Judge swears in young ‘leaders of tomorrow’ On December 6th Circuit Judge Rochelle Curley participated in a swearing in ceremony at Girls Inc. of Sarasota County to welcome the newly elected officials for their created community called Dream Harbor. December 11, 2023 Read Full Article
Local Judicial Nominating Committee seeks applicants for judicial vacancy The Twelfth Circuit Judicial Nominating Commission has been asked to provide Gov. Ron DeSantis with nominees for a vacancy for judgeship in the Sarasota County Court, created by Sarasota County Judge David Ryan Felix’s elevation to the Circuit Court. December 04, 2023 Read Full Article
Nineteen children find forever homes on National Adoption Day The three judges that preside over juvenile court in Manatee and Sarasota counties took part in the Safe Children Coalition’s National Adoption Day festivities on November 16th by finalizing the adoptions of 19 children into 10 forever families. November 22, 2023 Read Full Article
Don't fall for this scam! There appears to be a local scam targeting our Hispanic residents – please don’t fall for this. The court has recently received several phone calls to the Court Interpreter request line from limited-English-speaking callers who were contacted by someone allegedly “on behalf of the court”. November 22, 2023 Read Full Article
Amnesty Court paves way for Veterans to get back on the road At the Fair Grounds in Palmetto, in a room adorned with nutrition and food posters and colorful prints of labels from vegetable crates, the veterans began filling out their paperwork shortly after 8 a.m. on Saturday, November 4th and waited for a chance to appear before Circuit Judge Lon Arend, the presiding judge of Veterans Amnesty Court. November 08, 2023 Read Full Article
Opportunity for MDs and DOs in Guardianship cases Doctors of medicine (MDs) and doctors of osteopathic medicine (DOs) are a necessary component in Guardianship proceedings but the Twelfth Judicial Circuit does not have enough physicians to meet the growing need. We have an opportunity that offers physicians another outlet to care for their community by helping protect its most vulnerable citizens in court proceedings. October 19, 2023 Read Full Article
It's Mediation Week and we are celebrating the department Florida Supreme Court Chief Justice Carlos Muñiz recently signed a proclamation declaring the week of October 15 through 21, 2023, as Mediation Week. October 16, 2023 Read Full Article
Local judges involved in group that holds legal profession to higher standards The American Inns of Court recently celebrated its 35th anniversary. The organization is dedicated to fostering “professionalism, ethics, civility, and excellence,” in the legal field and judiciary through “example, education and mentoring.” At the local level, several judges are involved in chapters of the American Inns of Court, and they have kicked off their membership year with new officers, including Judge Dana Moss and Judge Jacqueline Steele, who are helming their respective organizations as president. October 12, 2023 Read Full Article
Judicial Circuit Assessment Committee hears public testimony October 13 in Tampa The Judicial Circuit Assessment Committee (JCAC) will hold a public hearing beginning at 10 a.m. (EDT) on Friday, October 13, 2023, at the George Edgecomb Courthouse, 800 East Twiggs Street in Tampa. October 12, 2023 Read Full Article
Options Court aims to give youth power to feel safe On October 9th Circuit Judge Andrea McHugh presided over the Twelfth Circuit’s first session of Options Court. Modeled after a program in the Thirteenth Circuit, Options Court is focused on youths in delinquency and dependency court who have a history of running away from home. October 11, 2023 Read Full Article