Flagler County Court Judge Melissa Distler was recently recognized with the Harvey Ford Award by the Conference of County Court Judges of Florida. She shares what it means to be a recipient with Flagler News Weekly readers.
Tell readers who you are and how you became a judge.
My name is Melissa Distler, and I am a County Court Judge in Flagler County. I was elected in 2012 and began my first term in January 2013. At that time, there was only one County Judge in Flagler, so all county cases, both criminal and civil, were assigned to my division. Subsequently, the 2019 legislators advocated for and created a second County Court position in Flagler. When Judge Andrea Totten was appointed and seated in November 2019, she was assigned all county civil cases. As a result, I have been assigned exclusively to the criminal division since late 2019. I also handle juvenile delinquency cases by assignment, and all judges in the circuit are cross-assigned to handle all other types of cases if needed.
Before being elected to the bench, I was in private practice from 2001 through 2012 concentrating on criminal defense and family law matters. From 1998 to 2001, I worked as an assistant state attorney for the State Attorney’s Office, Seventh Judicial Circuit, handling a variety of misdemeanor, felony, domestic violence, child sex offense, and career criminal cases. I am currently and have been Board Certified in Criminal Trial Law since 2006.
What is the most rewarding part of being a judge for you?
On the bench, the most rewarding part of being a judge is seeing someone improve their personal circumstances. We all make mistakes. I enjoy seeing people learn from their mistakes, correct errors, and achieve personal growth. I strive to give litigants tools to address any issues they may be encountering, and I thoroughly enjoy seeing their growth.
Outside of the courtroom, the most rewarding part of being a judge is making friends with other judges across the entire state. I am so grateful to have met hundreds of amazing judges throughout Florida, many of whom I now consider dear friends. At this past conference, two of my dearest friends received awards as well. Neither of them knew it was coming, but I knew for both of them in advance. I also nominated the person who received our non-judicial award. We had a box of tissues on stage because we all ended up crying at some point. These beautiful moments are the most rewarding to me.
You serve on the bench but have also made educating the next generation of judges a priority. Share a bit about what that entails and why it’s important.
When a judge makes headlines for some error, the entire judicial branch looks bad. The best way to prevent those errors is to give all our judges, especially new judges, as much information and as many resources as possible. Judicial education is a perfect way to pay it forward. When you teach, you learn. Being aware of legislative changes, monitoring new appellate decisions, and synthesizing that information into teaching materials for other judges keeps me prepared for my own court appearances. Judging isn’t a competitive sport. I want us all sitting with the most information and best resources possible so that we all make the best decisions. When I share the knowledge I have gained over the past 14 years in this position, I hope to help the newer generation navigate a smooth transition.
You were recently awarded the Harvey Ford Award. What does that recognize and what does it mean to you to receive it?
The Harvey Ford Award is given annually to a County Court Judge who has shown dedication of service to the community, to the legal profession, and to the conference itself. It is the highest award that the Conference of County Court Judges of Florida presents. Nominations are solicited statewide, and any County Judge can nominate any other County Judge. I was nominated by two close friends, mentors, and Past Presidents of the Conference, Marion County Judge Tommy Thompson and Duval County Judge Gary Flower. It was such an honor just to be nominated, especially by two individuals who have themselves done so much for their communities and our Conference. I am humbled that the Awards Committee chose me to be the recipient this year. I will cherish this award for the rest of my career.
How do you hope to continue serving the Seventh Circuit and judicial system in general during your time on the bench?
I hope to keep doing what I am doing: staying abreast of the law and maintaining a scholarly interest in it to be the best jurist I can be; staying engaged with the Florida Bar and participating in committees to share a perspective from the branch for the betterment of the state; staying connected to Flagler County through community engagement activities such as Tiger Bay, Flagler County Education Foundation, Flagler County Bar Association, Flagler Cares, and others; mentoring new judges within the Seventh Judicial Circuit and around the state of Florida.
About Judge D. Melissa Distler: Judge D. Melissa Distler has served as a Flagler County Court Judge since 2013, presiding over criminal and juvenile delinquency cases after a distinguished career as both a prosecutor and defense attorney. Board Certified in Criminal Trial Law since 2006, she has held numerous statewide judicial leadership roles, including President of the Conference of County Court Judges. Judge Distler is widely recognized for advancing judicial education, mentoring students, and improving the justice system, including helping establish Flagler County’s Pre-Trial Release Program. She received the prestigious Judge Amy Karan Award (2023) and Harvey Ford Award (2026) for her service and leadership.
