News & Information

10th Anniversary of the Recovery Pod

On Saturday October 5th members of the Sarasota County Drug Court Team and community partners gathered at the Salvation Army to celebrate the 10th Anniversary of the Recovery Pod. Honorable Judge Andrew D. Owens was recognized for 36 years of compassion and dedication to this community and presented with the Starfish Award “Helping One Person Might Not Change the World, But it Could Change the World for That One Person”  

Mental Health Roundtable

In an effort to identify best practices and innovative ideas to better address mental health issues in the criminal justice system, Attorney General Ashley Moody and the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of Florida, Charles Canady, invited the chief judges from each Circuit in the State for a roundtable discussion.  Only three judges in the State were asked to present on their ideas and approaches to this issue.  Among them was Judge Erika Quartermaine who presented on the program that she spearheaded, Comprehensive Treatment Court. 

Heather Blanton Receives Recognition at Statewide Conference

Please join Court Administration in congratulating Heather Blanton, Mediation Services Coordinator, on her recent Award of Appreciation presented at the Dispute Resolution Center Conference held on August 15-17 in Orlando.

Mark Weinberg Wins the National Association of Court Management’s Award of Merit.

Mark Weinberg, the Trial Court Administrator from Florida’s 7th Circuit, won the National Association of Court Management’s Award of Merit.  This award is presented annually to recognize distinguished service and outstanding contributions to the profession of court administration on a national basis. 

Congratulations to Mark.  He is an outstanding court administrator who has devoted himself to improving Florida’s courts for 25 years.

Opiod Use Disorder

Sheriff Rick Wells, along with Manatee Circuit Judge Teri Kaklis Dees and Manatee Treatment Court Director Alfred James, addressed the audience at the 12th Circuit’s Opioid Use Disorder
Awareness event July 25, 2019. Panel members talked about the community resources and options to treat the disorder.

County Judges Were There

At the annual Conference of County Court Judges, Manatee County Judge Doug Henderson was honored for his years of dedication to his job, education and service to the community.  This is an annual honor bestowed at the conference as part of the “County Judges Were There” presentation by Broward County Judge Louis Schiff. 

History of the Manatee County Bar Association

Judge Gilbert A. Smith, Jr., was the guest speaker at the June 26th  Manatee County Bar Association luncheon.  Dressed like a lawyer from the early 1900’s, he spoke about the history of the Manatee County Bar Association and the 12th Judicial Circuit.

The Honorable Kimberly C. Bonner begins her term as Chief Judge

The Twelfth Judicial Circuit Court is pleased to announce that on Monday, July 1, 2019 the Honorable Kimberly C. Bonner will begin her term as Chief Judge of the 12th Judicial Circuit Court.  Judge Bonner was unanimously elected to serve a two year term by the 12th Circuit Judiciary.  She will be the first woman to serve as the Chief Judge in the history of the 12th Circuit.  Judge Bonner received her BA Degree from Stetson University in 1986, her Master’s Degree from the University of West Florida in 1987, her Juris Doctorate from Pepperdine University in 1990 and her Masters of Judicial Studies from the University of Nevada, Reno in 2017.  Judge Bonner was first appointed as a County Judge in 2002 and in 2013 was appointed to the Circuit Court bench.

Heather Doyle receives 2019 Jim Slater Award for Professionalism

Chief Assistant State Attorney Heather Doyle with her family after receiving the award at the Manatee County Bar Association’s 2019 Law Day Luncheon on May 29, 2019.

This award is presented to the attorney who the judges of the 12th Circuit feel best personify the qualities of the late Jim Slater, who was a long time Chief Assistant Public Defender.  Those qualities include civility, honesty and collegiality toward the bench and to opposing counsel.

Judge Gilbert Smith Jr. as Regimental Colonial Army Honor Guard

Judge Gilbert Smith was a part of an Regimental Colonial Army Honor Guard which led the reciting of the Pledge of Allegiance to start the festivities at the 2019 Manatee County Bar Association Law Day Luncheon held at the Pier 22 Restaurant in Bradenton on May 29th, 2019.