Through a lifetime of service, Judge Craig McCarthy has earned the trust of residents. As a military veteran, he understands the importance of justice and service. As a lawyer he passionately advocated for marginalized communities, securing access to resources and protection for vulnerable families and children. Now on the bench in the 9th Judicial Circuit Court, Judge McCarthy consistently upholds the highest standards of fairness and respect, ensuring every voice is heard in his courtroom. It is time to Keep Judge McCarthy.
Judge McCarthy grew up in Central Florida, his family having moved to the Space Coast when he was eleven-years-old. As a cadet at West Point (the United States Military Academy) he learned and internalized several lessons that have stayed with him and guided him ever since. Among these are the call to a lifetime of service, the importance of honor, and to "never be content with a half truth when the whole can be won."
Upon graduation Cadet McCarthy became Lieutenant McCarthy, serving with the storied Berlin Brigade as an artillery officer. Having been stationed behind the Iron Curtain at the time of the fall of the Berlin Wall gave McCarthy a front row seat to witness the rule of law contrasted with the experience of those who cannot seek redress of grievances. McCarthy's conversations with people he met in both Eastern and Western Europe have shaped much of who he is today, and helps to explain why Judge McCarthy is well known for treating everyone in his courtroom with the dignity deserved by free people. After military service McCarthy returned home to Central Florida to practice law. He made a career of representing indigent people and advocating for parentless children in dependency court.
Since becoming Judge McCarthy, he has dramatically reduced the wait time both for hearings and for signed orders in his domestic relations (family law) division and is proud and honored to serve the people of Central Florida as one of their judges.
SERVICE AND BACKGROUND
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Served as a Field Artillery Officer, United States Army, Active Duty
(1989-1992) and Served with the Army Individual Ready Reserves
(1992-2005). While serving, Judge McCarthy was awarded the Army
Commendation Medal, Army of Occupation Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Army Service Ribbon, and Parachutist Badge.
Served as the Soil and Water District Supervisor and Chair for the
Ochlockonee River Soil and Water Conservation District (1999-2001).
Served as a Chair of the Public Interest Law Section of the Florida Bar.
Served as the Founding Chair of the Parents Advocacy Committee of the
Public Interest Law Section.
Served as Committee Member on a Florida Bar Select Committee, by
invitation of the Bar president, on a special committee for child and
parent representation (2017-2019).
Currently Serving on the Dependency Court Improvement Panel for the
Office of State Court Administration (2021 – Present).
Member of the inaugural class of Board Certified Juvenile Law Attorneys.
Recognized as a recipient of Florida Bar President’s Award “in
recognition of…dedication to advancing continuing legal education the
public interest”.
Recognized within the Florida Statewide Guardian ad Litem Program as
“outstanding advocate” awardee for the Ninth Circuit of Florida.
