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12th Judicial Circuit

Lon Arend to become 12th Circuit judge

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Lon S. Arend will be the next judge on the 12th Judicial Circuit bench for DeSoto, Manatee and Sarasota counties. Gov. Rick Scott‘s office announced the pick Wednesday. Arend, 46, of Palmetto, is the circuit’s Chief Assistant State Attorney, or top deputy prosecutor, having joined that office in 1995. “During his time with the State Attorney’s Office, Arend has served in numerous capacities including Deputy Chief Assistant State Attorney, Homicide Division Chief, and Felony Division Chief,” a press release said. Arend got his undergraduate degree…

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Judge who took Rays tickets from law firm quits bench

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The Bradenton trial judge who accepted baseball tickets from a law firm representing a woman whose personal injury case he was presiding over has resigned from the bench. Circuit Judge John F. Lakin resigned Monday from the 12th Judicial Circuit. It serves DeSoto, Manatee and Sarasota counties. The news was first reported Thursday by Law360. Lakin, elected in 2012, was facing a judicial conduct inquiry by the state’s Judicial Qualifications Commission (JQC), which said he demonstrated “a present unfitness to serve.” Because he quit, the state dismissed the…

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Judicial conduct panel charges Bradenton judge over Rays baseball tickets

in The Bay and the 'Burg/Top Headlines by

A Bradenton trial judge was charged Monday with accepting baseball tickets from a law firm representing a woman whose personal injury case he was presiding over. Circuit Judge John F. Lakin was accused of violating the state’s Code of Judicial Conduct by the Judicial Qualifications Commission (JQC), which said he demonstrated “a present unfitness to serve.” The JQC investigates allegations of judicial misconduct. Lakin called Kallins, Little & Delgado, the plaintiff’s law firm, and asked for tickets for a Tampa Bay Rays and…

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