Day Care for Jurors

Orlando - - A Place for Children, the child-care center in the Orange County Courthouse for families with official court business, has expanded its services to include children of prospective jurors. As of January 2, 2002, A Place for Children, located on the second floor of the Courthouse, will provide free child care for people who have been summoned for jury duty.

The Jury Innovations Committee, chaired by County Judge Antoinette Plogstedt, is responsible for the idea to encourage more people to serve jury duty. "The Judges want jury service to be available to all members of the community," stated the Judge. "Parents that have young children and are not employed full time, may opt out of jury service. However, now these parents can exercise their right to serve on a jury." The Judge further stated, "The Courthouse is already providing valuable supervision for the children of persons who conduct business in the Courthouse, including attending court hearings. It makes perfect sense to extend that service to all of the community."

A Place for Children opened in spring 1998 and provides child care to children up to the age of 14 from 8:00 a.m. until 5:00 p.m. The Children’s Home Society of Florida, a nonprofit social services agency, runs the center. The concept of a children’s center was derived from the concern shared by Judge Cynthia Mackinnon and then Orange County Chairman Linda W. Chapin for children who were accompanying a caregiver to the Courthouse. Judge Mackinnon has stated, "Without everyone’s support, A Place for Children wouldn’t exist. It is my hope that A Place for Children will serve as a pilot for other courthouses across the state and country."

A Place for Children strengthens children and families for the future. It is a point of contact between the public and the Court system, which as the potential to renew and foster public trust in the Courts, helping people in our community to see the Courts as a place where citizens are empowered and solutions can be found.

For additional information, please contact Karen Levey, Director of Communications and Public Affairs, at 407-836-2047.