Florida Circuit Criminal Courts have jurisdiction in all criminal felonies and also hear appeals from the County Courts. Felonies are criminal offenses that are punishable by imprisonment in a state penitentiary or death. The 12th Circuit Criminal Division has four Circuit Judges in Sarasota County, four Circuit Judges in Manatee County, and two Circuit Judges in DeSoto County.
Florida County Courts have jurisdiction over criminal traffic cases and misdemeanor criminal cases. A misdemeanor is any criminal offense punishable by imprisonment in a county correctional facility for less than one year. The County Criminal Division has four County Judges in Sarasota County, three County Judges in Manatee County, and one County Judge in DeSoto County.
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The criminal division in DeSoto County is further divided into Divisions I, II. The following sections contain requirements, forms, and trial dockets for each division.
Judge Don T. Hall
Judge Danielle Brewer
The criminal division in Manatee County is further divided into Divisions I, III and V. The following sections contain requirements, forms, and trial dockets for each division.
Judge Charles Sniffen *** Judge Gilbert Smith Jr. Effective January 22nd ***
Judge Brian Iten
Judge Frederick P Mercurio (Effective January 7, 2019)
Judge Edward Nicholas
Judge Renee Inman
Judge Robert A. Farrance
Judge K. Douglas Henderson
Judge Mark Singer
The criminal division in Sarasota County is further divided into Divisions II, IV and VI. The following sections contain requirements, forms, and trial dockets for each division.
Judge Stephen Walker
Judge Charles Roberts
Judge Debra Riva
Judge Judy Goldman
Judge Erika Quartermaine
Judge David Denkin
Judge Phyllis Galen
The South County area (Venice) holds County Criminal Court.
Judge Maryann Boehm