Judge John M. Griesbaum: Professional Background and Legal Expertise

The Hon. John M. Griesbaum (Ret.) was a judge for the 18th Judicial Circuit Court of Florida. He was appointed to the bench by former Governor Jeb Bush in 2000. Griesbaum retired in 2015.

The 18th Judicial Circuit includes Brevard and Seminole Counties. He is credited with helping to establish a juvenile dependency drug court in the 18th Judicial Circuit.

Griesbaum received a B.A. from the University of Texas in 1971. He then completed a J.D. at St. Mary’s University School of Law in 1973.

After graduating from law school, he worked as a private practice attorney in Texas. In 1982, Griesbaum relocated to Florida, where he began his tenure as an assistant public defender with the Office of the Public Defender for the Eighteenth Judicial Circuit. Three years later, he became an assistant state attorney in the Eighteenth Judicial Circuit, where he eventually became a division chief.

An active member of his community, Griesbaum held several positions with the Titusville Rotary Club. He also served as a member of the Brevard County Children Services Council and the Brevard County Public Schools.

Griesbaum received the Distinguished Service Award from the Florida Council on Crime and Delinquency (2015) and the Space Coast Public Service Lifetime Achievement Award (2017).

A veteran of the United States Navy, Griesbaum was involved with the Nuclear Polaris Submarine Program. He was on active duty until 1970, continuing his military service as an assistant legal officer in the United States Coast Guard and remained a member of the Coast Guard until retiring as a reserve in 1986.