Judge Woolsey welcomed to the bench

On Thursday, July 20, the investiture was held at the Ponte Vedra Concert Hall for St. Johns County Court Judge Casey L. Woolsey, who was elected in 2022. Retired Judge Charles J. Tinlin administered the oath of office and Woosley’s family took part in the program.

The Recorder reached out to Woolsey to learn a little bit more about her. Her responses follow.

As you take on this new role, what do you want readers to know? How have your experiences prepared you?

My legal and non-legal experiences have all helped with my transition to my new role as County Court Judge. My legal experience in criminal, civil and family law provided a strong foundation in legal knowledge and critical thinking. My experience with local nonprofit boards has cultivated my ability to empathize with different perspectives and acknowledge the human side of each legal dispute. Most importantly, my role as a mother to four young boys constantly requires conflict resolution skills and lots and lots of patience! Surprisingly, there is a lot of overlap in what’s required to be a Judge, and a Mom!

Do you have an overarching philosophy regarding the law that you’d like to share?

As a County Court Judge, I handle cases involving monetary disputes under $50,000, criminal misdemeanor charges, evictions and other criminal and civil matters. Many of the plaintiffs and defendants in my courtroom do not have legal counsel, and it’s important to me that the justice system remains accessible to everyone, including those who cannot afford or choose not to hire attorneys. I try to keep the procedures and rules simplified to allow individuals to present their cases, even when they have no legal experience.

Do you have some things you hope to achieve during your tenure?

Our community is one of the safest in Florida, but we are experiencing rapid growth, and as a result, our County and Circuit will experience a lot of change throughout my time on the bench. As our community grows, I plan to implement case management techniques to maintain efficiency despite the rising number of cases due to population growth. I hope to maintain the public’s trust and confidence in our judicial system and implement procedures and practices to keep the legal process accessible and understandable to everyone in our community.

Who are some of the people who have inspired you?

Having practiced in Northeast Florida for over a decade, I’m proud to call many of our County and Circuit Judges my mentors. We have an excellent bench and legal bar in our community, and I’m proud to be part of it.

What would you tell young people considering a career in the law?

I would encourage young people interested in a career in the law to reach out to a local attorney who practices an area of law they are interested in and ask to shadow or intern with them. Volunteering with local nonprofits, charities and legal aid is also a great way to understand the type of needs our community has, and to explore ways the legal system can help meet those needs.