James V. Pierce

Judge James V. Pierce writes of his humble beginnings as the son of a single mother who lived in a three-room house with his siblings and grandparents, while his grandfather worked as a sharecropper in Valdosta, Georgia. But throughout the narrative, Judge Pierce stresses the positive, such as his grandfather's skill as a farmer, and the love his grandmother and grandfather had for one another. He also revisits his college days, when he was a tuba player in Bethune-Cookman College's famed marching band, his years at Stetson University College of Law, and his career as an assistant public defender and as a lawyer before he was appointed County Judge by then Gov. Jeb Bush in 2006.

In 2010 Judge Pierce organized and presided over Florida’s First Homeless Court sessions in an effort to prevent minor criminal cases from standing in the way of defendants’ efforts to emerge from homelessness. In 2016, Judge Pierce organized the 6th Judicial Circuit’s first Boy’s Court that targets male juvenile delinquents to B_uild O_ptimal Y_outh S_uccess through character development, enlightening speakers, mentoring, community service, tutoring and academic enrichment.

Judge Pierce received the following awards and honors: May 2016 FreshStart Innovative Mentorship Beacon of Light Award for exemplifying extraordinary community service; May 2013 John U. Bird Award from Clearwater Bar Association in grateful recognition of Extraordinary Service on the bench; May 2013 Law Day Recipient of St. Petersburg Bar Association Judicial Appreciation Award for continuing commitment to improve the quality of justice in the 6th Judicial Circuit.

Judge Pierce is a 1980 graduate of Bethune – Cookman College now University where he received a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Political Science with honors. In 1983 he received his Juris Doctorate Degree from Stetson University College of Law. His legal practice included the 6th Judicial Circuit Public Defender’s Office from 1984 -1996 and Claim Litigation Counsel for State Farm Insurance Company from 1996 -2006.

Judge Pierce, an avid golfer and sports fanatic enjoys bicycling and traveling with his wife, Charmaine. His other past times include chess, swimming, reading.