The Honorable Melissa Gould
County Court Judge
Judicial Service
Began service on the County Court Bench - January 2021
Background
Judge Gould currently serves as a Manatee County Court Judge. She presides over county criminal and civil divisions.
She was elected to the bench by finishing first among four candidates for this position in the August 2020 election, and subsequently won the runoff election in November 2020.
Judge Gould’s academic credentials include a law degree from the City University of New York School of Law. While at CUNY, she interned with a New York Supreme Court Judge. She furthered her legal education by obtaining a Master of Law (LL.M) degree from the University of Cambridge in the U.K.
As a former misdemeanor, felony, and specialty prosecutor, she prosecuted cases involving sexual battery, domestic violence, child abuse, exploitation of the elderly, trafficking and selling narcotics, DUI, animal cruelty, while-collar crime and burglary, among others.
Prior to becoming an Assistant State Attorney, Judge Gould worked in civil litigation, business and contract law, consumer protection, discrimination actions against employers, and malpractice suits against professionals. In addition, she was a university lecturer teaching courses on Family Law, Constitutional Law, and Judicial Process.
Judge Gould is an active community volunteer. She is married and has two young children. She enjoys spending time with her family, working out, going to the beach and to movies.
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.