Judge James V. Pierce: Professional Background and Legal Expertise

Pinellas County Court, Department Section UFC 1, Courtroom B

Appointed By: Gov. John E. Bush

Biography

The Hon. James V. Pierce is a judge for the Pinellas County Court in the Sixth Judicial Circuit of Florida. He was appointed to the bench by former Governor Jeb Bush in 2006.


Pierce has served as an acting circuit court judge in the United Family Court Division, where he hears cases involving juveniles, child abuse, adoptions, divorces, child custody, and guardianships. He is credited with organizing and presiding over the state’s first Homeless Specialty Court since 2010, which helps homeless defendants resolve minor misdemeanor charges, city ordinance violations, and outstanding warrants. Pierce also established and presides over the B.O.Y.S. Court (Build Optimal Youth Success) since 2016, which seeks to assist male juvenile delinquents by providing mentoring, tutoring, character development, community service, and academic enrichment.


Prior to beginning his judicial career, he had worked for State Farm Insurance Company as claim litigation counsel since 1995. Before that, Pierce spent twelve years as an assistant public defender with the Office of the Public Defender for the Sixth Judicial Circuit (1984 to 1996). He has also taught as an adjunct professor at Stetson University College of Law and St. Petersburg College.


He received a B.A. in political science and government from Bethune-Cookman University in 1980. Pierce went on to complete a J.D. at Stetson University College of Law in 1983. He is Board Certified in Criminal Trial Law by The Florida Bar (1995).


Pierce has served as a mentor for at-risk middle school and high school students through the Alpha Institute and sat on the Board of Directors of the Clearwater Neighborhood Family Community Center.


He is the recipient of the Beacon of Light Award from FreshStart Innovative Mentorship (2016), the John U. Bird Award from the Clearwater Bar Association (2013), and the Judicial Appreciation Award from the St. Petersburg Bar Association (2013).


Raised in Lowndes County, Georgia, Pierce attended Lowndes County High School. He authored a memoir detailing his path from growing up as a child in the segregated South to his appointment to the bench. He was raised by a single mother and his grandparents. To make ends meet, his grandfather worked as a sharecropper in Valdosta, Georgia. When not presiding over legal matters, Pierce enjoys spending his free time golfing, mentoring, reading, writing, sports, and chess.

Recent Cases by Hon. James V. Pierce

On May 31, 2022 a temporary child custody case was filed in the jurisdiction of Pinellas County. Judge PIERCE, JAMES presiding.

Filed

May 31, 2022

Judge

Hon. PIERCE, JAMES Trellis Spinner 👉 Discover key insights by exploring more analytics for PIERCE, JAMES

Court

Pinellas County

County

Pinellas County, FL

Category

TEMPORARY CHILD CUSTODY

Case Last Refreshed

Jun 02, 2022

On April 22, 2022 a temporary child custody case was filed in the jurisdiction of Pinellas County. Judge PIERCE, JAMES presiding.

Filed

Apr 22, 2022

Status

Other

Judge

Hon. PIERCE, JAMES Trellis Spinner 👉 Discover key insights by exploring more analytics for PIERCE, JAMES

Court

Pinellas County

County

Pinellas County, FL

Category

TEMPORARY CHILD CUSTODY

Case Last Refreshed

Sep 08, 2023

On April 13, 2022 a temporary child custody case was filed in the jurisdiction of Pinellas County. Judge PIERCE, JAMES presiding.

Filed

Apr 13, 2022

Status

Active

Judge

Hon. PIERCE, JAMES Trellis Spinner 👉 Discover key insights by exploring more analytics for PIERCE, JAMES

Court

Pinellas County

County

Pinellas County, FL

Category

TEMPORARY CHILD CUSTODY

Case Last Refreshed

Sep 09, 2023

On April 13, 2022 a temporary child custody case was filed in the jurisdiction of Pinellas County. Judge PIERCE, JAMES presiding.

Filed

Apr 13, 2022

Judge

Hon. PIERCE, JAMES Trellis Spinner 👉 Discover key insights by exploring more analytics for PIERCE, JAMES

Court

Pinellas County

County

Pinellas County, FL

Category

TEMPORARY CHILD CUSTODY

Case Last Refreshed

Apr 15, 2022

On March 31, 2022 a temporary child custody case was filed in the jurisdiction of Pinellas County. Judge PIERCE, JAMES presiding.

Filed

Mar 31, 2022

Judge

Hon. PIERCE, JAMES Trellis Spinner 👉 Discover key insights by exploring more analytics for PIERCE, JAMES

Court

Pinellas County

County

Pinellas County, FL

Category

TEMPORARY CHILD CUSTODY

Case Last Refreshed

Apr 01, 2022

On March 14, 2022 a temporary child custody case was filed in the jurisdiction of Pinellas County. Judge PIERCE, JAMES presiding.

Filed

Mar 14, 2022

Judge

Hon. PIERCE, JAMES Trellis Spinner 👉 Discover key insights by exploring more analytics for PIERCE, JAMES

Court

Pinellas County

County

Pinellas County, FL

Category

TEMPORARY CHILD CUSTODY

Case Last Refreshed

Mar 15, 2022

On February 23, 2022 a temporary child custody case was filed in the jurisdiction of Pinellas County. Judge PIERCE, JAMES presiding.

Filed

Feb 23, 2022

Status

Other

Judge

Hon. PIERCE, JAMES Trellis Spinner 👉 Discover key insights by exploring more analytics for PIERCE, JAMES

Court

Pinellas County

County

Pinellas County, FL

Category

TEMPORARY CHILD CUSTODY

Case Last Refreshed

Nov 18, 2022

On February 16, 2022 a temporary child custody case was filed in the jurisdiction of Pinellas County. Judge PIERCE, JAMES presiding.

Filed

Feb 16, 2022

Status

Other

Judge

Hon. PIERCE, JAMES Trellis Spinner 👉 Discover key insights by exploring more analytics for PIERCE, JAMES

Court

Pinellas County

County

Pinellas County, FL

Category

TEMPORARY CHILD CUSTODY

Case Last Refreshed

Sep 09, 2023

On December 20, 2021 a temporary child custody case was filed in the jurisdiction of Pinellas County. Judge PIERCE, JAMES presiding.

Filed

Dec 20, 2021

Judge

Hon. PIERCE, JAMES Trellis Spinner 👉 Discover key insights by exploring more analytics for PIERCE, JAMES

Court

Pinellas County

County

Pinellas County, FL

Category

TEMPORARY CHILD CUSTODY

Case Last Refreshed

Dec 21, 2021

On December 17, 2021 a temporary child custody case was filed in the jurisdiction of Pinellas County. Judge PIERCE, JAMES presiding.

Filed

Dec 17, 2021

Status

Other

Judge

Hon. PIERCE, JAMES Trellis Spinner 👉 Discover key insights by exploring more analytics for PIERCE, JAMES

Court

Pinellas County

County

Pinellas County, FL

Category

TEMPORARY CHILD CUSTODY

Case Last Refreshed

Oct 14, 2023

On November 23, 2021 a temporary child custody case was filed in the jurisdiction of Pinellas County. Judge PIERCE, JAMES presiding.

Filed

Nov 23, 2021

Status

Other

Judge

Hon. PIERCE, JAMES Trellis Spinner 👉 Discover key insights by exploring more analytics for PIERCE, JAMES

Court

Pinellas County

County

Pinellas County, FL

Category

TEMPORARY CHILD CUSTODY

Case Last Refreshed

Sep 10, 2023

On November 10, 2021 a temporary child custody case was filed in the jurisdiction of Pinellas County. Judge PIERCE, JAMES presiding.

Filed

Nov 10, 2021

Judge

Hon. PIERCE, JAMES Trellis Spinner 👉 Discover key insights by exploring more analytics for PIERCE, JAMES

Court

Pinellas County

County

Pinellas County, FL

Category

TEMPORARY CHILD CUSTODY

Case Last Refreshed

Nov 11, 2021

On September 7, 2021 a temporary child custody case was filed in the jurisdiction of Pinellas County. Judge PIERCE, JAMES presiding.

Filed

Sep 07, 2021

Status

Dismissal

Judge

Hon. PIERCE, JAMES Trellis Spinner 👉 Discover key insights by exploring more analytics for PIERCE, JAMES

Court

Pinellas County

County

Pinellas County, FL

Category

TEMPORARY CHILD CUSTODY

Case Last Refreshed

Oct 14, 2023

On September 1, 2021 a domestic violence injunction with kids case was filed in the jurisdiction of Pinellas County. Judge PIERCE, JAMES presiding.

Filed

Sep 01, 2021

Status

Dismissal

Judge

Hon. PIERCE, JAMES Trellis Spinner 👉 Discover key insights by exploring more analytics for PIERCE, JAMES

Court

Pinellas County

County

Pinellas County, FL

Category

DOMESTIC VIOLENCE INJUNCTION WITH KIDS

Practice Area

Family

Matter Type

Domestic Violence

Case Last Refreshed

Nov 06, 2022

On August 11, 2021 a temporary child custody case was filed in the jurisdiction of Pinellas County. Judge PIERCE, JAMES presiding.

Filed

Aug 11, 2021

Status

Active

Judge

Hon. PIERCE, JAMES Trellis Spinner 👉 Discover key insights by exploring more analytics for PIERCE, JAMES

Court

Pinellas County

County

Pinellas County, FL

Category

TEMPORARY CHILD CUSTODY

Case Last Refreshed

Oct 14, 2023

On August 5, 2021 a temporary child custody case was filed in the jurisdiction of Pinellas County. Judge PIERCE, JAMES presiding.

Filed

Aug 05, 2021

Status

Other

Judge

Hon. PIERCE, JAMES Trellis Spinner 👉 Discover key insights by exploring more analytics for PIERCE, JAMES

Court

Pinellas County

County

Pinellas County, FL

Category

TEMPORARY CHILD CUSTODY

Case Last Refreshed

Sep 11, 2023

On July 27, 2021 a temporary child custody case was filed in the jurisdiction of Pinellas County. Judge PIERCE, JAMES presiding.

Filed

Jul 27, 2021

Judge

Hon. PIERCE, JAMES Trellis Spinner 👉 Discover key insights by exploring more analytics for PIERCE, JAMES

Court

Pinellas County

County

Pinellas County, FL

Category

TEMPORARY CHILD CUSTODY

Case Last Refreshed

Jul 28, 2021

On July 26, 2021 a temporary child custody case was filed in the jurisdiction of Pinellas County. Judge PIERCE, JAMES presiding.

Filed

Jul 26, 2021

Status

Dismissal

Judge

Hon. PIERCE, JAMES Trellis Spinner 👉 Discover key insights by exploring more analytics for PIERCE, JAMES

Court

Circuit

County

Pinellas County, FL

Category

TEMPORARY CHILD CUSTODY

Case Last Refreshed

Feb 02, 2023

On July 2, 2021 a temporary child custody case was filed in the jurisdiction of Pinellas County. Judge PIERCE, JAMES presiding.

Filed

Jul 02, 2021

Status

Other

Judge

Hon. PIERCE, JAMES Trellis Spinner 👉 Discover key insights by exploring more analytics for PIERCE, JAMES

Court

Pinellas County

County

Pinellas County, FL

Category

TEMPORARY CHILD CUSTODY

Case Last Refreshed

Jan 31, 2022

On June 15, 2021 a domestic violence injunction with kids case was filed in the jurisdiction of Pinellas County. Judge PIERCE, JAMES presiding.

Filed

Jun 15, 2021

Judge

Hon. PIERCE, JAMES Trellis Spinner 👉 Discover key insights by exploring more analytics for PIERCE, JAMES

Court

Pinellas County

County

Pinellas County, FL

Category

DOMESTIC VIOLENCE INJUNCTION WITH KIDS

Practice Area

Family

Matter Type

Domestic Violence

Case Last Refreshed

Oct 22, 2022

On May 17, 2021 a temporary child custody case was filed in the jurisdiction of Pinellas County. Judge PIERCE, JAMES presiding.

Filed

May 17, 2021

Judge

Hon. PIERCE, JAMES Trellis Spinner 👉 Discover key insights by exploring more analytics for PIERCE, JAMES

Court

Pinellas County

County

Pinellas County, FL

Category

TEMPORARY CHILD CUSTODY

Case Last Refreshed

Oct 15, 2021

On April 29, 2021 a temporary child custody case was filed in the jurisdiction of Pinellas County. Judge PIERCE, JAMES presiding.

Filed

Apr 29, 2021

Judge

Hon. PIERCE, JAMES Trellis Spinner 👉 Discover key insights by exploring more analytics for PIERCE, JAMES

Court

Pinellas County

County

Pinellas County, FL

Category

TEMPORARY CHILD CUSTODY

Case Last Refreshed

Apr 30, 2021

On April 14, 2021 a temporary child custody case was filed in the jurisdiction of Pinellas County. Judge PIERCE, JAMES presiding.

Filed

Apr 14, 2021

Judge

Hon. PIERCE, JAMES Trellis Spinner 👉 Discover key insights by exploring more analytics for PIERCE, JAMES

Court

Pinellas County

County

Pinellas County, FL

Category

TEMPORARY CHILD CUSTODY

Case Last Refreshed

Jan 15, 2022

On April 14, 2021 a domestic violence injunction with kids case was filed in the jurisdiction of Pinellas County. Judge PIERCE, JAMES presiding.

Filed

Apr 14, 2021

Judge

Hon. PIERCE, JAMES Trellis Spinner 👉 Discover key insights by exploring more analytics for PIERCE, JAMES

Court

Pinellas County

County

Pinellas County, FL

Category

DOMESTIC VIOLENCE INJUNCTION WITH KIDS

Practice Area

Family

Matter Type

Domestic Violence

Case Last Refreshed

Feb 09, 2022

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