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468 So. 2d 261

468 So.2d 261

10 Fla.L.Weekly 486

Klaver v. Mander

District Court of Appeal of Florida

Decided February 22, 1985

District Court of Appeal of Florida · decided 1985-02-22

Cited by 2 later decisions — most recently October 1990

2 state decisions

Relies on 403 So. 2d 1111 - Baker v. Baker · 405 So. 2d 287 - McKay v. Jenkins

Good law ✅— No negative treatment on recordhow we know

Decided 1985-02-22

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LEHAN, Judge.

¶1We affirm the circuit court’s transfer to the county court of this civil action by an incarcerated plaintiff.

¶2Plaintiff contends that he was entitled to be present at the hearing on defendant’s motion to dismiss, citing Baker v. Baker, 403 So.2d 1111 (Fla. 2d DCA 1981) and McKay v. Jenkins, 405 So.2d 287 (Fla. 1st DCA 1981). We disagree. Although Bakerand McKayexpress concern over the opportunity of an incarcerated defendant to appear in person or through counsel, neither involves a situation, as here, where the incarcerated person is plaintiff. In fact, McKayspecifically distinguishes the situation in which the person is plaintiff in a civil suit. 405 So.2d at 289.

¶3Plaintiffs due process rights were not violated. The trial court recognized plaintiff’s situation, wrote the plaintiff, and specifically gave him the opportunity to file a brief in opposition to the motion. The trial court also suggested that if plaintiff desired representation, he should obtain an attorney. After the hearing on the motion to dismiss, the trial court again wrote to plaintiff and gave him time to respond. Plaintiff did respond by filing a brief. Six weeks later the trial court transferred the case to the county court, finding that the amount in controversy was not the amount requisite for circuit court jurisdiction.

¶4Affirmed.

CAMPBELL, A.C.J., and FRANK, J., concur.
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