New 14th Judicial Circuit judge seat filled to help oversee growing Bay County caseloads

PANAMA CITY — Brandon Young says he was both "humbled" and "thrilled" to learn he would be among two new judges added this year to the 14th Judicial Circuit of Florida.

While Young, a 44-year-old Bonifay resident, was technically sworn into the position on Jan. 1, a ceremony was held Friday at the Holmes County Courthouse for Gov. Ron DeSantis to formerly commission him as circuit judge.

"I just hope to live up to being a 14th Judicial Circuit Judge," Young said. "It's an honor ... and it's a tall task to be colleagues with the rest of the judges because we have some really, really good judges."

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Young noted that the he was appointed because the State Legislature funded two new judge positions in the 14th judicial circuit to handle growing case loads in the area.

His circuit covers all of Calhoun County, where his main office is located, along with 33% of the family law cases in Bay County.

"It's a big deal to me," Young said of becoming a judge. "It's just something that I've always aspired to and I think most attorneys feel the same way. It's just a honor to be a judge."

According to a press release from the 14th Judicial Circuit of Florida, Young graduated from Holmes County High School in 1995 before completing his undergraduate degree at the University of West Florida. He then attended law school at the University of Florida, where he graduated in 2001.

Young said he has about 17 years experience working for the State Attorney's Office, in addition to about four years spent as a private prosecutor. He was chief assistant state attorney for the majority of his time at the State Attorney's Office.

The press release also states he has worked as general counsel for Holmes County Board of County Commissioners and a member of the Board of Trustees for Chipola College.

Young described himself as an avid fisherman, hunter and outdoorsman.

He and his wife, Sherry Young, will celebrate their 18th anniversary this year. They have two children, Madison White, 23 and Braydon Young, 16.

"I think ... what set me apart to get the appointment is that I have a lot of trial experience," Young said. "I've done a lot of jury trials and I have not just criminal experience or not civil experience, (but experience in) both.

"I'm very humbled and thrilled about the whole experience and I can't wait to get to work, do my best and make everybody proud."

This article originally appeared on The News Herald: Bay County gets new 14th Judicial Circuit of Florida judge seat filled