Joint statement from Miami-Dade County Mayor Daniella Levine Cava, Miami-Dade Circuit Court Chief Judge Nushin G. Sayfie, and Miami-Dade Clerk of Courts Harvey Ruvin

Miami-Dade County Mayor Daniella Levine Cava, Miami-Dade Circuit Court Chief Judge Nushin G. Sayfie, and Miami-Dade Clerk of Courts Harvey Ruvin released the following statement on the Dade County Courthouse:

Out of an abundance of caution in response to the tragedy in Surfside, Miami-Dade County Mayor Daniella Levine Cava and Miami-Dade Courts administrators asked engineers to conduct an assessment of all County buildings at the recertification point including the Dade County Courthouse. The engineer’s report of the Courthouse identified safety concerns with various floors and recommended floors 16 and above be closed to staff while repairs are swiftly completed.

Following this report, we are taking all necessary precautions and directing all Courthouse staff at 73 W Flagler Street to work from home beginning immediately while the repairs are being completed. Over the last year throughout the pandemic all Courthouse staff was already working remotely and only recently returned to the building, and we are moving quickly to re-activate our remote work plan.

The Miami-Dade Internal Services Department has already assigned a team to begin the work starting immediately. The basement area is also undergoing further inspection for any additional necessary repairs.

As we review County buildings at the recertification point, we will take urgent action to address any pending concerns and urge cities to take similar action to ensure the safety and wellbeing of all our residents.

All court business at the Dade County Courthouse will be conducted remotely, and Judges and court staff based at the Dade County Courthouse will be working remotely starting Monday, July 12, until further notice.

Those who have upcoming court proceedings scheduled in-person at the Dade County Courthouse will receive new notices with instructions for remote access.

For further information on court proceedings, visit the Miami-Dade Courts online at www.jud11.flcourts.org