A historic milestone has been reached within the Indian River County judicial system. For the first time in history, every judge presiding over the county’s courts—both at the County and Circuit levels—is a woman. Following new docket assignments and a series of appointments and elections, the bench is now entirely comprised of female jurists, marking a significant shift from the days when the “old boys’ club” dominated the local legal landscape.
The current roster of judges serving Indian River County includes Circuit Court judges Cynthia Cox, Victoria Griffin, Anastasia Norman, and Rebecca White, alongside County Court judges Robyn Stone and Nicole Menz. This all-female bench represents a major evolution for the 19th Judicial Circuit, which covers Indian River, St. Lucie, Martin, and Okeechobee counties.
It took until 1989 for Florida’s 19th Judicial Circuit—which includes Vero Beach—to swear in its first female judge. Today, 13 out of the 28 judges serving within the circuit are women.
Breaking Barriers and Building Resilience
Circuit Court Judge Cynthia Cox, the most senior among the group, has witnessed this transformation firsthand. Admitted to the Florida Bar in 1986 and becoming a judge in 1996, Cox recalls a time when she was often the only woman in the room. As a Vero Beach High School alumna and graduate of Florida State University’s Levin School of Law, she returned to the area in 1989 to open her practice.
Cox noted that she had to “learn to be tough” in an era where condescending comments were common. Over her tenure, she has been instrumental in modernizing local court access, including fighting for the establishment and funding of Vero’s mental health court and developing legal forms that eventually led to the creation of the self-serve pro se litigant facilities used today.
The Next Generation of Leadership
County Court Judge Nicole Menz, who joined the bench in 2018 after a successful career as a prosecutor and private practitioner, sees her role as both an achievement and an opportunity for mentorship. Menz noted that while women were outnumbered in law schools when she began her training, the demographics have shifted significantly, with women now making up a substantial portion of Florida Bar members.
Circuit Court Judge Victoria Griffin, admitted to the Bar in 2003, joined Cox on the bench in 2015. Griffin emphasized that her goal is to improve lives by resolving conflicts fairly, stating that she strives to treat every individual with patience and respect.
Diverse Backgrounds Serving the Community
The current bench brings a wealth of diverse professional experiences to the courtroom. County Court Judge Robyn Stone, appointed in 2020, took a unique path to the judiciary. Before attending law school, Stone taught middle school, a background she credits with helping her explain complex legal procedures to nervous, unrepresented litigants. Stone currently presides over the Indian River County Felony Drug Court and handles half of the county’s criminal and civil caseload.
Circuit Court Judge Rebecca White, appointed in 2021, balances her high-pressure career with raising six children. White has drawn on her experience as a mother to inform her work, particularly regarding minors in the legal system. She previously established a dedicated Early Childhood Court in Okeechobee and hopes to implement a similar program in Vero Beach.
The newest addition to the Indian River County bench is Circuit Court Judge Anastasia Norman. Appointed in 2023 and taking over the felony docket in January 2026, Norman brings 16 years of experience as an assistant state attorney, where she led major crimes and violent sex crimes divisions.
Understanding the Courts
For residents navigating the legal system, understanding the distinction between the courts is helpful. County Courts are often referred to as “the people’s courts,” handling misdemeanors, small civil cases, and traffic violations. Circuit Courts, the highest state trial courts, handle felony criminal cases, larger civil disputes, family law, juvenile matters, and probate issues.
With this new order in the courts, these six judges continue to reshape the face of justice in Indian River County, bringing resilience, empathy, and extensive legal expertise to the bench.
