News & Information

Judicial candidates must consider ethical rules when campaigning

This fall Manatee County voters have a chance to elect a county judge. Here's a look at how one becomes a judge, how and why judges can be appointed to the bench by the governor and elected by voters, and the ethics behind judicial campaigns with links to additional resources.

Teamwork, Advocacy Go Hand in Hand for 2020 Slater Award recipient

Twelfth Judicial Circuit Chief Judge Kimberly C. Bonner presented Terry Drake with the 2020 Jim Slater award in an outside ceremony on July 16, 2020, at the Silvertooth Judicial Center in Sarasota. Ms. Drake, an assistant public defender based in Sarasota County, represents the Public Defender’s Office in the Treatment Courts of the Twelfth Circuit.

Sarasota Civil Bench updates bar members in 3rd Zoom Town Hall

The Sarasota Circuit Civil bench hosted its third Zoom Town Hall on May 21 for the Manatee County and Sarasota County Bar associations. Chief Judge Kimberly C. Bonner joined circuit civil Judges Hunter Carroll, Andrea McHugh, Maria Ruhl, Stephen Walker, Magistrate Deborah Bailey, and special guest Sarasota County Clerk of Circuit Court Karen Rushing, as they updated the more than 180 participants logged in on the status of the civil division.

Thinking Outside the Four Corners

Following the Florida Supreme Court’s order, the Twelfth Judicial Circuit Court limited the number of in-person hearings at the courthouses on Monday, March 23, 2020, and began welcoming people to its virtual courtrooms instead. The world was fighting a virus but the court found a way to “do justice” while keeping everyone safe and protecting the health of citizens.

The Florida State Courts System has been preparing for a large-scale emergency. After 9/11, the SCS created a pandemic guide, and all 20 of the judicial circuits have hurricane contingency plans. As a whole, Florida Courts have embraced social media and the internet (see the Florida Supreme Court’s YouTube channel) and they have proven vital in quickly informing court partners and citizens to changing court procedures.

Fresh air, fresh start for Community Care Court participants

Eight participants of the Twelfth Judicial Circuit’s Community Care Court assembled this morning at the Judge Lynn N. Silvertooth Judicial Center in Sarasota. Seated on the lawn under a cloudless, sunny sky they were there to be recognized for completing a specialty court program that will give them a chance to make positive changes in their lives. 

South County Courts / RLA Remodel

A “Notice-to-Proceed” with Phase 1 site work was officially issued on April 15, 2020.  This phase, expected to last until the fall of 2020, includes the construction of a new parking area along U.S. 41, rearrangement of existing parking facilities, new stormwater improvements, and preparation of the site for the new court building. 

Civil Bench ‘Zooms’ with Local Bar in Town Hall Event

The judges and magistrate representing the 12th Judicial Circuit’s Civil Bench held a virtual town hall on April 22 for members of the Manatee County and Sarasota County Bar Associations.

A message for our treatment court clients

12th Circuit Court is Monitoring COVID-19

The courts remain open.

The Twelfth Judicial Circuit Court is actively monitoring developments with COVID-19, the novel coronavirus.

The safety and security of the public and our employees is our top priority as we seek to achieve our core mission of ensuring access to justice. The courts remain open to the public and we urge you to follow the same precautions that are recommended by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to avoid the spread of respiratory diseases

High School Students Participate in Mock Trials

Chief Judge Kimberly Bonner, Circuit Court Judges Hunter Carroll (pictured with students), Andrea McHugh, Frederick Mercurio, Diana Moreland (also pictured with students), Stephen Walker, County Court Judge Erika Quartermaine and Senior Judge Lee Haworth volunteered to preside over high school mock trials on February 8. Local students learned about the court system and trial process through three rounds of mock trials heard throughout the course of the day.