Networking, sharing history, and helping veterans

This is a photograph of a male judge dressed in a black robe reaching to shake the hand of a man seated at a table. There are five other people -- four men and one woman -- seated at the table, some watching the judge, others looking at computer screens. — Circuit Judge Stephen walker reaches for the hand of a veteran at the conclusion of a hearing at a recent session of Veterans Amnesty Court.

Legal community helps veterans in Amnesty Court

Twelfth Circuit Judge Stephen Walker presided over another session of Veterans Amnesty Court on Saturday, February 21st. Once a year, the legal community holds an informal court session designed to help veterans address outstanding legal financial obligations (LFOs) from unpaid traffic citations and closed court cases, fees and fines that are often the last roadblock holding back an individual from obtaining a driver’s license.

The venue changed from Robarts Arena to the downtown Sarasota campus of the Health and Human Services Center. What didn’t change was the spirit of the volunteers providing a day of community, connection and honor to veterans in need. Judge Walker, Assistant Public Defender Terry Drake, Assistant State Attorney Andrew VanSickle, deputy clerks from the Sarasota Clerk’s Office, a representative from the Veterans Administration, and Sarasota County Sheriff’s deputies, gathered in a small conference room to conduct Veterans Amnesty Court.

This limited-focus problem-solving court allows veterans opportunities to address unpaid LFOs and unpaid traffic violations that create a barrier to regaining driving privileges. The court evaluates each veteran based on the individual’s situation and after taking that into consideration, the judge has the discretion to reduce, waive or convert LFOs to public service work hours. If the veteran’s situation falls outside the limited scope of the Amnesty Court, the individual can receive guidance from the public defender and prosecutor’s office regarding steps he or she could take to potentially resolve the matter.

As he stood, Judge Walker offered his hand to shake as he introduced himself to each veteran and asked their name. He asked each about their time in the service, what branch and when they served.

The judge tried to put the veterans at ease; despite its informality, one could still sense the importance of the hearing. The veterans told stories of being in a better place and trying to move forward. Some seemed nervous or ashamed, evidenced by soft voices and body language.

Judge Walker, Ms. Drake and Mr. VanSickle conferred and when the law allowed them, they would draft orders for the judge to sign converting LFOs to public service work hours or waiving the cost of supervision. Judge Walker was fair but supportive. “You have some charges that are troubling but you’re doing the right thing by trying to change your situation,” he told one veteran. He encouraged another veteran to let go of the shame of past behavior. “We’ve all done things we’re not proud of; you can’t let your mistakes define you.”

This is a photograph of people gathered in a space, talking and mingling over coffee and pastries.

Local judges and attorneys enjoyed the annual Java with the Judges event.

This is a photograph of three judges, two men and one woman, sitting in a courtroom listening to a lawyer speak from a lectern in front of them.

Second District Court of Appeal judges presided over Oral Arguments in Manatee County. From left: Judge Daniel H. Sleet; Chief Judge Matthew C. Lucas; and Judge Susan H. Rothstein-Youakim.

This is a photograph of ten people: six men and four women, all judges in the Twelfth Judicial Circuit.

Judge Smith's colleagues attended the MCBA general meeting luncheon/history lesson to support their friend.

Legal community enjoys networking and camaraderie with a side of history

Judges from the Second District Court of Appeal held Oral Arguments in the Manatee County Judicial Center on February 25th, and the legal community had several opportunities to network with the visiting jurists. First they enjoyed coffee and pastries at the annual Java with the Judges event, sponsored by the Manatee County Bar Association. Next, at the MCBA’s general meeting luncheon, the appellate judges were entertained with a history lesson by the circuit’s “resident historian,” Circuit Judge Gilbert Smith, Jr.

The morning was crisp and bright, and the Layon Robinson Law Library provided the perfect backdrop for MCBA’s annual morning social event, Java with the Judges, which coincides with the Second District Court of Appeal judges presiding over Oral Arguments in Manatee County. Members of the local bench and Bar enjoyed a morning of networking and fellowship with their appellate court guests: Judge Daniel H. Sleet, Chief Judge Matthew C. Lucas, and Judge Susan H. Rothstein-Youakim.

At the MCBA’s general luncheon meeting held at Kiwanis Hall on the 2nd floor of the Manatee Performing Arts Center, members and judges were treated to a history lesson of the local judiciary. It is a subject close to Judge Smith’s heart, whose father played a large part of our history and later became a local legend.

Chief Judge Diana Moreland introduced Judge Smith, who has written several books chronicling the history of the circuit’s legal professionals. His latest book, the first of a two-volume series, “Legends of the Bench,” is currently in publication. It takes a deep dive into the men and women who have contributed to the fabric of the judiciary in the Twelfth Circuit. The first volume delights with tales of judges in the 1800s who arrived in Braidentown by boat and trekked by horse and wagon about 50 miles east to conduct court at Pine Level, through the 1970s and into our current three-county jurisdictional area. The second volume promises to give readers a glimpse of the local court from the 1980s to the current bench.