Judge Craig A. McCarthy: Professional Background and Legal Expertise

9th Judicial Circuit Court of Florida, Department Division 3-47, Courtroom 16-F

Appointed By: Gov. Ronald D. DeSantis

Biography

The Hon. Craig A. McCarthy is a judge for the 9th Judicial Circuit Court of Florida. He was appointed to the bench by Governor Ron DeSantis on July 11, 2022, filling a vacancy created by the retirement of the Hon. Bob LeBlanc.

The 9th Judicial Circuit encompasses Orange County and Osceola County. McCarthy has held assignments in Orange County, presiding over domestic relations and juvenile delinquency cases.

Prior to his appointment, McCarthy was a general magistrate for the 9th Judicial Circuit Court, a position to which he was named in 2021. Before that, he was an attorney in private practice, specializing in juvenile and dependency law. He supplemented his practice with service as an attorney ad litem for children in lock-down mental facilities.

McCarthy earned a bachelor's degree from the United States Military Academy at West Point in 1989. He served as a fire support officer for the Berlin Brigade of the United States Army (1989 to 1992) before completing a J.D. at Florida State University College of Law.

He is Board Certified in Juvenile Law by the Florida Bar.

After graduating from law school, McCarthy began his legal career as a legal aid attorney in Central Florida. He also spent time in medical license regulation for the State of Florida. Then, in 2001, he moved to Orlando, where he joined the Florida Department of Children and Families.

His memberships have included the Ochlockonee River Soil and Water Conservation District. He also represented District 36 in the Florida House of Representatives. He garnered national attention when he, along with local Tea Party leaders, drove a caravan to Arizona to support its immigration law.

McCarthy was born in New Jersey. When he was eleven years old, he moved to Brevard County, where he attended Satellite High School. McCarthy was a resident of Orlando at the time of his appointment.

Recent Cases by Hon. Craig A. McCarthy

HARLEY, ALLIYAH JANAYvs.GRIMES, DEVONTE C

On December 30, 2025 a parental responsibility and time-sharing case was filed in the jurisdiction of Orange County. Judge Craig A. McCarthy presiding.

Filed

Dec 30, 2025

Status

Active

Judge

Hon. Craig A. McCarthy 👉 Discover key insights by exploring more analytics for Craig A. McCarthy

Court

Circuit

County

Orange County, FL

Case #

(Subscribe to View)

Court Category

Parental Responsibility and Time-sharing

Practice Area

Family

Matter Type

Other Parent-Child

Case Last Refreshed

Jan 02, 2026

RUEDA, FRANCISCO JAVIER vs.RUEDA, JENNIFER ELIZABETH

On December 23, 2025 other domestic relations case was filed in the jurisdiction of Orange County. Judge Craig A. McCarthy presiding.

Filed

Dec 23, 2025

Status

Active

Judge

Hon. Craig A. McCarthy 👉 Discover key insights by exploring more analytics for Craig A. McCarthy

Court

Circuit

County

Orange County, FL

Case #

(Subscribe to View)

Court Category

Other Domestic Relations

Practice Area

Family

Matter Type

Divorce,Separation

Case Last Refreshed

Dec 30, 2025

SEITZ, MEGAN ELIZABETH vs.WALLACE, COREY ALAN

On December 23, 2025 a dissolution of marriage case was filed in the jurisdiction of Orange County. Judge Craig A. McCarthy presiding.

Filed

Dec 23, 2025

Status

Active

Judge

Hon. Craig A. McCarthy 👉 Discover key insights by exploring more analytics for Craig A. McCarthy

Court

Circuit

County

Orange County, FL

Case #

(Subscribe to View)

Court Category

Dissolution of Marriage

Practice Area

Family

Matter Type

Divorce,Separation

Case Last Refreshed

Dec 30, 2025

Name Change

On December 23, 2025 a name change case was filed in the jurisdiction of Orange County. Judge Craig A. McCarthy presiding.

Filed

Dec 23, 2025

Status

Active

Judge

Hon. Craig A. McCarthy 👉 Discover key insights by exploring more analytics for Craig A. McCarthy

Court

Circuit

County

Orange County, FL

Case #

(Subscribe to View)

Court Category

Name Change

Practice Area

Family

Matter Type

Name Change

Case Last Refreshed

Dec 30, 2025

MARCEAU, THAMARA vs.JEANLYS, BRENEVIL

On December 23, 2025 a dissolution of marriage case was filed in the jurisdiction of Orange County. Judge Craig A. McCarthy presiding.

Filed

Dec 23, 2025

Status

Active

Judge

Hon. Craig A. McCarthy 👉 Discover key insights by exploring more analytics for Craig A. McCarthy

Court

Circuit

County

Orange County, FL

Case #

(Subscribe to View)

Court Category

Dissolution of Marriage

Practice Area

Family

Matter Type

Divorce,Separation

Case Last Refreshed

Dec 30, 2025

CHOWBAY, SHARDA JASMINE vs.VARGAS, JOSEAN ABEL

On December 23, 2025 a simplified dissolution of marriage case was filed in the jurisdiction of Orange County. Judge Craig A. McCarthy presiding.

Filed

Dec 23, 2025

Status

Active

Judge

Hon. Craig A. McCarthy 👉 Discover key insights by exploring more analytics for Craig A. McCarthy

Court

Circuit

County

Orange County, FL

Case #

(Subscribe to View)

Court Category

Simplified Dissolution of Marriage

Practice Area

Family

Matter Type

Divorce,Separation

Case Last Refreshed

Dec 30, 2025

ALADIN, YONEL vs.GEOBOHAM, FARAH

On December 22, 2025 a dissolution of marriage with children case was filed in the jurisdiction of Orange County. Judge Craig A. McCarthy presiding.

Filed

Dec 22, 2025

Status

Active

Judge

Hon. Craig A. McCarthy 👉 Discover key insights by exploring more analytics for Craig A. McCarthy

Court

Circuit

County

Orange County, FL

Case #

(Subscribe to View)

Court Category

Dissolution of Marriage with Children

Practice Area

Family

Matter Type

Divorce,Separation

Case Last Refreshed

Dec 24, 2025

DESIR, REGINA CHRISTINE vs.JEAN BAPTISTE, KENSONN

On December 22, 2025 a dissolution of marriage case was filed in the jurisdiction of Orange County. Judge Craig A. McCarthy presiding.

Filed

Dec 22, 2025

Status

Active

Judge

Hon. Craig A. McCarthy 👉 Discover key insights by exploring more analytics for Craig A. McCarthy

Court

Circuit

County

Orange County, FL

Case #

(Subscribe to View)

Court Category

Dissolution of Marriage

Practice Area

Family

Matter Type

Divorce,Separation

Case Last Refreshed

Dec 24, 2025

EARLEY, ZACARIAH BRENDAN vs.EARLEY, KENNEDY LOUISE

On December 22, 2025 a simplified dissolution of marriage case was filed in the jurisdiction of Orange County. Judge Craig A. McCarthy presiding.

Filed

Dec 22, 2025

Status

Active

Judge

Hon. Craig A. McCarthy 👉 Discover key insights by exploring more analytics for Craig A. McCarthy

Court

Circuit

County

Orange County, FL

Case #

(Subscribe to View)

Court Category

Simplified Dissolution of Marriage

Practice Area

Family

Matter Type

Divorce,Separation

Case Last Refreshed

Dec 31, 2025

SHAW, TANISHA RENEE vs.SCOTT, ANTONIA LORENZO

On December 22, 2025 a paternity case was filed in the jurisdiction of Orange County. Judge Craig A. McCarthy presiding.

Filed

Dec 22, 2025

Status

Active

Judge

Hon. Craig A. McCarthy 👉 Discover key insights by exploring more analytics for Craig A. McCarthy

Court

Circuit

County

Orange County, FL

Case #

(Subscribe to View)

Court Category

Paternity

Practice Area

Family

Matter Type

Paternity

Case Last Refreshed

Dec 24, 2025

KERR, NICOLA vs.KERR, SIMON

On December 22, 2025 a dissolution of marriage case was filed in the jurisdiction of Orange County. Judge Craig A. McCarthy presiding.

Filed

Dec 22, 2025

Status

Active

Judge

Hon. Craig A. McCarthy 👉 Discover key insights by exploring more analytics for Craig A. McCarthy

Court

Circuit

County

Orange County, FL

Case #

(Subscribe to View)

Court Category

Dissolution of Marriage

Practice Area

Family

Matter Type

Divorce,Separation

Case Last Refreshed

Dec 22, 2025

VIEIRA DE BARROS BROMLEY, MICHELAvs.NUNES DA SILVA BARROS, ANDRE LUIZ

On December 22, 2025 a parental responsibility and time-sharing case was filed in the jurisdiction of Orange County. Judge Craig A. McCarthy presiding.

Filed

Dec 22, 2025

Status

Active

Judge

Hon. Craig A. McCarthy 👉 Discover key insights by exploring more analytics for Craig A. McCarthy

Court

Circuit

County

Orange County, FL

Case #

(Subscribe to View)

Court Category

Parental Responsibility and Time-sharing

Practice Area

Family

Matter Type

Other Parent-Child

Case Last Refreshed

Dec 23, 2025

HILL, TYANNA MARCHAE vs.WILLIAMS, IMMANUEL ABEZZ

On December 19, 2025 a dissolution of marriage with children case was filed in the jurisdiction of Orange County. Judge Craig A. McCarthy presiding.

Filed

Dec 19, 2025

Status

Active

Judge

Hon. Craig A. McCarthy 👉 Discover key insights by exploring more analytics for Craig A. McCarthy

Court

Circuit

County

Orange County, FL

Case #

(Subscribe to View)

Court Category

Dissolution of Marriage with Children

Practice Area

Family

Matter Type

Divorce,Separation

Case Last Refreshed

Dec 23, 2025

REICES, NATASSHA RUBY vs.REICES IRIZARRY, BRYAN OSWALDO

On December 19, 2025 a dissolution of marriage case was filed in the jurisdiction of Orange County. Judge Craig A. McCarthy presiding.

Filed

Dec 19, 2025

Status

Active

Judge

Hon. Craig A. McCarthy 👉 Discover key insights by exploring more analytics for Craig A. McCarthy

Court

Circuit

County

Orange County, FL

Case #

(Subscribe to View)

Court Category

Dissolution of Marriage

Practice Area

Family

Matter Type

Divorce,Separation

Case Last Refreshed

Dec 23, 2025

SCHOTT, THOMAS RAYMOND vs.BELL SCHOTT, DEBORAH ELISE

On December 19, 2025 a simplified dissolution of marriage case was filed in the jurisdiction of Orange County. Judge Craig A. McCarthy presiding.

Filed

Dec 19, 2025

Status

Active

Judge

Hon. Craig A. McCarthy 👉 Discover key insights by exploring more analytics for Craig A. McCarthy

Court

Circuit

County

Orange County, FL

Case #

(Subscribe to View)

Court Category

Simplified Dissolution of Marriage

Practice Area

Family

Matter Type

Divorce,Separation

Case Last Refreshed

Dec 19, 2025

CAIN SIBBITT, BARBARA LEE vs.SIBBITT, SCOTT ANDREW

On December 18, 2025 a dissolution of marriage case was filed in the jurisdiction of Orange County. Judge Craig A. McCarthy presiding.

Filed

Dec 18, 2025

Status

Active

Judge

Hon. Craig A. McCarthy 👉 Discover key insights by exploring more analytics for Craig A. McCarthy

Court

Circuit

County

Orange County, FL

Case #

(Subscribe to View)

Court Category

Dissolution of Marriage

Practice Area

Family

Matter Type

Divorce,Separation

Case Last Refreshed

Dec 19, 2025

Name Change

On December 18, 2025 a name change case was filed in the jurisdiction of Orange County. Judge Craig A. McCarthy presiding.

Filed

Dec 18, 2025

Status

Active

Judge

Hon. Craig A. McCarthy 👉 Discover key insights by exploring more analytics for Craig A. McCarthy

Court

Circuit

County

Orange County, FL

Case #

(Subscribe to View)

Court Category

Name Change

Practice Area

Family

Matter Type

Name Change

Case Last Refreshed

Dec 23, 2025

GONZALEZ, MARGARET E vs.BUMGARDNER, MARGARET E

On December 18, 2025 a dissolution of marriage case was filed in the jurisdiction of Orange County. Judge Craig A. McCarthy presiding.

Filed

Dec 18, 2025

Status

Active

Judge

Hon. Craig A. McCarthy 👉 Discover key insights by exploring more analytics for Craig A. McCarthy

Court

Circuit

County

Orange County, FL

Case #

(Subscribe to View)

Court Category

Dissolution of Marriage

Practice Area

Family

Matter Type

Divorce,Separation

Case Last Refreshed

Dec 24, 2025

DANCY, FRED WILBERT, JR vs.DANCY, LASHONDA MARIE

On December 18, 2025 a dissolution of marriage with children case was filed in the jurisdiction of Orange County. Judge Craig A. McCarthy presiding.

Filed

Dec 18, 2025

Status

Active

Judge

Hon. Craig A. McCarthy 👉 Discover key insights by exploring more analytics for Craig A. McCarthy

Court

Circuit

County

Orange County, FL

Case #

(Subscribe to View)

Court Category

Dissolution of Marriage with Children

Practice Area

Family

Matter Type

Divorce,Separation

Case Last Refreshed

Dec 24, 2025

HUTSON, MELINDA MARIE vs.ESPINOZA, MAUDIO RAMON

On December 18, 2025 a dissolution of marriage case was filed in the jurisdiction of Orange County. Judge Craig A. McCarthy presiding.

Filed

Dec 18, 2025

Status

Active

Judge

Hon. Craig A. McCarthy 👉 Discover key insights by exploring more analytics for Craig A. McCarthy

Court

Circuit

County

Orange County, FL

Case #

(Subscribe to View)

Court Category

Dissolution of Marriage

Practice Area

Family

Matter Type

Divorce,Separation

Case Last Refreshed

Dec 18, 2025

ARTILES, JAMIRKA FRANCISCA vs.THOMAS, ASHLEY DURNELL, JR

On December 17, 2025 an enforcement foreign judgment case was filed in the jurisdiction of Orange County. Judge Craig A. McCarthy presiding.

Filed

Dec 17, 2025

Status

Active

Judge

Hon. Craig A. McCarthy 👉 Discover key insights by exploring more analytics for Craig A. McCarthy

Court

Circuit

County

Orange County, FL

Case #

(Subscribe to View)

Court Category

Enforcement Foreign Judgment

Practice Area

Creditor

Matter Type

Judgment Enforcement

Case Last Refreshed

Dec 17, 2025

HOLZHUETER, BENJAMIN MICHAEL vs.TREVINO GONZALEZ, ALMA GABRIELA

On December 17, 2025 a simplified dissolution of marriage case was filed in the jurisdiction of Orange County. Judge Craig A. McCarthy presiding.

Filed

Dec 17, 2025

Status

Active

Judge

Hon. Craig A. McCarthy 👉 Discover key insights by exploring more analytics for Craig A. McCarthy

Court

Circuit

County

Orange County, FL

Case #

(Subscribe to View)

Court Category

Simplified Dissolution of Marriage

Practice Area

Family

Matter Type

Divorce,Separation

Case Last Refreshed

Dec 19, 2025

JOHNSON, SELENA vs.JOHNSON, CALVIN

On December 16, 2025 a dissolution of marriage case was filed in the jurisdiction of Orange County. Judge Craig A. McCarthy presiding.

Filed

Dec 16, 2025

Status

Active

Judge

Hon. Craig A. McCarthy 👉 Discover key insights by exploring more analytics for Craig A. McCarthy

Court

Circuit

County

Orange County, FL

Case #

(Subscribe to View)

Court Category

Dissolution of Marriage

Practice Area

Family

Matter Type

Divorce,Separation

Case Last Refreshed

Dec 17, 2025

PARSONS, EMILY KATHERINE vs.PARSONS, BRANDON LAVERNE

On December 16, 2025 a dissolution of marriage case was filed in the jurisdiction of Orange County. Judge Craig A. McCarthy presiding.

Filed

Dec 16, 2025

Status

Active

Judge

Hon. Craig A. McCarthy 👉 Discover key insights by exploring more analytics for Craig A. McCarthy

Court

Circuit

County

Orange County, FL

Case #

(Subscribe to View)

Court Category

Dissolution of Marriage

Practice Area

Family

Matter Type

Divorce,Separation

Case Last Refreshed

Dec 20, 2025

Discover if Hon. McCarthy is the right judge for your case based on their ruling history.

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About

Craig A. McCarthy
Party Affiliation Republican	Republican
Current Appointment 9th Judicial Circuit Court of Florida, Department Division 3-47, Courtroom 16-F	9th Judicial Circuit Court of Florida, Department Division 3-47, Courtroom 16-F
Education J.D., Florida State University College of Law Bachelor's degree, United State Military Academy at West Point - 1989	J.D., Florida State University College of Law Bachelor's degree, United State Military Academy at West Point - 1989
Official Website ninthcircuit.org	ninthcircuit.org

Court Info

Court Info
Current Court:	FL - 9th Judicial Circuit Court of Florida
Clerk phone:	+1 (407) 836-4577

Career History

Career History
Role	Employer	Where
Staff Attorney	Florida Department of Children and Families	Orange County, Florida
Attorney	Private Practice	Orange County, Florida
Judge	9th Judicial Circuit Court of Florida	None