On Friday, January 14, an event was held to honor the life and legacy of the late Judge Stephan P. Mickle by renaming the Alachua County Criminal Courthouse after Judge Mickle. The event was at the Main entrance of the Criminal Courthouse located at 220 S. Main Street, downtown Gainesville.
The event featured speakers from Alachua County, the City of Gainesville, and the Judiciary as well as music, a color guard. and words of inspiration. Alachua County middle and high school students participated in an essay/poetry contest based on a theme pertaining to Judge Mickle’s impact on history, society, and the future. The winner of this year’s contest shared their essay during the ceremony.
A prolific barrier breaker, Judge Mickle’s legacy includes being:
- The first African-American to practice law in Alachua County since Reconstruction
- The first African-American County Court judge in Alachua County
- The first African-American judge in the Eighth Judicial Circuit Court of Florida
- The first African-American and only lawyer from the Eighth Judicial to serve on the First District Court of Appeals in Tallahassee
- The First African-American federal judge in the Northern District of Florida
- The First African-American Chief Judge of the Northern District of Florida
“It is a tremendous honor to see the courthouse named after my father,” said his daughter Stephanie Mickle. “It's important for others to be able to see themselves in his life. His sacrifices and triumphs will inspire others for generations to come and impact our youth early in their lives and education.”
