Sixth Judicial Circuit Court of Florida

Sixth Judicial Circuit Court of Florida This is the official page for the Sixth Judicial Circuit Court of Florida. In Florida, trial courts of general jurisdiction are aligned in 20 circuits.

The Sixth Judicial Circuit serves citizens of Pasco and Pinellas counties. The circuit comprises two county courts, which have jurisdiction only in their home county, and a circuit court, with jurisdiction in both counties. All cases filed in these two counties are assigned to one of nine different court divisions. If you are looking for the official source of information for the Sixth Judicial Circuit, please visit our web site, www.jud6.org.

As of Monday, June 1, 2026, two judges – one of them a newcomer to the county bench, the other recently elevated from th...
06/04/2026

As of Monday, June 1, 2026, two judges – one of them a newcomer to the county bench, the other recently elevated from the county to the circuit bench – began their new jobs in their respective new divisions. Pictured on the left below is the newcomer, Olivier Lindemann, who was appointed a Pinellas County Judge by Gov. Ron DeSantis in May. Here he is seen on June 4 at the Pinellas County Justice Center in Clearwater, where he is based, handling cases involving risk protection orders, which are civil court orders that allow law enforcement to temporarily remove fi****ms and ammunition from individuals. He has been permanently assigned to the community violence division, where injunctions, often also called restraining orders, are sought. Previously, Judge Lindemann had worked as associate legal counsel for the Pinellas County Sheriff’s Office, where he handled, coincidentally enough, risk protection orders. He has also worked as assistant legal counsel for the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office, as a operations and case officer for the Central Intelligence Agency, and as an assistant state attorney in the 12th Judicial Circuit, which is based in Sarasota. He received his juris doctorate degree from the Thomas M. Cooley Law School in Lansing, Michigan, and his bachelor of science degree from Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University in Daytona Beach, FL. Pictured on the right is Knute Nathe, whom Gov. DeSantis elevated from the county to the circuit bench on the same day he appointed Judge Lindemann to the county bench. As a county judge at the Robert D. Sumner Judicial Center in Dade City, he handled small claims, civil traffic matters and evictions, among other things. Now, as a circuit judge at the same judicial center, he will take over a family division, where he will preside over domestic relations cases, among other things. In the picture, taken on June 2, he is hearing cases involving injunctions. Judge Nathe was appointed to the county bench in 2023. Previously, he had worked as a county court prosecutor, spent almost ten years in private practice, and served, in Dade City, as a commissioner, and as mayor temporarily. He received both his bachelor’s degree and his law degree from the University of Florida. (His name plate, as you can see in the photograph, has not been updated).

As of today, several moves regarding judicial assignments go into effect. Judge Knute Nathe, who was recently elevated b...
06/01/2026

As of today, several moves regarding judicial assignments go into effect. Judge Knute Nathe, who was recently elevated by Gov. Ron DeSantis from the county bench to the circuit bench, is, as a result, leaving his county division at the Robert D. Sumner Judicial Center in Dade City, where he handled small claims, civil traffic matters and evictions, among other things (the position is now vacant because of his departure.) As a new circuit judge, he will take over a family division at the Robert D. Sumner Judicial Center previously assigned to Pinellas-Pasco Circuit Judge Nicole Pearlman. Judge Pearlman, in turn, will move to the West Pasco Judicial Center in New Port Richey, where she will continue to preside over family matters. She takes over a division previously held by Pinellas-Pasco Circuit Judge Dustin Anderson, who will now handle probate cases and injunctions in New Port Richey. Finally, Olivier Lindemann, who Gov. DeSantis recently appointed to the county bench, will preside over a community violence division left vacant when then-Pinellas County Judge Aaron Hubbard was elevated to the circuit bench by the governor and was assigned to the downtown Clearwater courthouse, where he now handles family matters.

Shawn Crane, chief judge of the Sixth Judicial Circuit, spoke as one member of a three-person panel on the subject of co...
05/29/2026

Shawn Crane, chief judge of the Sixth Judicial Circuit, spoke as one member of a three-person panel on the subject of court security and safety on Friday, May 29, at the Tampa campus of the Stetson University College of Law. The other members of the panel were Pinellas County Sheriff Bob Gualtieri and Christopher Sabella, the chief judge of the 13th Judicial Circuit in Hillsborough County. The 55-minute presentation was moderated by Judge Nelly Khouzam of the Second District Court of Appeal, and was one of several presentations at a daylong course entitled, “Practicing With Ethics, Civility, and Professionalism,” which was organized by the Tampa Bay Chapter of the American Board of Trial Advocates, in cooperation with the Hillsborough County Bar Association and the Thirteenth Judicial Circuit Professionalism Committee. Pictured below, at the table, from left to right, are Sheriff Gualtieri, Judge Crane, and Judge Sabella. The speaker is the program chair, Attorney Troy Crotts.

Artwork and writings by those who’ve participated in Adult Drug Court in Pinellas County – or in its subset, Veterans Tr...
05/28/2026

Artwork and writings by those who’ve participated in Adult Drug Court in Pinellas County – or in its subset, Veterans Treatment Court – are featured this month in the lobbies of the Pinellas County Government Center at 315 Court St. in downtown Clearwater and the Pinellas County Jail at 14400 49th St. N. in Clearwater. It’s fitting as May has been designated by Florida Supreme Court Chief Justice Carlos G. Muñiz as one during which problem-solving courts, such as drug court, should be recognized for their efforts in meeting the challenges of substance abuse and mental health disorders. Both drug courts in Pinellas County, which are presided over by Pinellas-Pasco Circuit Judge Kimberly Todd, are voluntary programs. There are frequent court appearances, substance abuse treatment and random testing for substance abuse. Participants can also participate in a variety of activities designed to help them with their recovery. One such activity is creating art or writing down one’s thoughts. Normally, such efforts adorn the walls of Courtroom 10 at the Pinellas County Justice Center, which is the courtroom designated for drug court. But for the month of May, some are featured in the two lobbies. “We are grateful to be able to display this meaningful artwork and to celebrate the artists who have generously given us a window into their very difficult journeys,” reads one of the informative placards accompanying the art. Pictured below are a handful of works on display in the lobby of the government center.

On May 21, Pinellas-Pasco Circuit Judge Elizabeth Jack was given the annual Judicial Appreciation Award by the St. Peter...
05/27/2026

On May 21, Pinellas-Pasco Circuit Judge Elizabeth Jack was given the annual Judicial Appreciation Award by the St. Petersburg Bar Association at its annual reception held at the James Museum in St. Petersburg. A local jurist typically wins the award after the bar solicits nominations. Among the factors considered are a nominee’s courtroom demeanor, his or her judicial experience, helpfulness to lawyers and litigants, and activities off the bench that promote the administration of justice and civic participation.
Judge Jack has been a circuit judge since January 2021, presiding over family law cases. Previously, she had worked for twelve years as an assistant state attorney in Pinellas and Hillsborough counties. She also has served as a federal law clerk in the United States District Court for the Middle District of Florida.
“While the family law division can be a difficult station for any judge, Judge Jack has served her role in a manner that deeply reflects how much she cares about helping families in our community,” according to one nomination received by the bar association. “She is earnest, patient and compassionate, even in the most difficult situations.” She is pictured below at the event.

The courthouses in the Sixth Judicial Circuit will be closed Monday, May 25, 2026, in observance of Memorial Day. There ...
05/22/2026

The courthouses in the Sixth Judicial Circuit will be closed Monday, May 25, 2026, in observance of Memorial Day. There will still be first appearances Monday as required by law. First appearances in Pinellas County will be at the County Justice Center at 14250 49th Street North, Clearwater, beginning at 8:30 a.m. in Courtroom 14. First appearances in Pasco County will begin at 8:30 a.m. in the advisory room at the Robert D. Sumner Judicial Center at 38053 Live Oak Ave., in Dade City.

Pasco County’s Adult Drug Court judge and her administrative staff from Veterans Treatment Court attended a ribbon-cutti...
05/21/2026

Pasco County’s Adult Drug Court judge and her administrative staff from Veterans Treatment Court attended a ribbon-cutting ceremony on May 20, 2026 which marked the opening of a new permanent housing complex in New Port Richey for veterans. The ceremony was held by Steps to Recovery, a non-profit organization with provides recovery services, transitional and supportive housing and a continuum of care for homeless veterans struggling with substance abuse and mental health challenges. The new housing was made possible through funding from Pasco County, and a few grants. Pinellas-Pasco Judge Jennifer Dubbeld and her staff were on hand to express their support for such ventures, as they help Veterans Treatment Court help veterans address their issues and reject substance abuse as a way of getting back on their feet.
From left to right in the photograph below are Angela Johnson, the manager of Adult Drug Court and Veteran’s Treatment Court, Judge Dubbeld, Jo Sims, a case manager based in New Port Richey, and Shari Connelly, a case manager based in Dade City.

Each spring, a judge or two from the Sixth Judicial Circuit participate in Veterans Stand Down events, which provide med...
05/18/2026

Each spring, a judge or two from the Sixth Judicial Circuit participate in Veterans Stand Down events, which provide medical care, housing and employment assistance, as well as legal aid, to homeless and at-risk veterans. The latest was on April 24, when Pinellas-Pasco Circuit Judge Jennifer Dubbeld (pictured below) presided over court at the Concourse Rotary Pavilion in Shady Hills, in Pasco County. (Previously, on March 28, Pinellas County judges Diane Croff and Joseph Lawhorne presided at a similar event at the Bay Pines VA Healthcare System campus in Pinellas County).
Veterans, whether they served in the army, air force, or navy, pre-register for the event. Typically, they have racked up fines they haven’t paid, and which are associated with minor crimes and traffic-related infractions, such as driving a vehicle that hasn’t been registered. Along the way, their driver’s licenses have often been suspended and if those fines remain unpaid, the veterans can’t get their licenses back. The main way the judges at these events help out is by waiving those fines. That paves the way for the veterans to move forward and get their licenses back.
At the Pasco County event, 37 veterans pre-registered, and 12 were assisted, according to the Pasco County Clerk and Comptroller. All told, 73 cases were heard, what with veterans typically having been fined in more than one case. The total court costs waived came to $27,542.08. There were also 25 license clearances issued, and 31 cases recalled from collections, .

Polar, the certified courthouse facility dog, paid a visit on Monday, May 18, to Adult Drug Court at the Pinellas County...
05/18/2026

Polar, the certified courthouse facility dog, paid a visit on Monday, May 18, to Adult Drug Court at the Pinellas County Justice Center in Clearwater. Pinellas-Pasco Circuit Judge Kimberly Todd arranged the visit because she thought Polar might be of some comfort to the drug court participants who had hearings that day. And, indeed, some participants did take a moment to pet Polar, as is evidenced by the photos below.
Roughly, a year ago, the Sixth Judicial Circuit and the non-profit organization, Hero to a Child, partnered together to establish the courthouse facility program. The idea was that the animal’s presence might soothe a child, victim or witness who found themselves in a traumatic court proceeding.
If anyone affiliated with any of the major stakeholders – the state attorney’s office, the public defender’s office, the office of regional counsel, the Department of Children and Families or the Guardian ad Litem – believes the presence of a dog may help, they can contact Hero to a Child. A private attorney may do so also.
The presiding judge must approve.
First, whoever is interested in having Polar at a court proceeding must coordinate with Hero to a Child, to ensure that Polar is available. The best way to do that is to email Tammie McQueeney at [email protected]. If someone has specific questions about the program, they may call Tammie at (727) 346-8641, ext. 4.
Once Polar is reserved for a court proceeding, the attorney who asked for the canine must file a timely motion with the presiding judge asking for approval to have the dog present.
For more particulars about the program, please read the administrative order at www.jud6.org.
It’s Administrative Order No. 2025-024 PA/PI-CIR.
The circuit was able to establish the new program due to the cooperation of Pinellas County government and Pasco County government, and Canine Companions, which trains the dogs, and arranges for insurance.

Pinellas County will discontinue use of its public electric vehicle (EV) charging stations at the county’s three courtho...
05/12/2026

Pinellas County will discontinue use of its public electric vehicle (EV) charging stations at the county’s three courthouses on June 1, 2026. They are: the Pinellas County Justice Center at 14250 49th St. N., in Clearwater; the downtown Clearwater courthouse at 315 Court St.; and the St. Petersburg Judicial Building at 545 1st Ave. N. To locate alternate charging stations, drivers may want to check commercially available apps. They include ChargePoint, PlugShare, Electrify America and EVgo. (Below is a photo of the charging stations at the justice center).

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315 Court St
Clearwater, FL
33756

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