Circuit Judge Lon Arend

Judge Lon Arend takes problem-solving court to the people

Circuit Judge Lon Arend, administrative judge for the Problem Solving Court Division P, presides over Drug Court and Veterans Court in Manatee and Sarasota counties. When program leaders learned participants who reside in south Sarasota County were having trouble attending court, Judge Arend took the court to the people.

Judges bring valuable civics lessons to life

Twelfth Circuit judges have been providing a personal experience to local students and bringing valuable civics lessons to life, while engaging with them in the classroom and in the courtroom. Between January and February of this year, members of the judiciary have had an opportunity to explain the judicial system to more than 250 students of assorted ages, plus a handful of adult chaperones.

Accolades, Awards & Achievements

News, images of judges on & off the bench

Robe comes full circle

October 21, 2025

Judge Teri Dees is giving new life to a robe that belonged to a former judge, mentor and family friend.

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Judge swears in new attorney

September 29, 2025

Judge Susan Maulucci administered the Oath of Attorney to new staff attorney.

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Judges recognized for their work on juvenile bench

September 22, 2025

Judges Susan Maulucci and Gilbert A. Smith, Jr. were recognized by local child welfare officials at the recent Dependency Court Summitt in Orlando.

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‘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”.

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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.

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