Welcome to the Informational Website of
JUDGE CLARISSA HARRELL
Judge Harrell is an elected County Court Judge serving the citizens of Brevard County in Florida's Eighteenth Judicial Circuit.
This site is designed to provide transparency and public access to information about how she operates her courtroom and spends her time as a member of the judiciary both on and off the bench.
* Policies & Procedures
In 2025 Judge Harrell comprehensively revised her Division's Policies & Procedures to bring them into conformity with the expanded template recommended by The Florida Supreme Court.
Please click this link to view these Policies & Procedures, noting the contact information for her Judicial Assistant at the top, and check back regularly for revised content: https://flcourts18.org/docs/bre/Judge_Harrells_Policies_and_Procedures.pdf
* 2026 Mid-Year Report
*JUDICIAL DUTIES
--Conducted 369 civil trials and evidentiary hearings in the first six months of 2026, including breach of contract, insurance, uncontested dissolution of marriage, eviction, litigation in aid of execution on judgments, and risk protection hearings, among others. Drafted all final judgments and orders for cases in which there was no counsel of record.
--Assisted Circuit Judges with injunction for protection cases, reviewing and resolving all incoming stalking, repeat violence, and cyberstalking petitions for 31 days, and conducting 44 injunction hearings.
--Assessed probable cause and set bond when appropriate in cases of 702 inmates, and addressed placement/detention status of juveniles removed from parents due to abuse or neglect, or charged with delinquent acts, over the course of eleven days of Initial Appearances at the Brevard County Jail.
--Conducted 912 Small Claims Pre-Trial Conferences to assess continuance requests, determine proper mediation options, and schedule cases for trial.
--Assisted Circuit Criminal Court Judges by conducting plea colloquies and addressing continuance requests for Early Resolution cases negotiated by State and Defense, together with Arraignments, in 626 felony cases.
--Served one week reviewing, and issuing when appropriate, arrest and search warrants submitted around the clock by law enforcement agencies throughout Brevard County.
--Reviewed and took action on 9,900 documents, after individual court record review related to each, including correspondence, motions, and proposed judgments and orders submitted through the electronic portal by Florida-licensed attorneys around the country.
--On call 49 days to review and resolve all petitions for civil risk protection orders sought by the Brevard County Sheriff's Office and Brevard municipalities for removal of firearms from citizens alleged to be a danger to themselves or to others.
--Addressed juror excusal requests for one week.
--Excluding criminal case resolutions, during the first half of 2026 Judge Harrell disposed through final judgment or dismissal 1,949 county civil cases; 2,623 small claims cases; and 120 domestic relations/injunction cases.
--Appeals. During the first half of 2026, three litigants appealed Judge Harrell's rulings. The Fifth District Court of Appeal dismissed two appeals without addressing the merits; the third remains pending after the Fifth District affirmed Judge Harrell's denial of stay.
*PROFESSIONAL ACTIVITIES
--Served as a Trial Judge for a full Saturday of the Eighteenth Judicial Circuit's High School Mock Trial Competition.
--Attended the Seminole County Bar Association Judicial Reception for all judges serving within the 18th Judicial Circuit
--Hosted and mentored nine summer Judicial Interns, two returning from University of South Florida and Stetson University, and others from Florida A&M College of Law, University of Central Florida, University of Florida, Mississippi State University, Mitchell Hamline School of Law, Florida State University, and Eastern Florida State College.
--Continued service on The Florida Bar's Legal Needs of Children Committee
--Enjoyed the speech of Florida Bar President Sia Baker-Barnes delivered at the Brevard Legal Aid Gala celebrating those who have dedicated time and talents to indigent clients in need of legal services
--Addressed the middle and high school students of Judge Samuel Bookhardt's 2026 Summer Law Academy on the topic of "Making an Impact in the Practice of Law"
--Attended Civilian-Military Council meetings featuring updates from members of all branches of the U.S. military either based in Brevard or with a nexus of operational activity here
--Spent a day in the classroom with teacher Janae Ramirez's 6th through 8th graders discussing career options in law, and how to use legal knowledge and skill set to preserve democracy and protect the interests of others
--Attended the Brevard County Association of Women Lawyer's Judicial Reception at the Eau Gallie Yacht Club
--Attended the Brevard County Bar Association's Professionalism Awards Dinner
--Celebrated the 2026 Summer Judicial Interns at a luncheon hosted by Judge Kelly McKibben
*COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT
--Invited by the Viera Voice newspaper to contribute to its "Tips From the Top" article directed to graduating high school seniors. [Click here to access article.]
--Enjoyed the beachside performance of local attorney and musician Ryan McCarville in the Flannel band
--Attended the Brevard Caribbean American Sports and Cultural Association (BCASCA) ceremony honoring the lifetime achievements of child welfare advocate Janice Bispham and other esteemed community leaders
--Watched actor and singer Jennifer Wingerter's performance in Singing in the Rain at The Henegar Center
--Attended the Latin American Club of Titusville's Annual Gala celebrating its student scholarship recipients, vibrant culture, and charitable causes.
--Cheered competitors across a two-mile course at the Innova Replay Space Coast Disc Golf Tournament at Wickham Park
* 2025 in Review
In 2025 Judge Harrell focused her time and attention upon the following professional responsibilities and community activities:
* JUDICIAL DUTIES
--Conducted 697 trials, evidentiary hearings, injunction proceedings, and dissolution of marriage hearings
--Drafted Orders and Judgments for all civil court hearings and trials in which no parties were represented by counsel
--Evaluated and processed over 15,000 documents submitted via the electronic portal 24/7 by Florida-licensed attorneys across the state and nation to determine whether Order/Judgment entry or denial was appropriate in each case
--Handled 1,090 First Appearance, Juvenile Detention, and Juvenile Shelter hearings, including probable cause and bond determinations for newly-arrested adult inmates, at the Brevard County Jail over the course of 27 jail duty days
--Handled 596 felony criminal Early Resolution Program cases set for negotiated pleas
--On call 14 days and nights to review arrest and search warrants submitted by all Brevard County law enforcement agencies
--On call for three months for review of emergency Petitions for Risk Protection Orders submitted by the Brevard County Sheriff's Office and Brevard municipalities in conjunction with law enforcement, and conducted all related hearings
--Conducted 2,229 Small Claims Pre-Trial Conferences
--Conducted review of all juror excusal requests and qualified prospective jurors for jury service for two weeks
--Excluding specially-assigned cases outside her division, in 2025 Judge Harrell brought to closure by judgment or dismissal 3,382 County Civil cases and 3,533 Small Claims cases. She resolved all County Court cases in her inherited backlog that had accumulated during the time period spanning 2005 to 2015.
--Appeals. Six litigants appealed Judge Harrell's rulings in 2025. Two of her rulings were per curiam affirmed by the Fifth District Court of Appeal, and the other four appeals were dismissed by the appellate court before ruling.
* PROFESSIONAL ACTIVITIES
--Appointed by The Florida Bar as the judicial member of its statewide Legal Needs of Children Committee, attended monthly committee and Post-Foster Care Guardianship subcommittee meetings
--Taught an Introduction to Law class to students in the dual enrollment program at Holy Trinity Episcopal Academy and Florida Institute of Technology
--Accepted invitation to join the Brevard Civilian Military Council; attended ten meetings; served as judicial representative on committee hosting the Space Coast send-off reception for Joint Military Attaché School graduates being deployed to U.S. embassies around the world
--Delivered presentation on Judicial Campaigns, Process, and Ethics to high school and middle school students attending Judge Samuel Bookhardt's 18th Circuit Summer Youth Law Program
--Attended the Brevard County Bar Association's Professionalism Awards Dinner
--Formal Investiture as County Court Judge at Brevard County Government Center at ceremony presided over by Chief Judge Charlie Crawford and attended by community leaders, supporters, attorneys, and judicial colleagues
--Celebrated other incoming Judges at their formal Investitures
--Attended the Brevard County Association of Women Lawyers Judicial Reception
--Joined other members of the legal community in honoring Judge Kenneth Friedland at his Retirement reception
--Attended Brevard County Legal Aid's 37th Annual Pro Bono Awards and Recognition Dinner honoring attorney of the year Christopher McMaster
--Presented overview of the types of cases addressed throughout the Eighteenth Judicial Circuit to the Salt & Light Council of Palm Bay
--Attended Fifth District Court of Appeals oral arguments at the Brevard County Government Center, and Meet & Greet breakfast with visiting appellate judges
--Hosted and mentored summer judicial interns from Emory Law School, Georgetown University, Barry Law School, Stetson University, and University of South Florida; attended a luncheon honoring all courthouse summer interns
--Delivered a presentation to the Brevard County Mediators as part of their Spring 2025 Training at The Harry T. and Harriette V. Moore Justice Center
--Attended a Brevard County Bar Association CLE program on Veterans' mental health services
--Served as Judge for the Brevard County Bar Association's Law Day student and faculty competition, and attended related ceremony honoring all participants
--Attended a judicial debate at The Citrus Club of Orlando on the topic of the prior panel precedent rule/policy
--Attended ten days of mandatory Judicial College, Phases One and Two
--Appointed as Alternate Judge to the Supervisor of Elections Canvassing Board, completed all required training, and served multiple days performing statutory duties
* COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT
--Attended the Melbourne Regional Chamber of Commerce's Good Morning Space Coast breakfast highlighting public safety and crimefighting initiatives in Brevard
--Celebrated the Brevard Hispanic Chamber of Commerce's anniversary at a special reception
--Enjoyed Brevard arts and artists, including young performers at Surfside Playhouse's production of Matilda, Jr., Manatee Elementary's Mary Poppins, Jr., and Cocoa Beach Jr./Sr. High School's SpongeBob, The Musical; Henegar Center performers of all ages at its On Your Feet production; and a Brevard actor's work in the Million Dollar Quartet production at Jupiter's Maltz Theatre
--Visited New Life Mission's campus for "Come and See" tour featuring updates to facilities and services for formerly homeless women and children
--Attended presentation of Daily Bread regarding transition to mobile services for food delivery to homeless and transition to Providence Connects
--Attended the community Unity Dinner hosted by retired Judge Alli B. and Mrs. Majeed
--Joined other mourners at funeral of beloved Veteran and 30-year courthouse proceedings monitor/observer Lenny Voss
--Attended Strategies of Successful Women presentations at The Harry T. and Harriette V. Moore Cultural Center in Mims
--Participated in an interview with New Life Mission, "Conversations on a Bench," regarding provision of housing and early education services for homeless women and children, and interface of related issues with court system
--Attended the 10th Annual Rescuing Veterans Lost in America Dinner hosted by National Veterans Homeless Support, celebrating those providing food, housing, transportation, and other stabilizing services to Brevard's homeless Veterans
-Attended the Boys & Girls Clubs of Central Florida "Faces of the Future" Celebration of Program Successes in bridging opportunity gaps and promoting success for kids
--Attended the Cocoa Boys & Girls Club's Back to School Drive
--Attended the Spring Gala of The Latin American Club of Titusville honoring student scholarship recipients
--Officiated at the wedding ceremony of an Army Ranger Veteran and a Brevard legal professional
* Biography
Judge Harrell was elected in November of 2024 and took office on January 7, 2025. She is assigned to the County Civil bench, Division 3, but as with other County Court Judges is frequently assigned Criminal Court and Circuit Court duties by the Chief Judge.
Prior to taking the bench Judge Harrell was a trial attorney in Brevard courtrooms for 31 years and also worked as a first grade teacher during a brief reprieve from the contentiousness of law. Her trial attorney career encompassed 14 years in civil litigation and family law practice, including 10 years of operating her own law firm; 12 years as a criminal prosecutor, including intensive work in the Career Criminal & Firearms Unit and the Sex Crimes & Child Abuse Unit; and 5 years litigating child welfare cases in the Circuit Dependency Division.
Judge Harrell is a past president of the Brevard County Bar Association and has been heavily invested in a multitude of professional and community organizations over the decades. She is a graduate of Tulane Law School in New Orleans, Louisiana, and of Georgetown University's School of Foreign Service in Washington D.C., an International Politics major.
She has been married for 28 years. She and her husband have reared six children in Brevard. She enjoys spending her free time with her husband, adult children, grandchildren, and pets.
