Announcements

2022 Chief Justice’s Distinguished Service Award Recipient Chief Judge Bonnie J. Helms

KEY WEST, FL— The 16th Judicial Circuit is pleased to announce that Chief Judge Bonnie J. Helms is the recipient of the 2022 Chief Justice’s Distinguished Judicial Service Award. This award is presented annually to one judge in the State of Florida to honor and recognize outstanding service as it relates to the support of pro bono legal services. The award will be presented by Chief Justice Charles Canady at a ceremony at the Supreme Court of Florida in Tallahassee on January 20, 2022.

Judge Helms was elected to the Sixteenth Judicial Circuit Court bench in 2014 and ran without opposition in 2020. She currently sits in the Family and Civil Divisions in Key West and beginning January 1, 2022, she will be assigned to the Family Division in Marathon. She was recently elected by her colleagues as Chief Judge for a two-year term which began July 1, 2021. Judge Helms is also the current chair of the Sixteenth Judicial Circuit’s Pro Bono Committee, which educates local attorneys on the need to provide pro bono services and promotes to the public the benefits of pro bono services that local attorneys and Legal Services of the Florida Keys provide through clinics and individual representation.
The Distinguished Judicial Service award is presented at the annual Pro Bono Award Ceremony in Tallahassee, in which the Florida Supreme Court and the Florida Bar also honor and recognize individual, circuit, Voluntary Bar, Law Firm, Young Lawyers Division and Distinguished Federal Judicial Service recipients for their efforts in ensuring access to justice for those who could otherwise not afford it.

2024 Employee of the Quarter (October-December) – Julie Wiktorek

CONGRATULATIONS!

Congratulations to Julie Wiktorek, Court Reporter II, on being selected as the Employee of the Quarter for October–December 2024!

Julie has been an integral member of the Court Reporting Services Team since 2013, serving as the sole stenographer for the 16th Judicial Circuit. She holds the prestigious Registered Professional Reporter (RPR) certification, reflecting her expertise and commitment to excellence in court reporting.

In her role, Julie is responsible for creating verbatim transcripts of court proceedings—a task she executes with unmatched meticulousness and professionalism. As part of her responsibilities, she provides support across all three courthouses, whenever needed, ensuring that every statutorily required hearing and trial is covered seamlessly and without interruption.

Julie’s extensive knowledge and dedication have elevated the performance of the Court Reporting Services Team and the circuit as a whole. She is a trusted expert in reporting and transcript preparation, consistently delivering accurate and meticulously formatted records. Colleagues turn to Julie as a trusted resource for her extensive knowledge in areas such as language, audio, formatting, and beyond.

A master of her craft, Julie exemplifies speed, accuracy, and efficiency. Her flawless documentation is the result of years of dedication and a relentless commitment to refining her skills. Even in the face of a demanding workload, Julie willingly steps up to assist in any capacity, including supporting the “digital” side of operations, such as recording and annotating live hearings.

Julie’s positive attitude, professionalism, and unwavering pursuit of excellence make her an invaluable asset to the 16th Judicial Circuit. Her dedication not only ensures the highest quality of service but also inspires those around her.

We are deeply grateful for Julie’s outstanding contributions and are thrilled to celebrate her well-earned recognition as Employee of the Quarter.

2024 Employee of the Quarter (July-September) – Maria Maynard

CONGRATULATIONS!

Congratulations to Maria Maynard, Court Interpreter (Certified), for being selected as the Employee of the Quarter for July – September 2024. Since joining the 16th Judicial Circuit in July 2004, Maria has consistently demonstrated her exceptional skills and unwavering dedication to both the Court Administration team and the judiciary. Her commitment and passion for her work serve as an inspiration to us all. Over the past two decades, she has proven herself to be an invaluable asset whose work significantly enhances the operations of the court.

As a Court Interpreter, Maria plays a vital role as a linguistic bridge, ensuring clear, accurate, and meaningful communication for Spanish-speaking parties involved in court proceedings. Whether handling misdemeanors, felonies, domestic violence cases, mental health hearings, or juvenile matters, Maria’s interpreting goes beyond a simple word-for-word translation. She expertly conveys the subtleties and intentions behind the spoken words, ensuring all parties-including the court-understand each other fully and without ambiguity.

Maria’s meticulous approach is evident in her commitment to continual research between hearings. Whether consulting specialized dictionaries, exploring online forums, or reviewing legal-specific publications, she goes the extra mile to ensure the precise translation of complex legal terminology and jargon. Her dedication to confidentiality and impartiality is unwavering, and her ethical standards are exemplary.

Her mastery of consecutive interpretation truly stands out among Maria’s many strengths. She consistently delivers renditions that preserve the statements’ original meaning, tone, and context, enabling seamless communication during even the most challenging court sessions.

In addition to her primary responsibilities, Maria is always willing to assist with various tasks for Court Administration, including answering phones, handling warrants, and mail runs -further demonstrating her commitment to teamwork.

Maria’s dedication, professionalism, and relentless pursuit of excellence make her an indispensable member of the 16th Judicial Circuit. We are immensely grateful for her contributions and congratulate her on this well­ earned recognition as Employee of the Quarter.