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
Sunday Fish Fry celebrates friendship, books honor 'champions' At a Bradenton Kiwanis Club meeting on August 8th, Judge Smith talked about Volume 1 of his two-volume series on Bradenton Kiwanis’ 100 years of serving as “Champions of Children” and amateur auteurs Judge Williams and Retired Judge Adams teased their newest documentary. August 10, 2023 Read Full Article
New magistrate joins Circuit in South County Exciting things are happening in the South County Courthouse and throughout the Twelfth Judicial Circuit to increase citizens’ access to the courts. The Circuit is pleased to announce that the South County Courthouse has a new part-time General Magistrate now that Natalya Evans has joined the Circuit in this quasi-judicial officer role. August 03, 2023 Read Full Article
Judge Gould to again represent county judges on statewide organization Manatee County Court Judge Melissa Gould was recently re-elected as the Twelfth Judicial Circuit’s representative of the Conference of County Court Judges of Florida. She and other judicial representatives were sworn in by Florida Supreme Court Chief Justice Carlos Muñiz the week of July 17th. July 24, 2023 Read Full Article
Pretrial, Probation staff provides vital benefit to the community July 16-22 is Pretrial, Probation & Parole Supervision Week and we're sharing the work of our dedicated staff in Sarasota and DeSoto counties. July 18, 2023 Read Full Article