As I prepare to conclude my tenure as a Circuit Court judge, effective Dec. 31, 2024, I seek to express my deepest gratitude to many and to share a few reflections.
My dream to serve as circuit judge was realized when the voters of the 4th Judicial Circuit elected me to serve in 2012. It has been an immense honor to serve as a circuit judge and to contribute to the judicial system of our circuit.
I first had the idea to serve one day as judge as a consequence of my early experience as a young prosecutor in the felony courtroom of Judge Ralph Nimmons.
In my view, Judge Nimmons was the quintessential jurist. To say I was inspired is an understatement but now remembering, maybe some of it was fear.
Judge Nimmons was a demanding judge. He struck an imposing figure, deep halting voice, measured, deliberate, professionally courteous to everyone, always. Preparation was a given, timeliness, always.
Looking back, I think that that “fear” served as a front row seat to a deep and profoundly impactful lesson in reverence for the judiciary, understanding the complexities of justice.
I began my judicial career in felony, then went to civil, next to juvenile delinquency and finally, family.
I am most mindful and satisfied with my work in juvenile and it was there that I was presented with the most challenges.
I remember an 11-year-old ushered into court one day by the officer from the back where he was held in custody, charged with violent felonies. A little boy. Lots of kids, way too many, had reading inabilities, a few could not read at all. Can you imagine?
I am most pleased with my work in equipping a conference room outside my courtroom as a small library. Friends of the Library generously donated books. I sought to offer kids a book to read in exchange for five hours of community service.
Many kids, though not enough, took home a book and reported back to me. I thank the Department of Juvenile Justice probation officers and other helpful volunteers who helped me succeed in the library.
I am grateful for the support and collaboration of my colleagues. The collegiality and shared commitment to justice has been instrumental in shaping my judicial philosophy and decision-making process. I will forever cherish the camaraderie and intellectual rigor that characterized our work together.
To the members of the legal community, including attorneys, public defenders and prosecutors, I am thankful for your dedication and commitment to upholding the law.
Your diligence, advocacy and respect for the judicial process have been vital in ensuring that justice is served. Working with such talented and principled professionals has been both an honor and a privilege.
The judicial assistants on the seventh floor, one and all, are often overlooked though without them the wheels of justice would not turn. Thank you to all the J.A.s and courthouse support staff for always showing up, to include court administration, IT, magistrates and hearing officers, bailiffs and housekeepers.
Leaving the Duval County Courthouse brings a sense of melancholy though I am looking forward to new pursuits. I hope to qualify for serving as a senior judge.
I am also looking forward to playing pickleball as often as possible, to finding and planting aquatic plants in my small pond, enjoying the backyard birds and listening to audio books. Traveling some.
In closing, I am deeply grateful to all for the trust and confidence placed in me throughout my legal career. It has been an incredible journey.