Leon County Commission Votes to Honor Judge James C. Hankinson

On April 9, the Leon County Commission voted unanimously to dedicate Courtroom 3A in honor of Judge James C. Hankinson, by placing a plaque in appreciation of his service to the people of the Second Judicial Circuit. The cost of creating the dedication plaque is estimated at $1,500.

Hankinson died on July 6, 2023 after a battle with an aggressive form of brain cancer. He was 70.

According to the agenda item, James C. Hankinson was born on July 8, 1952 in Ocala, Florida. Judge Hankinson received his undergraduate degree from Davidson College in North Carolina in 1974, where he also played on Davidson’s football team. Judge Hankinson graduated from the Florida State University College of Law in 1978 and began his legal career as a prosecutor in Milton, Florida. He continued his prosecutorial career with the United States Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Florida where he received the Director’s Award which is the highest recognition in the United States Department of Justice.

Judge Hankinson was appointed to the bench in 2002 by Governor Jeb Bush. During his time as a circuit judge, Judge Hankinson presided over some of the most serious and complicated criminal trials in Tallahassee, including Gary Michael Hilton, Henry Segura, Denise Williams, and three of the defendants charged in the murder of FSU law professor Dan Markel.

Additionally, Judge Hankinson was instrumental in establishing the Second Judicial Circuit’s animal therapy program, which allows dogs to comfort children testifying in criminal court. The program has expanded to dependency and delinquency proceedings, and includes adults in certain cases. The program was the first in Florida and serves as the model for the rest of the State and courts throughout the country.