Meet your neighbor: Don Myers

Circuit Court Judge Don Myers wasn’t emotionally prepared the first time he saw an 8-year-old walk into his courtroom charged with a crime. The child was not yet tall enough to see over the four-foot podium.

“I’m not immune to the idea that these are real children with real family challenges,” said Myers, who is a father of four.

Since he took office in January 2011, Myers has been the highest overall rated judge in Osceola County, according to a 2011 and 2012 poll of more than 130 local attorneys by the Central Florida Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers.

Visit cfacdl.org/news.html to read the Central Florida Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers 2011-12 poll results.

He is currently serving in Osceola County’s Unified Family Court Division.

Myers, a longtime Maitland resident, made the decision to seek a judge position after practicing law for 22 years in Central Florida. It was at the head of those courtrooms that he realized he could make a significant difference people’s lives.

“He’s a smart guy who is very analytical with good instincts,” said Mike Bailey, Myers’ former law practice partner. Their partnership ended when Myers was elected. “It was bittersweet to see him go.”

Myers wanted to serve the community that has been home for 47 years. Both he and his children have attended the same public schools in Maitland and Winter Park.

When Myers arrives home at night, he carries a heavy briefcase of files to review and decisions to be made. Despite this, Myers remains grateful.

“As serious and heavy as this responsibility is sometimes, it is also such a great privilege,” Myers said. “I have a real opportunity to speak into the lives of families — many of whom are at difficult places and are struggling, crying out for help.”

Judges are also required to take a week out of their year to complete their turn of emergency duty. This past year, Myers’ turn fell over the Christmas holiday. During this duty it’s not uncommon to be awoken during the middle of the night by calls from police officers needing a warrant to be signed. And since the law states everyone has the right to see a judge within 24 hours of an arrest, it’s common to hold court proceedings at the jail facilities over most of the weekend.

Outside of the courtroom Myers is also very dedicated to his church, Center Pointe Community Church of the Nazarene. Currently he serves on their board, teaches a financial planning class and participates in various volunteering projects that include visits to Orlando Central Care’s rehabilitation center.

Larry Dennis, the district superintendent of the Central Florida District Church of the Nazarene, has spent the last 12 years working with Myers on church and community-related projects. He describes Myers as a natural leader.

“People gravitate toward him and listen to what he has to say,” Dennis said.

On Nov. 17, Myers plans to help hold a mass adoption ceremony of 20-25 families to celebrate National Adoption Day in Osceola County. Adoption is personal for Myers and his wife, Debbie, who traveled to China 12 years ago to adopt their youngest daughter, Anna, who is now 13. During his time as a lawyer, he also helped nearly 300 families finalize their own international adoption.

Myers’ six-year term will end in 2016 and he hopes to be re-elected.

“This position is something the community has lent to me — I don’t own it,” Myers said. “I need to prove myself worthy to be entrusted with it again in the future.”