F R O M T H E C L E R K O F C O U R T & C O M P T R O L L E R C i n d y S t u a r t – C l e r k o f C o u r t & C o m p t r o l l e r , T h i r t e e n t h J u d i c i a l C i r c u i t
Helpingthosewhosacrificed forourCountry
theveteransoutreachCourtisalaboroflove forJudgemanningandforourclerks .
For the last several years , my court staff has looked forward to a special event designed to help military veterans who have hit hard times .
The Veterans Outreach Court was the brainchild of County Court Judge Daryl Manning . He is an Army veteran who served several tours of duty in Iraq , Afghanistan , Saudi Arabia , and Kuwait before retiring in 2015 as a Lieutenant Colonel .
It is a labor of love for the judge and for our clerks . It requires a tremendous amount of work , planning and preparation , as well as coordination with our judicial partners in the 13th Judicial Circuit Court , Public Defender ’ s Office , and State Attorney ’ s Office .
The event is held around Veterans Day at the James A . Haley Veterans Hospital Primary Care Annex at 13515 Lake Terrace Lane in Tampa . Last year ’ s event was canceled due to the COVID-19 pandemic , and this year ’ s court will be held outdoors under tents as a safety precaution on November 19 at 9 a . m .
The cases mainly involve driver ’ s license suspensions and some misdemeanors , but no felonies . To participate , a veteran must register in advance . A veteran ’ s case is screened by the State Attorney ’ s Office to make sure it is eligible . Public defenders also review the cases to see if their attorneys can assist the veterans in pleading their cases . My office mails court notices to every qualified veteran in advance . Dozens of veterans ’ cases are handled on this one day . The Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles is on site so veterans who get their driving
Staff involved in 2019 Veterans Outreach Court at the James A . Haley Veterans Hospital in Tampa .
privileges restored can leave with a license in hand , which is a key part of getting their lives back on track .
Handling so many cases in one day requires a team of 12-15 court clerks , many of whom are veterans themselves . “ They look forward to it because they ’ re able to go out and assist other veterans ,” says Brandi Williams , senior director of criminal courts , who helps coordinate the event for my office . “ It ’ s just a joy to see . So many of them want to hug you and thank you for helping them so they can start their life again .
Most of us take a driver ’ s license for granted . This seemingly insignificant item can make a difference in helping someone find a job and a place to live . Hillsborough County is home to nearly 100,000 military veterans . I am so pleased that my office can help those who have served their country at its time of need . n
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