The Honorable James D. Sloan

The Honorable James D. Sloan

Circuit Judge

Administrative Judge Hendry County and Administrative Judge Glades County

Division Glades & Hendry Counties

Criminal100%
General Civil100%
Juvenile Dependency100%
Domestic Relations100%
Guardianship100%

Judicial Assistant Shandy
Phone (863) 675-5225
Fax (863) 675-5361
Email   sanderson@ca.cjis20.org

Mailing Address
Hendry County Courthouse
PO Box 567
LaBelle, FL 33975


Judge James Sloan is a native Floridian having been born in St. Petersburg and raised in Clearwater. Not straying from his roots he graduated from Clearwater High School in 1974, St. Petersburg Junior College in 1975 and the University of South Florida in 1977 with a degree in Political Science. Judge Sloan attended Stetson College of Law in St. Petersburg where he received his JD in 1981.

He began his legal career in Altamonte Springs in 1981 but relocated to LaBelle in 1983 with his bride of 6 months, Kathy, where they have resided since. He remained in private practice until 1992 while serving at the part-time county attorney for Hendry County from 1985 – 1990 and the city attorney from 1990 until May 1992. In May of 1992 Judge Sloan was appointed to the county bench by Governor Lawton Chiles to complete the term of retiring Judge Broward N. Parsons. He continued in that capacity for the next 22 ½ years until he was elevated to the Circuit Court bench by Governor Rick Scott on September 1, 2014 where he continues to serve.

On being a county court judge, Judge Sloan comments: "I really enjoy the challenge of being a County Court Judge. Especially in Hendry County. I realize that in a vast majority of cases I am the Court of last resort for many of the folks that appear in front of me. It can be a very difficult job but it also has its rewarding times. I never cease to be amazed by the wide variety of situations and dilemmas that people find themselves in."

Judge Sloan has served multiple years as the Administrative Judge for Hendry County and is a former chair of the Hendry County Juvenile Justice Advisory Council. He also initiated Teen Court and one of the first Drug Courts in the Twentieth Circuit. In 1996 he was named as Florida Judge of the Year by the Florida Law Related Education Association. Judge Sloan has taught at both the Florida Judicial College as well as the Florida Advanced Judicial College and currently serves on the 20th Judicial Circuit Professionalism Committee.

Judge Sloan has been married to his wife Kathy for 38 years, has 3 children and 3 grandchildren.

Orders: Downloads
Deposition Reporting Form View
Proposed Agreed Upon Case Management View
Standing Order for Circuit Civil Cases View
Memorandum regarding changes of procedures in relation to COVID View
Judge Sloan Online Procedures View