Administrative Judges

The following Judicial Assignments are effective July 3, 2023
  • Chief Judge
    Honorable Diana L. Moreland
  • Acting Chief Judge (Absence of Chief Judge)
    Honorable Frederick P. Mercurio
  • DeSoto County Administrative Judge
    Honorable Don T. Hall
  • Manatee County Administrative Judge
    Honorable Frederick P. Mercurio
  • Sarasota County Administrative Judge
    Honorable Hunter W. Carroll
Circuit Court Administrative Judges
  • Civil Division - Sarasota
    Honorable Hunter W. Carroll
  • Civil Division - Manatee
    Honorable Charles Sniffen
  • Unified Family Court (Desoto, Manatee and Sarasota counties - has operational authority to implement UFC policy and procedures circuit wide)
    Honorable Teresa K. Dees
  • Family Division - Sarasota
    Honorable Maria Ruhl
  • Family Division - Manatee
    Honorable Teresa K. Dees
  • Hague Convention Cases
    Honorable Diana L. Moreland (Manatee and Desoto Counties)
    Honorable Donna Padar (Sarasota County)
  • Criminal Division - Sarasota
    Honorable Donna Padar
  • Criminal Division - Manatee
    Honorable Frederick P. Mercurio
  • Probate/Guardianship - Sarasota
    Charles E. Williams
  • Probate/Guardianship - Manatee
    Diana L. Moreland
County Court Administrative Judges
  • DeSoto County
    Honorable Guy A. Flowers
  • Manatee County
    Honorable Renee L. Inman
  • Sarasota County
    Honorable Erika N. Quartermaine

Principles of professionalism for Florida judges

In 2005, Florida judges adopted nine principles of professionalism that address concepts not covered by existing rules.

  • A judge should be courteous, respectful and civil to lawyers, parties, witnesses, court personnel and all other participants in the legal process.
  • A judge should maintain control of the proceedings, recognizing that judges have both the obligation and the authority to ensure that all proceedings are conducted with dignity and decorum.
  • While endeavoring to resolve disputes promptly and efficiently, a judge should be considerate of the time constraints and pressures imposed on lawyers, parties and other participants in the legal process.
  • To the extent possible, a judge should be punctual in convening trials, hearings, meetings and conferences, and should, when practicable, promptly notify those affected if the judge becomes aware that there will be a significant delay.
  • A judge should permit a lawyer or self-represented party to present a cause properly and to make a complete and accurate record.
  • A judge should not impugn the integrity or professionalism of any lawyer on the basis of the lawyer’s clients or cause.
  • A judge should refer to lawyers and adult parties and witnesses by surname preceded by the preferred title (Mr., Ms., Mrs., Miss, Dr.) or by professional title (counselor or doctor) when conducting a trial or hearing.
  • A judge should work cooperatively with other judges on matters relating to the availability of lawyers, parties, witnesses, or court resources and the scheduling of proceedings.
  • A judge should be courteous and respectful to other judges in speech and in written decisions and opinions, mindful that a position articulated by another judge is the result of that judge’s earnest effort to interpret the law and the facts correctly.
  • These principles are promulgated to encourage judges, including general magistrates, child support hearing officers, and traffic infraction hearing officers to fulfill their obligation to be civil and respectful to all persons with whom they deal in an official capacity, and to require similar conduct from others, according to the commission.