DIAMOND R. LITTY
FAMILY HISTORY: Native Floridian, raised on the Treasure Coast. Attended St. Anastasia and John Carroll High School in Fort Pierce. Treasure Coast resident for 50 years, Married to County Court Judge, Tom Walsh; their son, Blaze Jordan Walsh attends the University of Florida.
AFTER HIGH SCHOOL: Attended Indian River Community College, St. Mary’s College at Notre Dame and Graduated from Rollins College, Winter Park, Florida in 1978. Taught Algebra at John Carroll High School and graduated from Nova Law School in Ft. Lauderdale in 1981.
AFTER LAW SCHOOL: Assistant State Attorney in the 19th Circuit for Bob Stone and then for State Attorney, Bruce Colton, from 1981 to 1987.
After serving the Nineteenth Judicial Circuit for six years as a prosecutor, Diamond opened the only “all female” law firm in the Circuit. She maintained this successful practice, handling primarily family and criminal law cases, for six years. She is a certified Family Law Mediator and County Court Mediator.
CURRENTLY:
Nineteenth Judicial Circuit’s Public Defender
Elected in 1992
Serves as a Commissioner and Secretary in Tallahassee for the Justice Administrative Commission since 1994.
BOARD OF DIRECTOR AND PAST AND PRESENT COMMUNITY SERVICE INCLUDES:
1992 to present Director for CORE/Comprehensive Offender Rehabilitation & Education Program - Misdemeanor Probation. President of the Board 2010-2013
1992 to present Victims Rights Coalition
1993 Director for A.R.C./Association for Retarded Citizens
1993 Chairperson for Domestic Violence Task Force/19th Circuit
1993 to present Director for Indian River County Substance Abuse Council
1994 Director for Learn to Read
1994 to 1996 Vice President - Statewide Public Defenders Association
1994 to present WPSL Christmas Kids Host
1997/1998 Chairperson for March of Dimes
1997 Chairperson for Big Brothers/Big Sisters - Bowl For Kids Sake
1999/2000 Chairperson for the United Way Campaign
1997 to present Host of “Legal Affairs” T.V show.
2000 to present Florida State Employees Contribution Campaign - Chairperson for four years.
2000 to present BB/BS “Jump into Reading” Tutor
2001 to present Board of Director of Restoration House, 2006 to present - past President 3 years.
2003 to present Board of Trustees - Lawnwood Regional Medical Center
2004 Chairperson - American Red Cross Heroes Campaign
2004 Alzheimers Community Care
2004 to present Treasure Coast Police Chiefs & Sheriff’s Association
2009 to present Board of Director/President - LifeBuilders of the Treasure Coast, Inc
2011 to present Advisory Board – John Carroll High School
2012 to present BB/BS – Big Sister
2015 to present Board of Directors of Florida Aquaculture Foundation
PERSONAL AWARDS AND RECOGNITIONS:
1995 to 1998 Appointed by the Florida Bar to serve on the 19th Judicial Circuit Bar Grievance Committee. Chairperson from 1996 to 1998.
1995 Volunteer of the Year Award - March of Dimes.
1997 Indian River Community College Distinguished Alumni Award.
1999 Special Recognition Award from the St. Lucie County School Board for her television program “Legal Affairs” on Channel 13 which Diamond hosts.
2000 Republican Woman of the Year.
2000 Recipient of the Paul Harris Fellow Award.
2004 to 2006 Appointed by the Governor to serve on the 19th Judicial Circuit Judicial Nominating Commission.
2006 Appointed by the Governor to serve on the Statewide Ex-offender Taskforce.
2006 Awarded “Most Valuable Public Defender” by the statewide Public Defenders Association.
2008 19th Judicial Circuit Probation & Parole Award – “for support of Re-entry initiatives, indigent defendants & citizens of the 19th Judicial Circuit.”
2008 Catholic Lawyers Guild – St. Thomas More Award.
2011 United Way of St. Lucie County “Spirit of St. Lucie Community Angel Award.”
2011 “Spirit of a Leader” Award given by the St. Lucie County Sheriff’s Office for commitment to the criminal justice system and St. Lucie County citizens.
2012-2013 John Carroll Alumna of the Year Award.
2014 “Creating a Better World Through The Rule of Law” Award given by The Friends and Trustees of the Rupert J. Smith Law Library of St. Lucie County.
OFFICE AWARDS AND RECOGNITIONS:
1999 - JC Penney Golden Rule Award - “Some think of the Golden Rule Award as the community service equivalent to the Pulitzer or Academy Award.” The Golden Rule Award recognizes that accomplishments by nonprofit organizations would not be possible without caring volunteers. The program rewards both the volunteer and the organization. The Public Defender’s Office Intern Investigator Program and a dedicated volunteer were the recipients of this award.
1998, 1999 - Davis Productivity Award - The Davis Productivity Award is administered by the Florida Tax Watch Group and Florida Council of 100. This was awarded in recognition and in conjunction with State Attorney Bruce Colton for the “Fast Track” program and their shared computer database.
2002 - “Best Place to Work” Award. The Public Defender’s Office was awarded this by the Chamber of Commerce.
2002 & 2003 - “Law Firm Commendation Award”. The Public Defender’s Office received this award for their pro bono work above and beyond normal duties.
2003 - Davis Productivity Award. The Public Defender’s Office, Investigator Intern Program, was the recipient of the Davis Productivity Award in 2003. Both the Intern Investigator and Fast Track programs have saved taxpayers hundreds of thousands of dollars and helped streamline the complexities of the Judicial System.
2003 to 2009 - United Way Circle of Honor Award. The Circle of Honor Award recognizes not only dollar contributions, but also the quality of the agency’s campaign.
2009 - Davis Productivity Award. The Davis Productivity Award was presented to the Public Defender’s Office Ex-Offender Re-entry Program and the Mental Health Court Advocacy Team.
PUBLIC DEFENDER ACCOMPLISHMENTS IN PAST 20 YEARS:
- Collected Public Defender Fees and helped write the legislation to assist the Courts in levying and collecting Public Defender fees. Ms. Litty’s Office has collected over four million dollars since elected. This money is returned to the counties in her circuit and the state to help defray the costs of the Criminal Justice System.
- Perfect State Audits conducted by the State Auditor General’s Office since elected.
- Received the Davis Productivity Award, one of the most prestigious awards earned by a Public Official, three times.
- Initiated the Investigator Intern Program which had been adopted by Indian River Community College as a college credit class. The program utilizes volunteers to help with client interviews and investigations. The Program has received, along with the Davis Productivity Award, the JC Penney Golden Rule Award.
- Created and developed Client Services Program - Developed this program to assist misdemeanor & juvenile clients identified with mental illness or retardation with individualized rehabilitation plans for sentencing.
- Created & developed the Ex-offender Re-entry Program - The program is a collaborative effort between the Public Defender’s Office and local law enforcement to help reduce recidivism by assisting clients with jobs and skills in preparation for their release from county jail.
- Mental Health Court - Initiated this specialized court to help clients charged with minor offenses who are identified with mental health illness.
- Volunteer Intern Unit - This program utilizes volunteers in all facets of the Public Defender’s Office and helps prepare young people for the workplace. It also utilizes our retired resources, again saving taxpayer dollars.
- LifeBuilders of the Treasure Coast, Inc. – president of this non-profit organization created by a group of concerned citizens in an attempt to help those involved in the court system be successful. The program seeks to reduce crime, recidivism, and assist low-income individuals who come in contact with Treasure Coast courts as a consequence of criminal behavior or a dependency action.
OFFICE OF THE PUBLIC DEFENDER, 19TH JUDICIAL CIRCUIT, MISSION STATEMENT
“By seeking equality for all within the justice system, we find a better path for those who falter, making the journey better for us all. Our commitment to you and the community reaches past the courtroom.”
PERSONAL INTERESTS & HOBBIES:
- Marathon Runner
- Triathlon Competitor
- Paddleboarding
- Fishing
- Surfing
- Hiking
- Golfing
- Skiing
