A packed courtroom welcomed Circuit Judge Shanae Pickens at her investiture ceremony held May 15 at the Marion County Judicial Center.
The event began shortly after 2 p.m. with the presentation of colors followed by Pickens children leading the Pledge of Allegiance.
Latoria Grimes Bryant sang the National Anthem and Pastor Jason Wilson of Trinity Baptist Church said the prayer.
Circuit Judge Steven Rogers, Marion County’s administrative judge, introduced honored guests and acted as the master of ceremonies.
Presentations
County Judge LeAnn Mackey-Barnes gave the Presentation of the Commission, and former Circuit Judge Anthony Tatti, who is now a defense attorney, gave Pickens the gavel. Mackey-Barnes is one of three Black women Marion County judges.
Presenting the gavel, Tatti told Pickens to put it on the shelf and never touch it.
Former Assistant State Attorney Wynn Vickers, who’s now with Community Legal Services of Central Florida, gave the new judge a portrait of Lady Justice.
Vickers said she has known Pickens since 2014 when they worked together at the State Attorney’s Office. She said they’ve grown close, and knows Pickens as a hard worker “who gets stuff done.”
At the State Attorney’s Office, Pickens was in the special victims unit where she handled cases involving sex crimes and child abuse/neglect.
Taking the oath
Pickens brother-in-law, Circuit Judge Robert W. Pickens III from the Seventh Judicial Circuit, gave his sister-in-law the oath. Pickens husband Ian Pickens, a defense attorney and president of the Marion County Bar Association, gave his wife her robe.
Assistant State Attorney Sasha Kidney, Marion County’s Division Chief, introduced Pickens. She said Pickens was a student-athlete in college and knows she’s “going to put in the work.” Kidney said “our legal community is stronger because of you.”
Retired Circuit Judge Sandra Champ told Pickens she’s honored to be with her. Champ was the first woman of any color on the bench as a circuit judge for the 5th Judicial Circuit that includes Marion, Lake, Sumter, Hernando and Citrus counties.
She told Pickens to be kind to people and punish the acts, not the people.
She told Pickens to remember she’s a judge 365 days a year, 24 hours a day seven days a week, adding “you’re always on duty.”
Judge Pickens
When it was her time to speak, Pickens said it has been a journey and many people have helped her along the way. She thanked her husband, family, friends and those at the SAO for believing in her.
In preparation for her interview, she said her husband watched their children and read cases with her. She thanked all the people who helped her prepare for the challenges ahead and the judges for attending the event.
Pickens told the audience now that his wife and brothers are judges, he’s the family’s best attorney.
In November 2025, Pickens was interviewed by officials from Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis’ office. Then on Jan. 14, she was told the governor would appoint her as a judge.
Her duties on the bench are probate, guardianship and mental health cases. A graduate from Florida Coastal School of Law, Pickens was raised in Virginia where she attended school.
Contact Austin L. Miller at austin.miller@starbanner.com
Contact Austin L. Miller at austin.miller@starbanner.com
This article originally appeared on Ocala Star-Banner: Judge Shanae Pickens sworn in at Marion County ceremony
Reporting by Austin L. Miller, Ocala Star-Banner / Ocala Star-Banner
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
