The Treasure Coast legal community has officially welcomed its newest member to the bench. In a deeply personal investiture ceremony, Vero Beach native Robert E. Stone Jr. took the oath of office as a judge for Florida’s 19th Judicial Circuit. The ceremony, held at the St. Lucie County Courthouse in downtown Fort Pierce, marked a significant professional milestone for a local family with deep roots in the regional justice system.
For Stone Jr., born and raised in Vero Beach and a 1999 graduate of St. Edward’s High School, the February 2026 event was a family affair. He was sworn in by his older sister, Indian River County Judge Robyn E. Stone. Watching proudly was their father, Bob Stone, who holds his own historical significance as the 19th Judicial Circuit’s first elected state attorney—a role he held for more than a decade beginning in the early 1970s. Chief Judge Charles Tony Schwab presided over the crowded courtroom, which was attended by numerous local elected officials, including Public Defender Diamond Litty and State Attorney Tom Bakkedahl.
Reflecting on his journey to the bench, Circuit Judge Robert E. Stone Jr. emphasized that the investiture ceremony was truly about honoring all the people who supported and guided him to this achievement.
The path to this judicial seat began late last year. Key details surrounding the appointment include:
- The Appointment: Florida Governor Ron DeSantis appointed Stone Jr. to the circuit court bench in October 2025.
- Professional Background: Prior to his judicial appointment, Stone Jr. served the public as a dedicated prosecutor, a position he held since 2019.
- The Vacancy: The 19th Judicial Circuit seat became available following the May 2025 resignation of former Circuit Judge Brett Waronicki. The resignation came after Waronicki faced DUI and drug-related charges stemming from incidents in April 2025 in Martin County.
As Judge Stone Jr. assumes his new responsibilities, his lifelong connection to Vero Beach and his family’s enduring legacy in Indian River County and the broader Treasure Coast region bring a strong sense of local continuity to the 19th Judicial Circuit.
