THE OFFICIAL NEWSLETTER OF THE SEVENTH JUDICIAL CIRCUIT COURT OF FLORIDA

he ocket allSpring 2011 | Volume 16, Issue 2

T D CDrug Court expansion program provides treatment, cost savings

What’s Inside

New Assignments ... Pg. 2

Employee of the Quarter ... Pg. 4

Judicial Profile ... Pg. 5

Welcome to the Bench ... Pg. 7

A View from the Bench ... Pg. 8

until they successfully complete the program. If the participant is unsuc-cessful, his or her case will return to a regular docket for resolution.

Funded with $19 million in federal stimulus dollars, the expansion pro-gram has been operational in Florida since March 2010. In that first year, about 900 offenders were admitted.

Officials estimate that the State of Florida has already saved more than $4 million since it costs $58.36 a day to house a non-violent offender in prison while expansion Drug Court costs about $23 a day per person.

“Because of the fiscal pressures faced by the government today, there is a greater appreciation for the savings that can be delivered by Drug Courts,” Judge Will said. “And there is the distinct possibility that the face of cor-rections will be changed for all time if this experiment is successful.”

Retired Judge S. James Foxman addresses family, friends and colleagues at the dedication of the S. James Foxman Justice Center in Daytona Beach in February. Judge Foxman retired earlier this year after spending more than 30 years on the bench.

Keeping thousands of offenders out of prison and getting them into treatment are what drug courts participating in a federally-funded expansion program hope to accomplish by 2013. The success of the program will not only rehabilitate these addicts, it will also save the state millions of dollars.

Volusia County is one of eight counties participating in the statewide drug court expansion program designed to divert non-violent drug offenders from prison into treatment and diversion programs.

“Drug Courts work. Everyone lucky enough to be involved in them has known that for more than a decade,” said Circuit Judge Joseph G. Will. Judge Will oversees the Volusia County Adult Drug Court divisions in Daytona Beach and DeLand.

Locally, the expansion program cur-rently has 55 participants and capac-ity for up to 80. By the program’s end in March 2013, Volusia County hopes to graduate 60 from the expansion program.

“In our first year of operating the program, we found it was difficult to

identify and sentence new participants because the legal parameters were drawn a little too conservatively,” Judge Will said. “If that window is opened slightly to allow more people into the program, we will be able to provide services to a larger popula-tion. That should go a long way into giving the results of this project a broader and more meaningful ap-plication.”

Lawmakers recently passed legislation that will loosen the expansion program requirements.

Once accepted into Drug Court, all participants have the same require-ments and sanctions. The only differ-ence is how they got to the program and the consequences for unsuccessful completion. Those in the expansion program have been sentenced to pro-bation and must successfully complete Drug Court as condition of probation. In regular Drug Court, participants enter a plea which is held in abeyance

“Drug Courts work. Everyone lucky enough to be involved in them has known that for more than a decade.” Circuit Judge Joseph G. Will Volusia County Adult Drug Court

Page 2 | The Docket Call | Volume 16, Issue 2 | Spring 2011

Division 01 Judge Terence R. PerkinsDivision 02 Judge Robert K. Rouse, Jr.Division 03 Judge Hubert L. GrimesDivision 04 Judge Matthew M. FoxmanDivision 05 Judge James R. ClaytonDivision 07 Judge Randell H. Rowe, IIIDivision 08 Judge Margaret W. HudsonDivision l0 Judge C. McFerrin Smith, IIIDivision 15 Judge James R. ClaytonDivision 21 Judge Joseph G. WillDivision 22 Judge John W. Watson, IIIDivision 23 Judge James R. ClaytonDivision 24 Judge Raul A. ZambranoDivision 25 Judge Patti A. ChristensenDivision 26 Judge Wendy W. BergerDivision 27 Judge Leah R. CaseDivision 28 Judge James R. ClaytonDivision 29 Judge Clyde E. WolfeDivision 30 Judge Shawn L. BrieseDivision 31 Judge Richard S. Graham

Division 32 Judge William A. ParsonsDivision 36 Judge Julianne PiggotteDivision 37 Judge John W. Watson, IIIDivision 38 Judge Leah R. CaseDivision 40 Judge Joseph G. WillDivision 41 Judge R. Michael HutchesonDivision 42 Judge Frank MarriottDivision 43 Judge J. David WalshDivision 48 Judge C. McFerrin Smith, IIIDivision 49 Judge Dennis P. CraigDivision 50 Judge Raul A. ZambranoDivision 52 Judge Terrill J. LaRueDivision 53 Judge Patti A. ChristensenDivision 54 Judge Scott C. DuPontDivision 55 Judge J. Michael TraynorDivision 56 Judge Wendy W. BergerDivision 57 Judge John M. AlexanderDivision 58 Judge Clyde E. Wolfe

Updated Circuit Division AssignmentsEffective Feb. 28

Personnel Update

New Hires

Josephine Sanders, Office Assistant II, Pretrial Services, Volusia County, 1/3/11

Sandy Alvarez, County Court Judicial Assistant (Judge Sanders), Volusia County, 1/4/11

Tammy Holder, Circuit Judicial Assistant (Judge Craig), Flagler County, 1/4/11

Jessica Burgdorf, Circuit Judicial Assistant (Judge DuPont), Putnam County, 1/4/11

Brooke Campbell, County Court Judicial Assistant (Judge Christine), St. Johns County, 2/1/11

Brooke Palmer, Circuit Judicial Assistant (Judge Hudson), Volusia County, 2/7/11

Jessica Marchalleck, Circuit Judicial Assistant (Judge Christensen), Putnam County, 2/7/11

Joy Allen, Court Program Specialist, Foreclosure Case Management, Flagler County, 2/14/11

Delitta George, Court Program Specialist, Drug Court, Volusia County, 2/22/11

Cathy Brick, Circuit Judicial Assistant (Judge Case), Volusia County, 2/25/11

Transfers/Promotions

Mary Lou Murrison, Circuit Judicial Assistant (Judge Foxman), Volusia County, 1/4/11

Jill Hoblick, Digital Court Reporting Coordinator, Court Reporting, Circuit-wide, 1/6/11

Erin Lufkin, Senior Law Clerk, St. Johns County, 3/3/11

Brian Brittain, Senior Court Services Officer, Pretrial Services, Volusia County, 3/19/11

Separations/Retirements

Glenda Griffis, Circuit Judicial Assistant (Judge Nichols), Putnam County, 1/3/11

Nadine Turner, County Court Judicial Assistant (Judge Henderson), Volusia County, 1/3/11

Pennie Wright, Circuit Judicial Assistant (Judge Hudson), Volusia County, 1/31/11

Mary Essue, Senior Law Clerk, Volusia County, 2/6/11

Bill Dollar, Family Mediator, Putnam/St. Johns counties, 2/28/11

Spring 2011 |Volume 16, Issue 2| The Docket Call | Page 3

Congratulations / Items of InterestCircuit judges Dennis Craig, Scott C. DuPont and Matthew M. Foxman assumed the bench on Jan. 4, as did Volusia County Court Judge Robert A. Sanders, Jr. Circuit Judge Leah R. Case began her duties on Jan. 17 and St. Johns County Court Judge Alexander R. Christine, Jr., began on Feb. 1.

Circuit Judge Joseph G. Will was appointed to the State Court System’s Task Force on Substance Abuse and Mental Health Issues in the Court. Circuit Judge Raul A. Zambrano was appointed to the Steering Committee on Families and Children in the Court.

Carla Darling (Drug Court – 10 years), Lee Wissel (Court Technology – 10 years), Gene Neal (U/A Lab – 15 years), Joey Sterthaus (Pretrial Services – 15 years), John Boyd (Pretrial Services – 15 years) and Mary Ann White (Pre-trial Services – 25 years) were recognized at the annual Volusia County Employee Recognition Luncheon on Feb. 23.

The Florida Supreme court issued its annual certification opinion, and the Seventh Judicial Circuit was certified the need for two additional circuit judges, two additional Volusia County Court judges and one additional St. Johns County Court judge. In its opinion, the Court certified the need for 26 additional circuit judges and 54 additional county court judges statewide.

Gene Neal (aka Bartee), Volusia County UA Lab, entertained guests at the annual Volusia County Diversity Luncheon in February. Photo courtesy of Volusia County Community Information.

The Council on Aging of Volusia County was reappointed as Public Guardian for Volusia County by the Statewide Public Guardianship Office, a division on the Department of Elder Affairs. Their new term runs from Feb. 1, 2011 through Jan. 31, 2015.

Shirts bearing the Seventh Judicial Circuit Court’s logo are available for purchase. New styles and color options are now available! Order forms may be obtained from Human Resources.

April 1 - Circuit Judges Meeting (Bunnell)

April 15 - Volusia County Court Judges Meeting (Daytona Beach)

April 22 - Good Friday (Holiday)

April 29 - Court Picnic at Jackie Robinson Ballpark / Daytona Cubs (Daytona Beach)

May 6 - Circuit Judges Meeting (Volusia County – Daytona Beach)

May 6 - Florida Legislature Adjourns

May 20- Volusia County Court Judges Meeting (Daytona Beach)

May 23 - 26 - Handling Capital Cases (Orlando)

May 30 - Memorial Day (Holiday)

June 10 - Circuit/County Judges Meeting (De-Land)

June 17 - Judicial Inquiry System (JIS) Training (DeLand)

June 20 - Dependency Judicial Retreat (Jackson-ville)

Calendar of Events

In St. Johns County, the multi-phase courthouse reno-vation project is nearly complete.

In Putnam County, the conversion of space to a court-room and judge’s chambers is underway.

In Volusia County, the Justice Center in Daytona Beach was re-named the S. James Foxman Justice Center in January. The judge’s bench and clerk station in Court-room 2 in the New Smyrna Beach Courthouse Annex were remodeled to provide more work space.

Thanks to Facilities staff in all of our facilities for main-taining our courthouses and offices.

The Richard O. Watson Judicial Center in St. Augustine will soon have two new courtrooms.

Facility Improvements

Page 4 | The Docket Call | Volume 16, Issue 2 |Spring 2011

Employee of the Quarter: Kim CromartieCourt Administration is pleased to name Kim Cromartie as the Employee of the Quarter for the first quarter of 2011. Kim is a law clerk based at the S. James Foxman Justice Center in Daytona Beach.

“Ms. Cromartie has increased her productivity by taking on the responsibility of two law clerks. She does this with a pleasant attitude and without complaint,” wrote one nominator. “She is a self-starter who works beyond the usual requirements of her position.”

Second quarter 2011 nominations must be received by June 17. Please send nominations to the attention of Anne Landolfa, Personnel, Courthouse Annex, 125 E. Orange Ave., Suite 300, Daytona Beach 32114. You may also E-mail your nominations to alandolfa@circuit7.org.

One-on-One with Kim CromartieTitle: Trial Court Law Clerk Location: S. James Foxman Justice Center, Daytona Beach Years with Court Administration: 4 years, 9 months Previous work experience: After law school, I worked for a property management company prior to becoming a law clerk. Duties: Review briefs, motions and case files. Research legal issues and attend hearings. Draft post-conviction orders, appellate opinions and memoranda for the judges. Best part of job: There are many things that I enjoy about my job, but the best part is having the opportunity to work with so many amazing people.

Personal: I was born in Charleston, S.C., but grew up in Ormond Beach. After high school, I attended the University of Florida and majored in psychology. I went to law school at Florida Coastal School of Law and spent a summer abroad at the University College of London. After law school, I studied Spanish in Costa Rica at Centro Panameri-cano de Idiomas. In my spare time, I enjoy spending time with my friends, my family and my pug, Cassie. I also like traveling, working out, going to theme parks and relaxing at the beach.

Circuit judges Julianne Piggotte, John W. Watson III to retire this summer

Two veteran jurists have announced they will retire this summer.

After more than 20 years on the bench, Circuit Judge Julianne Piggotte has announced she will retire June 30.Piggotte, who has been a judge since 1990, currently hears family cases at the Volusia County Courthouse Annex at City Island in Daytona Beach. She served as chief judge of the Seventh Judicial Circuit from 2003 to 2005.

“The Seventh Circuit has been fortu-nate to have Judge Piggotte with us the past 20 years. She led the circuit

through quite a bit of change during her tenure as chief judge. Judge Pig-gotte also left a lasting impression on our local juvenile dependency system during the many years she served in that division,” said J. David Walsh, chief judge of the Seventh Judicial Circuit.

Also announcing his retirement is Circuit Judge John W. Watson, III, who will be leaving the bench Aug. 1.

A judge since 1986, Watson currently hears juvenile delinquency cases at the Volusia County Courthouse Annex

at City Island in Daytona Beach.

“For many years, Judge Watson has dedicated himself to helping young people and their families through his work on the juvenile delinquency bench. I know his presence in the juve-nile justice community will certainly be missed,” Judge Walsh said.

Because both judges will be retiring before the end of their terms, their replacements will be appointed by the Governor through the Judicial Nominating Commission process.

Kim Cromartie

Judicial Profile: Volusia County Court Judge David B. BeckPart of a series of judicial profiles from around the Circuit

Q: Are you a Florida native?

A: I consider myself a semi-native. I was born in western Pennsylvania. My dad was in the Air Force and worked for General Electric. We moved to Ormond Beach in 1964.

Q: What got you interested in the law?

A: When I was in high school and college, my focus was on foot-ball. I played football at Lafayette College in Pennsylvania before transferring to the University of Florida - where I was a walk on, although I didn’t play. I wasn’t cut out to be an engineer like my dad. He told me if I was a lawyer I could work for myself. My room-mate in college always wanted to be a lawyer and convinced me to take the LSAT. I did pretty well on it, and later decided to go to law school. After spending two semesters in law school, I decided I wanted to be an active officer in the U.S. Army. So I left Gainesville and spent a year and a half as the commanding officer of a military police detachment in Oakland, CA, in the early ‘70s. I returned to Gainesville to finish law school and headed out west to Colorado and California.

Q: What kind of law did you prac-tice before becoming a judge?

A: In my earlier days, I was a prosecutor in Jacksonville and Steamboat Springs, CO. I then moved into general practice and corporate work while in Colorado and California. When I returned to Florida, I worked for the State Attorney’s Office in the 7th Circuit and was in private practice. I also worked as a mediator for many

years before becoming a judge in 2003.

Q: Why did you want to become a judge?

A: I thought that being a judge was the highest form of service that I could provide to my com-munity and profession. And I truly believe that we should offer our services whenever possible.

Q: What’s the most challenging part of your job?

A: One of the hardest things is making sure I make a fair deci-sion. It’s especially difficult in county court because of the volume and the fact that our decisions have to be made in real time. Sometimes lawyers may as-sume that county court decisions don’t matter as much because the subject matter in circuit court is more serious, but I don’t believe that’s the case. Especially for the people who are on the other end of our decisions.

Q: What’s the best part of your job?

A: One of the rewarding parts of my job is when people thank me - often for the most unexpected things. I enjoy helping people get along. Now I think we’re seeing more people who are really strug-gling just to get by.

Q: Last year, you received some attention for your work on the county canvassing board. Can you talk about the role a judge plays on the board?

A: I joined the canvassing board

in 2006. The board consists of the chair - who is a county court judge - the chair of the County Council and the supervisor of elections. The board is respon-sible for making sure the voting process is fair and accurate. Sometimes we’re called to ad-minister a recount - like in some recent municipal and county judge elections. It’s exhausting work, but I’ve been really proud to have the opportunity to work with Ann McFall and Frank Bruno. The Bush v. Gore recount brought some negative attention to the voting process in Florida. In the years since, I think people are and should be confident in the process.

Q: Do you have a family? What are some of your personal inter-ests?

A: I have six grown children and seven grandchildren. My wife, Carolyn, and I have been mar-ried 30 years. I enjoy biking and swimming and plan to take up golf soon. I’m active with the Special Olympics and serve on the boards of Stewart-Marchman-Act Behavioral Healthcare and County Court Mediation Services.

Spring 2011 | Volume 16, Issue 2 | The Docket Call | Page 5

Judge David B. Beck

As part of the Seventh Judicial Circuit’s diversity efforts, the Com-munity Outreach Subcommittee keeps track of the speaking engagements by judicial and Court Administration personnel. The listings below are an example of how judges and employees work in the community to create a heightened awareness of the courts system through informative talks and tours.

If you are interested in volunteering for the Community Outreach Speakers’ Bureau, have information regarding a past speaking en-gagement, or know of a community group that would be interested in hearing about the Court, please contact Molly Justice at (386) 943-7074 or mjustice@circuit7.org.

Youth and Schools

1/18/11 -- St. Johns County Court Judge Charles Tinlin presided over a mock trial as part of Youth Leadership St. Johns Law and Government Day at the Richard O. Watson Judicial Center in St. Augustine.

2/1/11-- Circuit Judge Dennis Craig spoke to paralegal students at Daytona State College.

2/25/11-- Volusia County Court Judge Dawn Fields visited with students at Enterprise Elementary School.

3/2/11-- Court Administration hosted students from Lighthouse Christian Academy at the Volusia County Courthouse in DeLand. The students met with Doug Pearson in the UA lab and Volusia County Court Judge Peter Marshall.

3/18/11 and 4/8/11 -- Legal Aspects students from Flagler Palm Coast High School visited the Kim C. Hammond Justice Center in Bunnell. The students observed court before Judge Sharon B. Atack and met with Circuit Judge Raul A. Zambrano. They also spent time with assistant state attorneys Ken Ulich, Kelsey Bledsoe and Ed Haefentling and assistant public de-fenders Judy Davidson, and Regina Nunnally.

The Courts in our

Community

Page 6 | The Docket Call | Volume 16, Issue 2 | Spring 2011

Community Organizations

3/2/11 -- Court Administrator Mark Weinberg spoke about the state courts system with participants of the Daytona Leadership Council at Tomoka Correctional Institution.

Flagler County Teen Court recently traveled to the Fourth Judicial Circuit to participate in its annual Mock Trial Competition. The team included 19 youth, ages 10 to 16. Pictured above with some of the team is Circuit Judge Brian J. Davis of the Fourth Circuit. Special thanks to the attorneys who volunteered their time to coach the team and act as scoring judges.

Be Prepared

Hurricane season begins June 1. Please be sure your contact/emergency information with Human Resources is current.

Spring 2011 | Volume 16, Issue 2 | The Docket Call | Page 7

Welcome to the Bench

Circuit Judge A.W. Nichols administers the oath of office to Circuit Judge Scott C. DuPont during his January investiture at Ravine Gardens in Palat-ka. Joining Judge DuPont are his brother, Brian, and sister, Amy Coolidge. Photo courtesy of the Palatka Daily News.

St. Johns County Court Judge Alexander R. Christine, Jr., is robed by his daughter, Sarah, and mother Kath-leen, during his January investiture at Flagler College in St. Augustine. Photo courtesy of the St. Augustine Record.

Circuit Judge C. McFerrin Smith, III, swears in Volusia County Court Judge Robert A. Sanders, Jr., during his January investiture at the historic Volusia County Courthouse. Joining Judge Sanders is his wife, Christine.

Circuit Judge Leah R. Case addresses family, friends and colleagues during her March investiture at Seabreeze High School in Daytona Beach.

The faces on the Seventh Judicial Circuit’s bench have changed quite a bit in 2010 and 2011. Re-tirements and vacancies created opportunities for eight attorneys to become judges and the elevation of a county judge to the circuit bench.

The Docket CallTHEOFFICIALNEWSLETTEROFTHESEVENTHJUDICIALCIRCUITCOURTOFFLORIDA

Articles, comments or inquiries may be addressed to:Molly JusticeEditor, The Docket CallVolusia County Courthouse101 N. Alabama Ave.DeLand, FL 32724mjustice@circuit7.org

J. David WalshChief Judge

Mark A. WeinbergCourt Administrator

Page 8 | The Docket Call | Volume 16, Issue 2 | Spring 2011

During a recent hearing, I heard a young father say, “I don’t have a ride to the courthouse!” Incredu-lously, I retorted, “If your child matters to you, you will find a way.”

Nowadays, we are so accustomed to comfort that we view it as an impossibility to live without a car. With gasoline pushing $4 a gallon, the excuses will be more frequent.

So to prove that it can be done, I decided to ride my bicycle to work one day – 35 miles. I didn’t purchase anything new other than safety equipment. I used what I had in my garage - a 37-year-old, 10-speed bike my father bought me in Panama when I was 10 years old and my daughter’s fourth-grade backpack. There was no fancy gear or clothing either – just shorts, a T-shirt and a helmet.

I woke up at 3:30 a.m. and just couldn’t sleep any-more. I got dressed and grabbed my backpack - breaking the zipper in the process. I hate it when that happens! I ran back into the garage to look for a replacement and the choices were slim. Either the hot pink Power Puff Girls backpack or the Sailor Moon blue one. I know I’d never hear the end of it if I used the pink one, so the powder blue one it was.

By 4 a.m., I was on my way. I had enough liquids in my backpack to quench an elephant herd, plus a granola

bar and an apple. I pedaled slowly, figuring I had plenty of time. I stopped at all the red lights because they provided a welcome break from the saddle. It was a quiet and uneventful ride all the way.

At mile 25, I took a break and ate the apple and granola bar. I called my bailiff and told him I hadn’t had a heart attack … yet. The 50 gallons of Gatorade on

my back was weighing me down. I hit heavy fog at mile 28.

By mile 33 in Bunnell, fatigue was now playing tricks on my mind. I heard yelling and screaming coming from the road. I ignored it and kept going, but the noise and yelling kept following me. I finally turned my head only to see my bailiff’s patrol car with Judge Sharon Atack hanging out of the passenger window snapping pictures, laughing and cheering as I rode. I got to work – on time.

So next time you hear some young person tell you that they can’t find a ride to the courthouse, you are free to tell them this: “If an out-of-shape, overweight, 47-year-old judge can ride a bike 35 miles on a 37-year-old, 10-speed bike just to get to the courthouse, I know you can too.”

And in case you’re wondering, the ride was two hours 42 minutes - door to door.

A View from the Bench : Circuit Judge Raul A. Zambrano