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

‘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