The Honorable Matt Whyte

The Honorable Matt Whyte

Circuit Court Judge


  • Division Circuit Criminal Felony I - Manatee County
  • Chamber Manatee County Judicial Center
  • Courtroom 6A
  • Requirements & Information
  • Judicial Assistant Kelly
  • Phone (941) 749-3611

Notice Pursuant to Canon 3 of the Florida Code of Judicial Conduct

PLEASE BE ADVISED that from approximately January 3, 2017, through November 7, 2019, Judge Whyte served as General Counsel and Director of Human Resources for Angelina “Angel” Colonneso, Manatee County Clerk of the Circuit Court and Comptroller. As General Counsel, Judge Whyte did not participate in substantive child support matters, including establishment or enforcement, and did not personally represent the interests of any party to child support actions brought by or through the Florida Department of Revenue. However, as General Counsel, Judge Whyte reviewed and provided legal opinion regarding the Clerk of Court’s contract with the Florida Department of Revenue as well as routinely interacted with the Clerk of Court staff that handled Title IV-D child support matters.

From approximately July, 2013, through approximately December, 2016, Judge Whyte was a shareholder with the law firm of Kirk Pinkerton in Sarasota, Florida.

From approximately 1998-2013, Judge Whyte was an Assistant State Attorney in the 12th Judicial Circuit, worked as an associate with the law firm Dickinson and Gibbons in Sarasota, Florida, and was a law partner of Steven G. Lavely, Esq.

See Florida Statutes 38.01-38.10, Florida Code of Judicial Conduct Canon 3, and Florida Rule of Judicial Administration 2.330.


Education

  • J.D. Stetson University College of Law 1998
  • M.B.A. Stetson University 2004
  • B.S. – University of Central Florida 1993
NOTICE TO THE PUBLIC: The Code of Judicial Conduct governing behavior by judges forbids the Judges of the Twelfth Judicial Circuit to discuss pending cases with the public. Please do not call or email the Court expecting to speak with a Judge about any case. The Court is only allowed to consider arguments made in the courtroom and in documents properly filed by actual parties in the case as authorized by law and the Rules of Court. The Court cannot ethically read or consider any other opinions or arguments about the case. Communications that do not meet these legal requirements cannot be forwarded to the Judges.