Peers laud Circuit Judge Anastasia Norman in lively investiture ceremony

FORT PIERCE — Circuit Judge Anastasia Norman recalled comments in 2007 during her last year in Stetson law school in the St. Petersburg area when then-Supreme Court Justice Antonin Scalia spoke at her school.

Scalia said that to be a good judge you must follow the law, despite where it might lead you, Norman said.

“And that means sometimes taking you to places that you don't want to go, or outcomes that you don't want to see,” Norman said. “And that's something that I'm going to carry with me throughout my career as a judge.”

Norman's remarks came the afternoon of Oct. 13 in the St. Lucie County Courthouse during an investiture ceremony full of personal and humorous anecdotes as well as professional and heartfelt recognitions.

Gov. Ron DeSantis in May announced the appointment of Norman, an assistant state attorney in the 19th Judicial Circuit since 2008, to fill the judicial vacancy left following the retirement of Circuit Judge Dan Vaughn.

Her first day on the bench was June 1, though the swearing in ceremony was Friday in a courtroom packed with supporters and peers, including Public Defender Diamond Litty, St. Lucie County Sheriff Ken Mascara, former State Attorney Bruce Colton and Port St. Lucie Police Department representatives.

Norman introduced at least 30 friends and family members.

“If this was a closing argument this would be your two minutes,” Chief Circuit Judge Charles “Tony” Schwab joked as Norman kept introducing.

Assistant State Attorney Lev Evans, a veteran prosecutor, praised Norman’s work ethic and told of how she brought him up to date in presenting evidence in a complex, economic crimes racketeering case.

Norman was to be “second chair” in the case, meaning Evans was in charge and Norman was to follow his lead.

“I quickly learned that that’s just not Anastasia,” he said.

She wanted to use a “fancy dancy computer program” as opposed to his “somewhat antiquated” overhead projector, Evans said.

Evans conceded her use of the program with the evidence was “beautiful.”

“The trial went incredibly smoothly. The evidence came out perfectly,” Evans said. “We got a quick conviction on it, and I was chagrined.”

'She's so nice while she's kicking your butt'

Evans said attorney Jerome Stone described Norman as “a house cat with claws. She's so nice while she's kicking your butt.”

He also highlighted a friendly rivalry between Norman and Circuit Judge Rebecca White, whom Norman met in law school.

Evans ticked off a number of accomplishments and life events, such as becoming a prosecutor, judge and having children, that one achieved before the other.

“They're like sisters they're sibling rivals,” Evans said.

Norman’s husband is St. Lucie County Sheriff’s Capt. Troy Norman, and Evans said the two are likely “better citizens than I will ever be.”

“They're incredibly hardworking and honest,” he said. “They care a lot.”

Troy Norman said they met in 2008 while she was a prosecutor.

“She always took time and put in the work to make each criminal investigation and trial solid as possible,” Troy Norman said.

'Man, I need to step it up'

When they began dating he was a detective. Career aspirations were discussed, and he said he wanted to be a sergeant or maybe a lieutenant. She envisioned herself running the state attorney’s office or becoming a judge.

“I sat there embarrassed by my short-sighted answer,” Troy Norman said. “I thought, ‘Man, I need to step it up.’”

He said Anastasia Norman encouraged him to go back to school, and get promoted. He said she made him a better man.

Troy Norman shared lesser known facts about his wife. She was born in Singapore where her father worked on oil rigs; her grandfather and great-grandfather were New York police officers; she’s an accomplished angler and can change her own brakes and oil.

“All will pale in comparison to Anastasia the friend, the colleague and most importantly, my wife and amazing mother to our beautiful daughters,” Troy Norman said.

Anastasia Norman said she started in Palm Beach County before coming to the 19th Judicial Circuit. At the time, Colton was state attorney, though Tom Bakkedahl, a prosecutor who worked with Colton for decades, currently holds the position.

Anastasia Norman recalled interviewing here and was told, “We will always do what's right in this circuit.”

Even when making tough decisions, decisions not always politically popular, she felt Colton and Bakkedahl always supported her.

“I will always follow the law and I will work hard for the people of the 19th Circuit,” Anastasia Norman said.

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Will Greenlee is a breaking news reporter for TCPalm. Follow Will on X @OffTheBeatTweet or reach him by phone at 772-267-7926. E-mail him at will.greenlee@tcpalm.com.

This article originally appeared on Treasure Coast Newspapers: Circuit Judge Anastasia Norman investiture humorous yet serious