28 Feb February News Round Up Say I Do, Again | Love was in the air at the annual Say I Do Again events at sunset on Valentine’s Day on Nokomis Beach and Siesta Key Beach, where Sarasota County Judge Shannon Hankin and Circuit Judge Stephen Walker presided over the mass wedding vow renewal ceremonies. Courtesy of Sarasota County Government Veterans Amnesty Court | Judge Lon Arend, Assistant State Attorney Andrew Van Sickle, Assistant Public Defender Terry Drake, a host of deputies from Sarasota County Sheriff's Office, as well as staff from Veterans Affairs and Drug Court held a Veterans Amnesty Court session at the Stand Down Sarasota event on Feb. 22nd. The Court aims to help veterans settle their legal financial obligations (LFOs) – unpaid traffic fines and fees – into a payment plan or converting the LFOs into public service hours, depending on their situation. Judge Arend asked each veteran about their service, where they served and for how long. He listened to what brought each person before him that day and explained what the Court could do to help them satisfy their LFOs. After one veteran arranged a payment plan and he realized the court paved the way for him to reinstate his driver’s license, he said, “You saved my life. You saved my children’s lives.” SSAS civics students visit SJC | Circuit Judge Andrea McHugh hosted civics class for students from the Sarasota School for the Arts and Sciences recently at the Silvertooth Judicial Center. The students heard a presentation from Judge McHugh before she answered students’ questions. The group then observed a criminal sentencing hearing with Circuit Judge Dana Moss. Judges, attorneys connect over coffee | Judges and members of the Manatee County Bar Association attended the annual morning mingle known as Java with the Judges, which historically coincides with the 2nd District Court of Appeal judges holding oral arguments in town. Unfortunately, the 2nd DCA judges had to cancel their session but that left more time for attorneys to spend with the local bench. Networking between practicing lawyers and judges is important. The Florida Bar explains: “Sharing knowledge and experiences not only aids in the professional development of others but also strengthens the bonds that hold the legal profession together.” Legal professionals receive history lesson | Speaking of making connections and strengthening the legal profession, our community is fortunate to have Circuit Judge Gilbert A. Smith, Jr. (third from left) as the unofficial custodian of the circuit’s history. His book, “Lawyers & Legends of Manatee County (Second Edition),” offers a look into the rich, colorful and sometimes problematic past of our community from 1855 to 2024. At a recent Manatee County Bar Association luncheon, Judge Smith discussed the book, what he learned during his research for its second edition (the first edition spanned 1855 to 2012), and how he hopes members of the judiciary and voluntary bar associations continue their tradition of supporting the administration of justice, encouraging a sense of comradery among the bench and bar, mentoring younger lawyers and instilling a sense of service through pro bono work, public service as an elected or appointed official, or belonging to a civic organization whose goal is to provide service to the community. Return to News List