News & Featured Stories

Governor Ron DeSantis Makes Three Judicial Appointments – August 5, 2022

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. — Today, Governor Ron DeSantis announces three judicial appointments: one to the Thirteenth Judicial Circuit Court, one to the Hillsborough County Court, and one to the Hernando County Court. Cynthia Oster, of Tampa, to serve as Judge on the Thirteenth Judicial Circuit Court Oster has served as a Judge on the Hillsborough County […]

Kristina “Tina” Lightel – Governor Ron DeSantis Makes Appointment

On July 22, 2022, Governor Ron DeSantis announced the appointment Kristina “Tina” Lightel, of Pensacola, to serve as Judge on the Escambia County Court. Lightel is an Assistant Regional Counsel in the Office of Criminal Conflict and Civil Regional Counsel. Previously, she worked as an Attorney for the Department of Children and Families and as […]

Honorable Wayne Shoemaker

The Honorable Wayne Shoemaker Retires

After 23 years of service on the Orange County bench, Judge Wayne Shoemaker  retired on June 3. See the article on the Ninth Judicial Circuit Court of Florida’s webpage: https://ninthcircuit.org/news/honorable-wayne-shoemaker-retire

DeSoto County Court Judge Danielle Brewer appointed to Twelfth Circuit Court

On May 27, 2022, Governor Ron DeSantis announced the appointment of Danielle Brewer, Manatee County Court Judge to the Twelfth Judicial Circuit Court. Danielle Brewer, of Arcadia, will serve as Judge on the Twelfth Judicial Circuit Court. Brewer has served as a Judge on the DeSoto County Court since her appointment by Governor Rick Scott […]

Sarah Jones appointed to Lake County Court by Governor Ron DeSantis

On May 27, 2022, Governor Ron DeSantis announced the appointment of Sarah Jones, of Mount Dora, to serve as Judge on the Lake County Court Jones has served as a General Magistrate in Lake County since December of 2019. Previously, she served as an Attorney in the Office of Criminal Conflict and Civil Regional Counsel […]

Mark Eissey

Obituary JUDGE MARK EISSEY 1962-2022

With a very heavy heart, the Fifteenth Judicial Circuit announces the passing of the Hon. Mark Eissey, County Judge. He served on the Palm Beach County Court from 2005-2022. Read the Twitter notice here: Judge Mark Eissey

County Court Judge Tina Caraballo on Mediation

Orange County Judge Tina Caraballo discusses the process called “mediation” where the two parties of a case work cooperatively with a mediator to come to a resolution without the need to go to trial. Listen to her conversation with Chief Judge and Open Ninth Host Lisa T. Munyon on Episode 151 of “Know Your Courts” […]