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
Local judges involved in group that holds legal profession to higher standards The American Inns of Court recently celebrated its 35th anniversary. The organization is dedicated to fostering “professionalism, ethics, civility, and excellence,” in the legal field and judiciary through “example, education and mentoring.” At the local level, several judges are involved in chapters of the American Inns of Court, and they have kicked off their membership year with new officers, including Judge Dana Moss and Judge Jacqueline Steele, who are helming their respective organizations as president. October 12, 2023 Read Full Article
Judicial Circuit Assessment Committee hears public testimony October 13 in Tampa The Judicial Circuit Assessment Committee (JCAC) will hold a public hearing beginning at 10 a.m. (EDT) on Friday, October 13, 2023, at the George Edgecomb Courthouse, 800 East Twiggs Street in Tampa. October 12, 2023 Read Full Article
Options Court aims to give youth power to feel safe On October 9th Circuit Judge Andrea McHugh presided over the Twelfth Circuit’s first session of Options Court. Modeled after a program in the Thirteenth Circuit, Options Court is focused on youths in delinquency and dependency court who have a history of running away from home. October 11, 2023 Read Full Article
Legal group to offer free simple will prep Legal Aid of Manasota and the 12th Judicial Circuit Pro Bono Committee will host an event on Saturday, October 21st, for Newtown residents to meet with an attorney to have a simple will drafted and signed. October 10, 2023 Read Full Article
Attorneys: Apply now for a JCID Attorneys looking for a faster way to get through the security checkpoint at judicial centers in Bradenton and Sarasota have until November 30, 2023, to submit their application for the JCID card, which will be valid until November 30, 2024. October 02, 2023 Read Full Article
Judges meet, learn from peers at national child welfare conference Circuit Judges Teri Dees and Andrea McHugh recently attended the 17th annual Cross Sites Meeting in National Harbor, MD, just outside Washington, D.C. The theme this year was focused on “growing connections, capacity and relationships.” The Cross Sites Meeting is a program of ZERO TO THREE, an organization committed to ensuring that babies and toddlers are given a “strong start in life.” August 24, 2023 Read Full Article