Traveling exhibit arrives at Manatee County Judicial Center James Weldon Johnson, Anna Brenner Meyers, Judge Mario Goderich, Larry D. Smith and James “Jim” Kracht may not have understood the importance of their place in Florida’s legal community, but these five attorneys hold the key to the state bar’s path to inclusivity. The portraits have arrived in the Twelfth Judicial Circuit and will be displayed in the Manatee County Judicial Center through January 19. January 09, 2023 Read Full Article
Thank you for your service, sweet boy Cracker, a beloved golden retriever in the Twelfth Judicial Circuit's pet therapy program, died in December. He was 7 years old. January 04, 2023 Read Full Article
New appellate court opens for filings January 1 The Sixth District Court of Appeal is set to open for filings on January 1. 2023. It is the first new appellate court since 1979. Judicial circuits were realigned to create the new appellate court and redefine the boundaries of the First, Second, and Fifth DCAs. The Twelfth Judicial Circuit falls under the Second DCA. December 27, 2022 Read Full Article
Judge Williams's volunteerism helps kids fill their buckets On November 15, Judge Williams read to students at Gocio Elementary School during Embracing Our Differences "Bucket Fillers Reading Day", where 8,300 students in 450 classrooms throughout Sarasota and Manatee counties went home with author Carol McCloud’s books! December 07, 2022 Read Full Article
Trailblazing judges to be honored at Path to Unity event In a celebration of diversity in the Florida Bar, Judge Rochelle Curley and Senior Judge Janette Dunnigan will be honored at an upcoming event sponsored by the Manatee chapter of Florida Association of Women Lawyers and the Sarasota-Manatee chapter of the Fred G. Minnis, Sr., Bar Association. Reserve your spot now! December 07, 2022 Read Full Article
Changes coming to County Court jurisdiction in 2023 County Court jurisdictional changes go into effect January 1, 2023, shifting where a variety of court actions are heard. Locally, the Manatee County Court bench will see some changes on January 1, too. December 07, 2022 Read Full Article
Sarasota County Judge Dana Moss elevated to circuit judge Congratulations to Judge Dana Moss and Judge-elect Guy Flowers. On November 11, 2022, Governor Ron DeSantis elevated Sarasota County Judge Moss to the Circuit Court Bench and appointed Guy Flowers to the DeSoto County Court Bench. November 28, 2022 Read Full Article
Judge's CLE workshop focused on injunction hearings in Family Court Judge Teri Dees addressed 22 local attorneys at a continuing legal education workshop on Nov. 4 at the Manatee County Judicial Center. Judge Dees, who presides over Circuit Family Division 4 and Early Childhood Court, spoke about injunction proceedings in Unified Family Court. November 08, 2022 Read Full Article
Amnesty Court gives Veterans a chance to get back on the road Chief Judge Charles Roberts listens to a veteran during a session of Amnesty Court on November 5, 2022, at the 24th annual Stand Down Manatee event. The specialty court is a yearly component of Stand Down events, which links veterans who are homeless or on the verge of homelessness with agencies that can provide services. November 08, 2022 Read Full Article
Purple ribbons spotlight awareness of domestic violence Special events and activities across Florida and the country are putting a spotlight on Domestic Violence this month. People of all ages, socio-economic status, sexual orientation, gender, race, religion, or national origin are affected by domestic violence. October 24, 2022 Read Full Article