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Daniel B. Merritt, Jr.

Chief Judge

Judicial Assistant: Joyce Weeks
Office:
 352-754-4480
Fax: 352-754-4265

Criminal Docket

Judge Merritt, Jr. allows in-person or Zoom appearances by attorneys.  Zoom links are sent to the attorney of record the day before the scheduled hearing date.  *Attorneys and defendants are required to appear in-person at the Pre-Trial Hearing before Trial. *

Courtesy copies of motions should be e-mailed to jweeks@circuit5.org once they have been e-filed.

Please have the credit for time served computed BEFORE court begins when the defendant is going to plea.

Credit time served form

Plea agreement form

Pro se motions must be filed with the Clerk of Circuit Court, Criminal Division, with copies to the State Attorney and the Judge’s office.  Pro se motions will not be accepted via e-mail.  This includes motions to modify probation or early terminate probation.  They must be filed with the Clerk of Circuit Court.  The Clerk has offices in Brooksville and Spring Hill.  Please check their website www.hernandoclerk.com for location addresses.

Interpreting services must be requested via the www.circuit5.org website well in advance of the hearing.

Juvenile Delinquency Docket

Judge Merritt, Jr. allows in-person or Zoom appearances by attorneys.  Zoom links are sent to the attorney of record the day before the scheduled hearing date.

Courtesy copies of motions should be e-mailed to jweeks@circuit5.org once they have been e-filed.

Interpreting services must be requested via the www.circuit5.org website well in advance of the hearing.

Guardianship Docket

As of January 1, 2024, the Guardianship Docket will be assigned to Judge Pam Vergara.  Please contact the Guardianship Clerks or Judge Vergara’s office for procedures, hearing dates and anything related to Guardianships.

*NOTICE TO THE PUBLIC:* The Code of Judicial Conduct governing behavior by judges forbids the Judges of the Fifth Judicial Circuit to discuss pending cases with the public. Please do not call the Court expecting to speak with a Judge about any case. The Court is only allowed to consider arguments made in the courtroom and in documents properly filed by actual parties in the case as authorized by law and the Rules of Court. The Court cannot ethically read or consider any other opinions or arguments about the case. Communications that do not meet these legal requirements cannot be forwarded to the Judges.