Judge Robbins to retire

Circuit Judge S. Sue Robbins is retiring on Oct. 31, after 21 years of service.

The remainder of her six-year term, which would have ended in the 2022 election cycle, will be filled by Circuit Court Judge Stacy Youmans who will transfer from Citrus County.

Judge Robbins is the third judge in Marion County to retire in 2021, following County Judge Sarah Ritterhoff Williams in May and Circuit Judge Edward Scott in June.

In her official retirement letter to DeSantis, dated June 18, Robbins said, “Health and family considerations have caused me to retire before the end of my term and previously announced retirement date. Thank you, on behalf of the state, for the opportunity to serve these past 21 years.”

Robbins is a 1974 graduate of the University of Central Arkansas, where she earned double major degrees in English and philosophy. She received her Juris Doctor degree in 1980 from Southern Illinois University.

Jeffrey K. Fuller, Chief Deputy Court Administrator, detailed some of Judge Robbins’ career history highlights:

• 2000 – Began career on the bench as Marion County judge.
• 2002 – Appointed a circuit judge.
• 2011 – Received the “Angel in Adoptions” Award, given by the Congressional Coalition of Adoption Initiatives (CCAI).
• 2017 through 2019 – Served as the Chief Judge of the Fifth Judicial Circuit, which includes Marion, Citrus, Sumter, Hernando and Lake. Judge Robbins was the first woman to hold this position in the Fifth Judicial Circuit.

During her 16 years on the bench, Robbins became well known for her overseeing the dependency docket, which involves children who have been abused, abandoned, or neglected, including cases of termination of parental rights as well as adoption.

While chief judge, she handled managerial, administrative, and leadership responsibilities for the entire circuit, according to Florida’s Judicial Administration Rules. A chief judge can implement new policies, sign administrative orders, and assign judges to positions in county or circuit courts.

A retiring judge may return as a senior judge to help with court caseloads, following one year of retirement. Fuller said that Robbins will not be returning to the position of a senior judge in the future.

Judge Robbins could not be reached for comment.