Youmans using time in Marion County to set the stage for move

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Posted December 3, 2021 | By Matthew Cretul
matthew@ocalagazette.com

Circuit Judge Stacy Youmans currently hears cases in Ocala on Monday and in Citrus County from Tuesday through Friday. Once a replacement judge is seated in Citrus County, she plans to transfer to Marion County and take over the dependency and delinquency dockets.

Youmans will eventually move to Marion County full-time to replace Circuit Judge S. Sue Robbins, who retired at the end of October. Youmans said Robbins was someone to look up to during her time on the bench and she hopes she can make a similar impact on the community.

“She really handled her docket and assignment admirably and efficiently. I mean, we’re talking about some really big shoes to fill and I’m well aware of that,” Youmans said of Robbins.

While Youmans works on a similar docket in both counties, she noted the caseload is growing in Marion.  She said she plans to use her time here to get a feel for how things are done and get feedback on how the high number of cases could be attentively worked through.

“I’m going to try to use this transition as a time to really evaluate all areas and just try to do what I can to do the best possible job working for the county. I  know there’s a lot of work to be done,” she said.

“But I don’t find that to be daunting,” she added. “It’s not discouraging to know that kind of work is waiting for me. I’m motivated to jump in and do my part. I just want to help get the community to the other side of it and to move this forward.”

She praised the circuit judges hearing cases in both counties for working to ensure everyone is getting the day in court they deserve.

“I have to commend my colleagues; everyone is pitching in. It’s a group effort to make sure that we’re servicing the communities as we should,” she said.

Before Gov. Ron DeSantis appointed Youmans to the circuit court in 2019, she worked as an attorney in Ocala for nearly two decades. She said her time as a public prosecutor as well as in private practice allows her to have a full picture of both sides.

“I spent eight years working as a prosecutor, so working for the government in that capacity. And then I spent the next approximately 11 years working in the private sector for a law firm. I think I bring a very balanced perspective to this role and I believe it’s very important as a judge to treat everyone that comes before me, anyone that comes into my courtroom, with respect and to just listen,” she continued.

She said while she may preside over multiple cases in one day, especially as she works her way through a growing caseload, the individuals involved in each case deserve her undivided attention.

“It’s a job that’s meant to be about service. So, I try to remember that every day. It’s always supposed to be about the community, not about the judge. It’s important to keep that in mind when you’re talking with individuals and try to remember that their case, that person that’s in front of you, that’s the most important matter to them.  For me, maybe it’s just another case on my docket, but for them, it’s most likely a critical matter in their lives and I want to be considerate of that,” Youmans said.

Delinquency cases involve juveniles who are detained and face criminal charges, while dependency cases involve the families that are interacting with agencies such as the Department of Children and Families. The docket also involves truancy matters as well as adoptions. Youmans said the range of cases can be gratifying to work on overall.

“I find them to be very fulfilling. It’s just very rewarding work to have the potential to positively impact children and families. I’m very pleased that I’m going to be able to come to Marion County and to preside over these cases and serve the community in that capacity,” she offered.

Youmans attended the University of Georgia and graduated from Mercer University School of Law. She began her judicial career in Citrus County.  She was up for re-election in 2020 but did not draw an opponent, meaning she will face re-election in 2026.