This is a photo of nine people standing in front of a building preparing to cut an oversized green ribbon

New courthouse means 'access to justice for all of us'

The South County Courthouse in Venice was officially celebrated with a ribbon cutting ceremony on May 4. Representatives from Sarasota County Government, Circuit Judge Kimberly Bonner, and Clerk and Comptroller Karen Rushing spoke about the building and what it means to the citizens of south Sarasota County.

This is an image of Judge Kimberly Carlton Bonner and the seal logo of the Twelfth Judicial Circuit

Judge Kimberly Bonner announces retirement

Circuit Judge Kimberly Carlton Bonner has announced her retirement in a May 2 letter to Governor Ron DeSantis. Judge Bonner was appointed to the Sarasota County Court bench in 2002 and was elevated to the Circuit Court bench in 2013.

This is a photo of a doctor talking with a patient sitting on an examination table

Doctors play integral role in legal Guardianship cases

Doctors occasionally find themselves on the frontline of protecting our most vulnerable citizens from exploitation, abuse and neglect in emergency rooms or in private practice. Did you know that doctors also play a part in protecting vulnerable citizens in legal Guardianship proceedings?

Photo of youth in a courtroom

Teen Court's grant highlights benefits of youth diversion programs

Sarasota’s Teen Court program was recently awarded a $125,000 grant from the Charles & Margery Barancik Foundation. On its Facebook page, Teen Court of Sarasota said the grant “will address our 30% increase in referrals” and give youth a second chance by teaching them tools to make better decisions. Sarasota County’s Juvenile Court Judge Debra Riva said diversion programs are beneficial for all involved.

Accolades, Awards & Achievements

News, images of judges on & off the bench

‘Listen more, speak less’

September 5, 2025

Sarasota County Judge David Denkin has retired after two decades on the bench. He was instrumental in establishing Sarasota's DUI Court, a problem-solving court for repeat DUI offenders. Read the article published in the Sarasota Herald-Tribune about his “legacy of second chances”.

Continue reading

Chief Judge honored with 2025 Chief Justice Award for Judicial Excellence

August 4, 2025

Twelfth Judicial Circuit Chief Judge Diana Moreland was presented with the Florida Supreme Court’s 2025 Chief Justice Award for Judicial Excellence, honoring her service to and leadership within Florida’s judicial branch.

Continue reading

Sarasota Club puts Judge Briggs into 4-H Hall of Fame

July 29, 2025

Retired Sarasota County Judge Barbara Briggs has been selected for induction into the Florida 4-H Hall of Fame. The induction ceremony is July 31st in Gainesville. Judge Briggs, who retired in 2010, has continued to serve her community and helped foster a new generation of 4-H students.

Read more

Judges, Sarasota Bar honor scholarship recipient

July 1, 2025

Judges Kevin Bruning, Rochelle Curley, Stephen Walker and Charles Williams, along with members of the Sarasota County Bar Association (SCBA) Council for Diversity and Inclusion recently attended a reception to honor the 2025 Richard R. Garland Scholarship recipient, Aryione’ Bass.

Continue reading