Useful Articles

Impartial Jury

Within the local court system, Clerks of Court in Florida manage the jury process, helping to uphold the right to an impartial jury. This includes randomly selecting juror pools, summoning…

Training & Certifications

DYK? Clerks have more than 1,000 statutory duties and complete 240 hours of training and certification programs after being elected, plus 36 hours annually, to master the complexities of their…

Kimberley Barrineau was elected without opposition to her first, full term as Hendry County’s Clerk & Comptroller June 12, 2020. Kimberley assumed the role of elected official January 4, 2021 at the conclusion of her appointed term in the position by Gov., Ron DeSantis.  Kimberley joined the Clerk of Courts office in 2003 and has served as a Deputy Clerk and Chief Deputy Clerk. Ms. Barrineau grew up in Hendry County and has lived here all of her life. She has worked in the Hendry County Court system for nearly 16 years, starting out at the sub-office, where she worked as the supervisor. The Clerk of Courts & Comptroller is a duly elected Constitutional Officer as mandated by Article V, Section 16 of the Constitution of the State of Florida. She is a member of the Florida Association of Court Clerks and Comptrollers. The Hendry County Clerk of Court’s office is a complex organization that performs a wide range of record keeping, information and financial management for the judicial system, the Board of County Commissioners, and most importantly, the citizens of Hendry County. The Clerk of Court as an officer of the Hendry County Court System is responsible for maintaining court records with the utmost care and security. These court records include criminal felony and misdemeanor cases, civil, family, Probate and Small Claims proceedings, Juvenile cases and traffic citations.

The Clerk of Court is the official recorder and custodian of all documents placed in the Hendry County Official Records. The Official Records are a permanent repository of those documents which primarily relate to real estate transactions. The Clerk collects and disburses court ordered child support and alimony payments. The Clerk issues marriage licenses. Our office is responsible for issuing jury summons, requisitions and distributes payment of fees to jurors.

Clerk Picture

 

As Clerk to the Board of County Commissioners, the Clerk attends all Board meetings, records the proceedings and maintains minutes of each meeting.

The Clerk serves as the chief financial officer of the county. In this capacity the clerk ensures that all expenditures of county funds are authorized by law.

The Clerk’s office has been designated by the United States Department of State to receive and process passport applications and is the only agency in Hendry County so empowered.

All records filed with the Clerk are available for public inspection during normal business hours with the exception of those records specifically exempt by judicial order or Florida Statute

A Message from Judge Sloan Regarding Jury Duty

Jury service is one of the most important responsibilities that a citizen can perform for their
community. The very backbone of our justice system is the ability for parties on opposite sides of a legal dispute to have the issues tried by a jury of their fellow citizens, their peers. It is recognized that jury service is not a particularly pleasant task. It interrupts our schedules, causes us to miss work, makes us have to reschedule our plans, and is a difficult endeavor. However, jury service is essential for the orderly functioning of our justice system.

Unfortunately, many of our Hendry County residents are shirking this essential and important service to our community. The courts, once again, are facing the problem of too many individuals ignoring their jury summons and choosing not to attend court to fulfill their civic duty. The inability to seat a jury due to lack of jurors “reporting for duty” is becoming more prevalent and causes a backlog in the court system

Once again, as happened several years ago, the courts are being forced to take action to ensure that citizens honor their mandated summons to appear as a juror. Commencing in April 2023 any juror not appearing for jury duty without a predetermined excusal by the clerk or the court, or absent some other exigent circumstances, will face a fine of $100 pursuant to current Florida law. In addition to the fine any person missing jury duty without being excused will be ordered to appear during a following jury trial cycle to fulfill their jury obligation. It is regrettable that the courts have been forced to once again activate this policy and there is a sincere hope that it can be discontinued in the near future.

James D. Sloan
Administrative Judge, Hendry County
20th Judicial Circuit

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