News Summary
Judge Francis J. Allman has reported significant ‘Neglect of Duty’ issues regarding the Leon County Clerk’s Office, citing excessive delays and errors that compromise court records. These concerns have led to a formal request for action to the Florida Supreme Court Chief Justice. The Clerk, Gwen Marshall, acknowledged the challenges faced due to funding and staffing, while stating her office is implementing improvements. This situation highlights the ongoing tensions surrounding judicial clerical operations in light of increasing case filings.
TALLAHASSEE — Judge Francis J. Allman of the Second Judicial Circuit has reported serious concerns of “Neglect of Duty” regarding the Leon County Clerk of the Circuit Court & Comptroller’s Office led by Clerk Gwen Marshall, prompting a formal request to Florida Supreme Court Chief Justice Carlos Muñiz for action. The allegations were detailed in a letter dated June 27, 2025, which gained public attention in mid-July.
In his letter, Judge Allman highlighted a troubling pattern of excessive delays and ongoing filing and docketing errors that have resulted in inaccurate court records. He expressed that these errors potentially compromise the due process of defendants and raise safety issues. The judge noted that complaints regarding the Clerk’s Office have surfaced from various stakeholders, including public defenders, private attorneys, judges, investigators, and members of the media.
Among the specific incidents cited in Allman’s letter are two high-profile cases. In one instance, a wrongful arrest occurred due to an incorrect docket entry, leading to the unnecessary detention of an individual without judicial authorization. In another situation, a no-bond warrant was not properly entered, resulting in a probation violator being wrongly released on bond. Further issues included sensitive information from a notable case being unintentionally made public and the inaccessibility of important documents that should be widely available, ultimately impacting attorneys and media representatives.
In response to Judge Allman’s concerns, Clerk Gwen Marshall acknowledged that her office is currently facing challenges related to funding, staffing, and administrative pressures. While she recognized that mistakes do happen, Marshall emphasized that her office is actively working on improvements through new training protocols and procedural enhancements. According to her counsel, as of June 2025, all pending pleadings are up to date and meet standard filing requirements, as monitored by the Florida Clerks of Court Operations Corporation.
Marshall’s office attributes the issues raised by Judge Allman to an increase in case filings coupled with staffing shortages, suggesting that these factors have contributed to the alleged deficiencies in service. The concerns raised in Allman’s letter served as a formal notification of neglect of duty to Chief Justice Muñiz, as mandated by Rule 2.215(l) of the Florida Rules of General Practice and Judicial Administration.
As of now, Chief Justice Muñiz has received the complaint but has not made any public statements or actions regarding the matter.
Gwen Marshall’s tenure as Clerk began in November 2016, marking a historic achievement as she became the first woman and the first African American to occupy the role. Before her election, she dedicated 17 years to the Florida Association of Clerk Courts and Comptrollers, providing her with a wealth of experience in court operations.
As this situation unfolds, it underscores the greater tensions surrounding the functioning of court systems and the clerical offices that support them. The balancing act between adequate staffing, resources, and the demand for efficient public service remains a critical issue not just in Leon County but across judicial systems nationwide.
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Additional Resources
- Tallahassee.com: Gwen Marshall Denies Neglect of Duty
- Florida Politics: Miami-Dade Clerk’s Office
- WTXL: Judge Accuses Leon County Clerk’s Office
- Sun-Sentinel: Desantis Appoints Republican Clerk
- Tallahassee.com: Florida Judge Reports Systemic Failure
- Wikipedia: Clerk of the Circuit Court
- Google Search: Leon County Clerk
- Google Scholar: Neglect of Duty in Court
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Court
- Google News: Court Clerk Neglect of Duty
Author: STAFF HERE TALLAHASSEE WRITER
The TALLAHASSEE STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HERETallahassee.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Tallahassee, Leon County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as Springtime Tallahassee, Tallahassee Jazz & Blues Festival, and LeMoyne Chain of Parks Art Festival. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Greater Tallahassee Chamber of Commerce and United Way of the Big Bend, plus leading businesses in education, healthcare, and insurance that power the local economy such as Florida State University, Tallahassee Memorial HealthCare, and Capital Health Plan. As part of the broader HERE network, including HEREJacksonville.com, HEREOrlando.com, HEREStPetersburg.com, and HERETampa.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Florida's dynamic landscape.
