Adverse Witness
SARAMILES INTERVIEW
ADVERSEWITNESS AW
I actually had covered a few trials (both civil and criminal) in the 20th Circuit so I understood what a reporter would be looking from a PIO for when I got the job here. It was also nice to be familiar with the courtrooms and courthouses in Southwest Florida. What is great about being a reporter is being able to talk to different people and ask all sorts of questions. Interviewing attorneys ultimately helped me understand the judiciary and the legal field.
What do you want members of the CCBA to know about what you do? It is especially important that Courts have Public Information Officers. With Florida having a broad public records laws and court proceedings that allow cameras in the courtroom, we serve as the first point of contact for the media as well as members of the public. One of our goals is to generate positive goodwill and understanding of the judiciary and the court system. This can be done through building constructive relationships with the media, stakeholders, and the public; showcasing positive news either in a press release, on social media, or in a newsletter; or through community outreach (Speakers Bureaus, Law Day, Mock Trials, Take Your Child to Work, etc.), to name a few. Court PIO’s are also especially helpful in getting the word out about “self-help” resources for self-represented litigants.
What is FCPIO and what is your role in the organization?
FCPIO stands for Florida Court Public Information Officers. We are the only state to have a group of PIO’s representing the Court System. It is made up of PIO’s and/or their designees in all 20 Circuits, DCA’s, Supreme Court, Florida Bar, and theOSCA (Office of the State Courts Administrator). As an organization we strive to improve the administration of justice and promote community education about the judiciary whether it be though social media, websites, mock trials, tours, speaking engagements, etc. The mission of FCPIO is to promote professional education of Florida’s court public information officers, to encourage their professionalism, to promote and encourage the use of best practices and ethical behavior by its members, and to serve the communities in which their courts dispense justice.
I am in my first year as President of FCPIO. More about FCPIO can be found here: http://www.fcpio.org/aboutus.shtml
September 2020 Vol. 192
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