Magistrates' Oath of Office Ceremony
March 23, 2005
Ninth Judicial Circuit Court
Magistrates
Thursday, March 24, 2005
1:00 p.m.
Courtroom 12D, 12 th Floor Orange County Courthouse
ORLANDO, Fla. (March 24, 2005) – Chief Judge Belvin Perry, Jr. will swear in and present gavels to the Ninth Judicial Circuit Court';s six new magistrates during a ceremony that will include the presentation of robes by family members.
The new magistrates are Maureen A. Bell, Howard D. Friedman, James E. Glatt, Jr., Maria M. Hinds, Stefania C. Jancewicz and Odessia Joyner.
“We are pleased to have such a fine group of lawyers serving the Ninth Judicial Circuit Court as magistrates,” Judge Perry said. “Magistrates are integral to assisting the judiciary move cases through the system.”
The Ninth Judicial Circuit instituted a Magistrate program after the Florida Legislature funded in during the 2004 session. Maria Hinds, formerly lead staff attorney who now serves as administrative general magistrate, began the program in July 2004 with mental health hearings and worked with the chief judge to provide research, develop workload-tracking systems and implement the overall program. Five more magistrates were subsequently hired.
Two magistrates serve in Domestic Relations and Mental Health, one serves in Domestic Relations and Juvenile Dependency, one hears matters referred by judges in the Civil Division and one works in Osceola County in Domestic Relations and Juvenile Dependency. Magistrates hear cases referred by judges.
The ceremony will include the oath of office ceremony and presentation of the gavel by Judge Perry along with a speech on the significance of the office and ceremony by Circuit Judge Lawrence Kirkwood. Eugene W. Phillips II, of Macedonia Missionary Baptist Church, will provide the invocation and benediction. A reception will follow.
If you have any questions, call Susan Clary with Court Administration at 407-836-6348 or email at ctadsc2@ocnjcc.org. For more information on the Ninth Judicial Circuit Court, go to www.ninja9.org
