News & Featured Stories

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Polk County Judge Susan Barber Honored for Veterans Court Work

The Tenth Judicial Circuit recently posted an announcement congratulating Polk County Judge Susan Barber on being this year’s honored recipient of the Dean Johnson Award for Excellence at the 2020 Veterans Day Ceremony. Judge Barber was presented with this commendation for her hard work and dedication while presiding over the Veterans Court docket from December […]

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South Florida Courts Closed Monday as Tropical Storm ETA Arrives

Courts in the following counties will be closed Monday, November 9, 2020, due to the storm: Broward County Charlotte County Collier County Glades County Hendry County Lee County Miami-Dade County Monroe County Check the local court website for more information. Source: floridasupremecourt.org/Hurricane-Emergency-Orders

Joseph Lawhorne appointed to Pinellas County Court

On October 1, 2020, Governor Ron DeSantis appointed Joseph Lawhorne to the Sixth Judicial Circuit Court. Lawhorne, of Safety Harbor, received his bachelor’s degree and his law degree from the University of Mississippi. Lawhorne has been an Assistant State Attorney for the 6th Circuit since 2015. He replaces Judge Joshua Riba, whom the Governor appointed […]

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Judge Steve Berlin appointed to Sixth Judicial Circuit Court

On October 1, 2020, Governor Ron DeSantis appointed Judge Steve Berlin to the Sixth Judicial Circuit Court. Berlin is currently a Judge for Pinellas County Court and previously served as a Lieutenant Colonel for the United States Army JAG Corps. He received his bachelor’s degree from the United States Military Academy and his law degree […]

Barry E. Dickson, Jr. appointed to Escambia County Court

On September 23, 2020, Governor Ron DeSantis announced the appointment of Barry E. Dickson, Jr. to the Escambia County Court. Dickson, of Pensacola Beach, has been an Assistant Public Defender for the First Circuit since 2004. He currently serves as a reserve Lt. Colonel in the U.S. Air Force Chaplain Corps. He received his bachelor’s […]

Stefanie Morris appointed to Leon County Court

On September 23, 2020, Governor Ron DeSantis announced the appointment of Stefanie Morris to the Leon County Court. Morris, of Tallahassee, has been an Assistant State Attorney in the Second Circuit since 2007, and she is currently Chief covering Gadsden and Liberty counties. She received her bachelor’s degree from the University of Florida and her […]

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Judge Jennifer Swenson appointed to Tenth Judicial Circuit Court

On September 23, 2020, Governor Ron DeSantis announced the appointment of Jennifer Swenson to the Tenth Circuit Court. Swenson, of Lakeland, is currently a Judge for Polk County Court. She previously served as an Assistant State Attorney since 2012. She received her bachelor’s degree from Vanderbilt University and her law degree from Duke University. Swenson […]

Emily Curington appointed to Lake County Court

On August 19, 2020, Governor Ron DeSantis announced the appointment of Emily Curington to the Lake County Court. Curington, of Fruitland Park, has been an Assistant State Attorney for the Fifth Circuit since 2002. She is also an adjunct professor at Lake Sumter State College. She received her bachelor’s degree from Agnes Scott College and […]

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Brett Szematowicz appointed to Pinellas County Court

On August 19, 2020, Governor Ron DeSantis announced the appointment of Brett Szematowicz to the Pinellas County Court. Szematowicz, of St. Petersburg, has been a founding partner of Greater Tampa Law P.L. since 2013. He previously served as an Assistant State Attorney for the Sixth Circuit. He received his bachelor’s degree from the American University […]