OFFICE OF THE PUBLIC DEFENDER 12th JUDICIAL CIRCUIT of FLORIDA LARRY L. EGER, Public Defender Serving, DeSoto, Manatee, & Sarasota Counties
Divisions
DeSoto
DeSoto Divisions
County Criminal Court
Florida County Courts have jurisdiction over criminal traffic cases and misdemeanor criminal cases. A misdemeanor is any criminal offense punishable by imprisonment in a county correctional facility for less than one year. The County Criminal Division has one County Judge in DeSoto County.
Circuit Criminal Court
Florida Circuit Criminal Courts have jurisdiction in all criminal felonies. Felonies are criminal offenses that are punishable by imprisonment in a state penitentiary or death. The 12th Circuit Criminal Division has two Circuit Judges in DeSoto County.
Desoto County Courthouse is in Arcadia, Florida. The Office of the Public Defender is housed inside the Courthouse. The criminal division in Desoto County is divided into Division I and II.
Division I is the Criminal Circuit Court. Division I handles all defendants A-Z who are accused of a felony offense.
Division II is the Criminal County Court. Division II handles all defendants A-Z who are accused of a misdemeanor, criminal traffic, or ordinance offenses.
