Criminal Division

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Circuit Criminal Court

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:

  • 1 circuit judge in DeSoto County
  • 3 circuit judges in Manatee County
  • 3 circuit judges in Sarasota County (all assigned to North Sarasota County)

County Criminal Court

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:

  • 1 county judge in DeSoto County
  • 2 county judges in Manatee County*
  • 3 county judges in North Sarasota County**
  • 2 county judges in South Sarasota County**

*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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Procedures for attorney access to clients within the Desoto County JailWe 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.

Circuit Criminal Division

Judge Don T. Hall

Scheduling Hearings
 

County Criminal Division

Judge Guy Flowers

Scheduling Hearings
 

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.

Circuit Criminal Division I, III and V

 

Circuit Criminal Division I

Judge Matt Whyte

Scheduling Hearings
 

Circuit Criminal Division III

Judge Frederick P Mercurio

Scheduling Hearings
 

Circuit Criminal Division V

Judge Teresa K. Dees

Scheduling Hearings
 

County Criminal Division 3

Judge Jacqueline B. Steele

Scheduling Hearings
 

County Criminal Division 4

Judge Melissa Gould

Scheduling Hearings
 

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.

Circuit Criminal Division II, IV and VI

 

Circuit Criminal Division II

Judge Donna Marie Padar

Scheduling Hearings
 

Circuit Criminal Division IV

Judge Thomas Krug

Scheduling Hearings
 

Circuit Criminal Division VI

Judge Dana Moss

Scheduling Hearings
 

County Criminal Division A

Judge Maryann Olson Uzabel

Scheduling Hearings
 

County Criminal Division B

Judge Kennedy Legler

Scheduling Hearings
 

County Criminal Division C

Scheduling Hearings
 

The South County area (Venice) holds County Criminal Court.

County Criminal South County Division E

Judge Erika Quartermaine

Scheduling Hearings
 

County Criminal South County Division F

Judge Shannon Hankin

Scheduling Hearings
 

South County Floating Courtroom F