Florida Circuit Criminal Courts have jurisdiction in all criminal felonies, offenses that are punishable by imprisonment in a state penitentiary or death. In total, seven circuit judges are assigned to the Twelfth Circuit Criminal Division:
Florida County Courts have jurisdiction over criminal traffic cases and misdemeanor criminal cases. A misdemeanor is any offense punishable by imprisonment in a county jail for less than one year. In total, eight county judges are assigned to the Twelfth Circuit’s County Criminal Division:
*In Manatee County, two judges are assigned full time to the County Criminal division. **In Sarasota County, five judges are assigned part time to two divisions: County Criminal and County Civil.
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We are in constant communication with our county clerks and law enforcement officials as well as other elected officials and health authorities. We will continue to update this site as the situation develops. We are also working with our sheriffs, state attorney and public defender to address those inmates who may be eligible for release or who can resolve their cases without further incarceration. View procedures for attorney access to clients within the Desoto County Jail.
The criminal division in DeSoto County is further divided into Divisions I, II. The following sections contain requirements, forms, and trial dockets for each division.
Judge Don T. Hall
Judge Guy Flowers
The criminal division in Manatee County is further divided into Divisions I, III and V. The following sections contain requirements, forms, and trial dockets for each division.
Judge Matt Whyte
Judge Frederick P Mercurio
Judge Teresa K. Dees
Judge Jacqueline B. Steele
Judge Melissa Gould
The criminal division in Sarasota County is further divided into Divisions II, IV and VI. The following sections contain requirements, forms, and trial dockets for each division.
Judge Donna Marie Padar
Judge Thomas Krug
Judge Dana Moss
Judge Maryann Olson Uzabel
Judge Kennedy Legler
Judge David Denkin
The South County area (Venice) holds County Criminal Court.
Judge Erika Quartermaine
Judge Shannon Hankin