Tours of Court Facilites

The Sixth Judicial Circuit’s Tour Program provides scheduled educational tours and programs at some of the circuit’s courthouses. Every effort is made to honor requests for guided tours or use of courtrooms for schools’ mock trial programs. But such requests are considered on the basis of availability of staff and courtroom space.

Not all tours are the same. Each tour is designed to meet the desires of the scheduling group. Factors that are considered include size of the group, ages of the group’s members, courthouse being used, time of day and amount of time allowed for the tour, The Public Information Office attempts to honor all
tour requests, but groups larger than 35 people present logistics problems that have to be overcome.

To discuss a tour for your group, contact the Public Information Office. Generally, Florida’s courts operate with a presumption of openness, and citizens do not need to schedule a tour to sit in on proceedings. However, some proceedings are closed by Florida Statutes, and the public
will not be allowed in closed proceedings. And limited seating is available in most courtrooms.

Whether part of a group or alone, all courthouse visitors will be required to go through a metal detector and follow certain rules.

Weapons – including firearms, knives, scissors, box cutters, razors, pepper spray – are not allowed and may be confiscated. Others items that may not be allowed are handcuffs/handcuff keys, aerosol cans, tools, tape measures, clay and/or putty material, chains, oversized belt buckles and bottles.

Cell phone usage, eating and drinking are prohibited in the courtrooms, and hallway conversations should be effected quietly.

To Schedule a Tour:

Public Information Office
Sixth Judicial Circuit
14250 49th St. North, Suite J4410
Clearwater, FL 33762
Phone: 727.453.7176
e-mail: pio@jud6.org