some inefficiencies, it certainly invokes the hollywood-esque power of the justice system! read more

Beautiful. Old. Smells kinda old too. I may be wierd, but I simply love being inside this massive and powerful structure. It's always bustling and exciting. Lawyers and workers and nerves as people get ready to face judges and have their cases heard. For those in the biz, please note that the clerks are not the friendliest beasts. They don't seem happy to be there. Truthfully, they are over-worked as recent budget cuts forced the system to cut the staff in half. read more

"What you doin at the court house, what you doin at the court house, what you doin at the court house, cause JP wants to know...." LOL..... I have been twice, once for jury duty, and once for mediation with my daughter's "father"... Both times I have been pleased. My 9-5 is hard, to say the least, so no, I didn't mind sitting in a room all day, watching movies, studying, and taking a nap, while still getting paid my regular wage. A walk in the park. The staff seemed respectful and nice. And as far as the mediation.... It went well :-) For a government building in Miami...This place is A-OK read more

Maybe it's cool for JA's to be miserable and nasty on the phone? It's funny how people can project such negativity even when it's only through the phone. Ohhhh and I just looooove their new system where they only answer the phone til noon. And some case managers only m-w-f til noon. Way to go miami dade. Your in the big league of cities aintcha. read more

A cool, historical building. The security and clerks are nicer than the typical encountered in buildings of this ilk. Due to the age of the elevators, don't expect to get anywhere fast. read more

Here a lot for work. The building is pretty and the staff is helpful, but when the line at the clerks officers long be prepared to wait. Also, some of the floors are condemned due to mold. You could really smell it in 6-2 and 6-3. I had to do a couple trials in those courtrooms and it was rough. They really need to renovate this place. read more

How the heck can you EVER reach someone at the probate office?! Ludicrous and utterly ridiculous. You wait and wait on hold, (only from 9-12) then get hung up on! So frustrating and unacceptable. read more

Don't bother waiting for an elevator. The building, yes it's lovely, but the folks you encounter there are really just not happy to be there. It's a freaking court house. I had to go for a traffic violation, thank god I came with an attorney, or I just might have been sitting there all day waiting for my case to be presented to the judge. I don't even know why I'm reviewing this - I mean really - how often can you say to the Clerk of Courts - "you know, I reviewed this place on Yelp, and I'm not really happy about having my case be tried here - do you think you can get me into another place?" read more

Surprisingly fast service.. I almost fell of the chair when they took care of my problem in less than 10 minutes... This place definitely needs a face lift. Talk about a strange order lurking ... eeekk.... read more

called to get more information about our court, no date, no phone where to call. waited for someone on the phone for 10 minutes. The matchine said we are being treansfered. then we waited again. Then l dont hear any music and l check my phone they hung up. read more

To park at this place just plain sucks. Other than that it is OK. What more do you want from a court house?

The worst telephone service. Unable to reach a probate clerk. They only take calls 9am to 12 pm but do not answer phone and then hang up with statement to call back. . Should be way to leave a message or e ail a question. Will have to drive to the court house from Palm Beach to get a simple answer. Outrageous. read more

Called just trying to ask a simple question. After spending 7 minutes listening to all the prerecorded bull finally got through and was told to hold. I'm calling long distance from California and 30 minutes later am still on hold. read more

Very long line, if you coming without appointment, you can easaly spend here hole day

I felt like I went back in time to the 1940s era. I am not sure how old this building is but although it appears to be a relic, it is a very interesting layout. On one side of the lobby, a set of elevators take up to the 2nd - 8th floor; on the other side of the lobby, a set of elevators take you up to the 8th floor - highest floor in the building. There are bathrooms on certain floors only which makes it inconvenient when in a hurry. When I found the courtroom which I had to be in, I entered it through french doors which had no door handle and rickety blinds which gave it a rather tacky feel. The french doors do not sound proof the courtroom either as I could hear multiple attorneys discussing their case etc. out in the hallway. The courthouse was not a typical courtroom either as it had a big column in the middle which partially obstructed my view of the bench. Despite the negatives, if not already, this structure should be designated a historic building and saved from developers! lol read more

Would like to give a shout out to one of the best clerks I've incounterd in my many years working through Miami courts here name is Hilda Molina, she went above and beyond to make sure I was on point. Thank You read more

Called the city of miami. Pressed ONE for english. Woman answered the phone. Asked a simple question. Repeated the question three times. She responded in garbled english, and requested that I called back and PRESS ONE for english! So, I politely called back. Pressed ONE again. Another woman anwered telephone. I asked the same question. Repeated it twice. She responded in broken english, then hung up the phone. The service at the City is completely unacceptable and lacks professionalism. The standards are poor. The staff is poorly informed about the information. When I called Broward, question was answered in a timely manner and english was clear and concise. read more