News & Information

PIO Receives Award for Excellence

On April 7, Donna Rhodes, Public Information Officer for the 12th Judicial Circuit, was presented with the Award for Excellence in Communications by the Florida Court Public Information Officers at their annual awards ceremony. Donna received the award for her outstanding public service during the 2020 COVID-19 pandemic by successfully communicating health and safety protocols and information about the courts with jurors, the public and media under unique and ever-changing circumstances.

Nailed it! Judges have fun with fondant and frosting

Shortly after the teams were formed, the trash talk began. Who knew cake decorating could be a competitive sport?

Unanimously elected, Judge Roberts next to lead circuit as chief judge

Congratulations to Judge Charles E. Roberts who will serve as the Twelfth Judicial Circuit’s chief judge beginning July 1, 2021.

Unanimously elected by his colleagues, Chief Judge Elect Roberts assumes the administrative role for the two-year term of July 1, 2021 to June 30, 2023.

Changes to weekend, holiday hearings in Sarasota and DeSoto

In a February 11, 2021 memo to justice system partners and community services agencies, Twelfth Judicial Circuit Chief Judge Kimberly Bonner announced changes to weekend and holiday first appearance proceedings in Sarasota and DeSoto counties, effective February 20, 2021.

Court manager hones leadership skills through yearlong knowledge academy

Congratulations to Nicole Durston, DUI Court/Pretrial Services manager, on her graduation from Sarasota County Government’s Academy of Leadership Excellence (ALE) program.

Judge's path to the bench was international trek

Much has been already been written about Manatee County Court Judge Melissa Gould’s international trek to the judiciary. Her legal studies took her from a small town in Ontario, Canada, to New York, to the United Kingdom.

Judge Singer bids farewell to colleagues, Bar and court staff

Manatee County Judge Mark D. Singer, who hung up his robe for the last time on December 31, 2020, bid farewell to colleagues, attorneys and court staff in a letter to the Manatee County Bar Association.

Judge Thomas M. Gallen is Manatee County’s 2021 Distinguished Citizen

At a luncheon at the Manatee County Fairgrounds on January 7, 2021, Judge Thomas M. Gallen was recognized with the 2021 Distinguished Citizen Award by the Manatee River Fair Association.

New county judge not discouraged by pandemic challenges

Manatee County Court Judge Jacqueline Steele knew in the 10th grade that she wanted to work in the legal field. After taking a Gregg shorthand class in high school, Steele said she became interested in court reporting and delighted in the idea of being the keeper of the record.

Senior Judge Lee Haworth 'honored' by William E. Gladstone award

Senior Judge Lee E. Haworth received the William E. Gladstone award during a Zoom presentation on December 11, 2020. The award is a prestigious one in the child welfare community, named after the circuit judge in South Florida who left an indelible mark on the way Florida Courts deliver justice in cases involving children.