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. February 29, 2024 Read Full Article
Twelfth Judicial Circuit mourns loss of Judge Harry Rapkin The Twelfth Judicial Circuit Court is sad to share that retired Circuit Judge Harry M. Rapkin died on February 21st. He was 82 years old. February 26, 2024 Read Full Article
Judge reflects on the importance of patience, empathy in legal system Circuit Judge Charles Williams sat down with Heather Dunhill to talk about growing up in St. Petersburg, his academic experiences and the importance of patience and empathy as a public servant. February 01, 2024 Read Full Article
Judge Flowers encourages students to find the fun in reading DeSoto County Judge Guy Flowers read to students at West Elementary School in Arcadia to mark Literacy Week (January 22-26) and help raise awareness about the importance of reading. January 26, 2024 Read Full Article
Judge swears in young ‘leaders of tomorrow’ On December 6th Circuit Judge Rochelle Curley participated in a swearing in ceremony at Girls Inc. of Sarasota County to welcome the newly elected officials for their created community called Dream Harbor. December 11, 2023 Read Full Article
Local Judicial Nominating Committee seeks applicants for judicial vacancy The Twelfth Circuit Judicial Nominating Commission has been asked to provide Gov. Ron DeSantis with nominees for a vacancy for judgeship in the Sarasota County Court, created by Sarasota County Judge David Ryan Felix’s elevation to the Circuit Court. December 04, 2023 Read Full Article
Nineteen children find forever homes on National Adoption Day The three judges that preside over juvenile court in Manatee and Sarasota counties took part in the Safe Children Coalition’s National Adoption Day festivities on November 16th by finalizing the adoptions of 19 children into 10 forever families. November 22, 2023 Read Full Article
Don't fall for this scam! There appears to be a local scam targeting our Hispanic residents – please don’t fall for this. The court has recently received several phone calls to the Court Interpreter request line from limited-English-speaking callers who were contacted by someone allegedly “on behalf of the court”. November 22, 2023 Read Full Article
Amnesty Court paves way for Veterans to get back on the road At the Fair Grounds in Palmetto, in a room adorned with nutrition and food posters and colorful prints of labels from vegetable crates, the veterans began filling out their paperwork shortly after 8 a.m. on Saturday, November 4th and waited for a chance to appear before Circuit Judge Lon Arend, the presiding judge of Veterans Amnesty Court. November 08, 2023 Read Full Article
It's Mediation Week and we are celebrating the department Florida Supreme Court Chief Justice Carlos Muñiz recently signed a proclamation declaring the week of October 15 through 21, 2023, as Mediation Week. October 16, 2023 Read Full Article