On Friday, September 5, 2025, Sarasota Herald-Tribune reported that Sarasota County Judge David Denkin retired on August 28, 2025, after serving more than two decades on the bench. Denkin is recognized as a pioneer for his instrumental role in establishing Sarasota’s DUI Court, a treatment-based alternative for repeat offenders.
During his time overseeing Sarasota’s DUI court for over 15 years, Denkin emphasized rehabilitation for non-violent, repeat DUI offenders. Participants in the program engaged in court-supervised substance abuse treatment, frequent drug and alcohol testing, and consistent progress reviews throughout the 12 to 24 month program. Under his leadership, the program helped 693 graduates achieve long-term sobriety, regain employment, and reconnect with their families and community. The DUI court boasts an 83% success rate and a 3% recidivism rate, significantly lower than the 26% statewide rate.
Denkin’s career included a period as an assistant state attorney in Sarasota from 1981 to 1983, followed by nearly two decades in private practice as a defense attorney, where he worked on some of the county’s most high-profile criminal cases. He was elected to the bench in 2002, edging out Phyllis Galen by 1,200 votes.
Chief Judge Diana Moreland praised Denkin for his leadership in bringing problem-solving courts to the Twelfth Judicial Circuit. She also noted his impact as the Dean of the Florida Judicial College, where he helped hundreds of attorneys transition to becoming judges.
Denkin received the Chief Justice Award for Judicial Excellence in 2019. As he enters retirement, he is required to stay away from the judiciary for six months, after which he may consider returning as a senior judge, following in the footsteps of former judges.
Source: Sarasota Herald-Tribune
