Public Information Office

About this Office

In 1996, the Court created its first Public Information Office primarily to handle relations between the Supreme Court and the media. Its duties have evolved with changes in communications technology. The Court's public information officer currently serves as media liaison, manages the Supreme Court's webpages and social media, coordinates broadcasts of oral arguments and Court podcasts, advises Chief Justices on their public communications and press relations, and serves as communications counsel to the Court on legal issues involving the First Amendment, public records, ethics, and media law. 

For two decades this office has worked with a variety of audiences to support their need for public information. It has built a reputation for being innovative, open, and responsive. Today, the office provides a wide range of services including media and public relations, emergency and crisis communications, education and public outreach, podcast and video production, web design and content management, and social media management. It also coordinates with all Florida state court public information officers through their professional association, the Florida Court Public Information Officers, Inc. (FCPIO).

The Supreme Court Public Information Office has pioneered many advancements in court communications recognized and studied around the nation. They include:

• Developing a permanent program for live streaming and satellite broadcasts of all Court oral arguments in 1997.
• Providing oral arguments on Facebook Live in 2018.
• Creating one of the world’s first court websites in 1994.
• Creating the nation's first state professional association of court public information officers (FCPIO) in 2005, pioneering the emerging field of court communications.
• Overseeing implementation of the Florida Court Communications Plan in cooperation with the statewide members of FCPIO.
• Performing outreach to the public using social media starting in 2009.
• Pioneering the use of social media in crisis communications during disasters like Hurricane Irma in 2017 and Hurricane Michael in 2018.
• Producing a nationally-recognized civics education program for students starting in 2005.
• Developing a court communications internship program for undergraduates starting in 2008.
• Annually hosting one of the nation's premier court-based "law school for journalist" programs, the Florida Reporters' Workshop, a joint program with The Florida Bar.

In 2016, the Public Information Office welcomed the occasion to lead the state and the nation in court communications again when it began managing the judicial branch Communication Plan in coordination with FCPIO. This plan has become a model discussed and studied by court-related professional associations and judicial conferences around the nation.

Contact this office

• Paul Flemming, Director
• Emilie Rietow, Education & Information Administrator
• Phone: 850-414-7641
• Email: publicinformation@flcourts.org

Public Information Officers around Florida

You can contact court spokespersons in other Florida courts by referring to the list maintained by the Florida Court Public Information Officers, Inc.