Judge Kristine Van Vorst

Judge Van Vorst smiling in her black judge robes in front of a grey background

Judge Kristine Van Vorst

The Code of Judicial Conduct governing behavior by judges forbids the judges of the Eighth Judicial Circuit to discuss pending cases with the public. Please do not call the Court expecting to speak with a Judge about any case. If you have a comment to make, please mail it to the Clerk’s Office in the appropriate county. Please keep in mind that the Court is only allowed to consider arguments made in court and documents filed by actual parties to the case. They cannot ethically read or consider any other opinions or arguments about the case, and they cannot give legal advice. Thank you.

Current Assignment

Circuit Court Judge, August 2025 – Present

Alachua:
Family Division DR1
1/5 Division “DV” (Domestic Violence)

Baker:
Domestic Violence
Family
Juvenile Dependency
Mental Health
Probate

Previous Assignments

Alachua County Court Judge, September 2017 – August 2025
Alachua: County Criminal Division III (O-Z)
Alachua County Canvassing Board
Alachua: Civil Traffic
Alachua County Civil Division V
Alachua Criminal: Back-up Coverage Weeks 1 & 3 (Monday and Tuesday ONLY)
Alachua: Mental Health, Division S
Circuit-wide Back-up Coverage Weeks 1 & 3

Baker:
Appeals
Circuit Civil
Juvenile Delinquency
Mortgage Foreclosures
Extraordinary Writs

Office

Alachua County Family and Civil Justice Center
201 East University Avenue, Room 301
Gainesville, FL 32601
Phone: (352) 374-3644

Baker County Courthouse
339 East Macclenny Avenue
Macclenny, FL 32063
Phone: (904) 259-4705
Fax: (904) 259-0218

Judicial Assistant

Amber Allen
email: AllenA@circuit8.org
Phone: (352) 374-3644

Education

Juris Doctor with Honors: University of Florida College of Law, 2002
Bachelor of Arts with Highest Honors: Business Administration, University of Florida, 1999

Statewide Committees and Appointments

-Trial Court Budget Commission, Executive Committee, and Budget Management Committee Subgroup
-Judicial Management Council Workgroup on Trial Court Technology Strategies and Funding Subgroup
-Florida Bar Civil Rules Committee
-Conference of County Court Judges Professional Relations Committee
-Conference of County Court Judges Court Technology Committee
-Conference of County Court Judges Small Claims Committee/Civil Rules Committee (Chair)
-Criminal Justice Mental Health and Substance Abuse Reinvestment Grant Planning Committee Member for Alachua County
-Conference of County Court Judges of Florida Faculty
-Mediator Qualifications and Discipline Review Board-Northern Division
-Mediator Qualifications Inquiry Committee
-Florida Supreme Court Mentor Judge