Candidate: Jeffrey Walton Hendriks

Judge Jeffrey Hendriks was born in Ontario, Canada in 1972.  He graduated from Martin County High School in 1989.  Upon graduation, he enlisted in the United States Marine Corps and served as an armor crewman.  He was deployed in Operation Desert Shield/Storm as well as Operation Restore Hope in Somalia.

Upon completing his first enlistment, Judge Hendriks attended the University of Central Florida (UCF) while still serving as an armor crewman in the United States Marine Corps Reserve out of Tallahassee, Florida.  He graduated UCF with a Bachelor’s Degree in Criminal Justice in 1998.

After graduating UCF, he attended Officer Candidate School in Quantico, Virginia where he was commissioned a Second Lieutenant in the Marine Corps.

After receiving his commission, Judge Hendriks attended Stetson University, College of Law in St. Petersburg, Florida, while still attached to the Marine Corps Amphibian Assault unit out of Tampa, Florida.

After completing law school, Judge Hendriks was admitted to the Florida Bar in 2001.  Judge Hendriks then went back on active duty in the Marine Corps where he served in numerous capacities to include as a JAG as well as a working with Special Operations Command - Central (SOCCENT) out of MacDill Air Force Base in the Command Center.

Upon completing this tour, Judge Hendriks, in 2004, began working as an Assistant State Attorney (ASA) for Bruce Colton in the 19th Judicial Circuit of Florida. While an ASA, Judge Hendriks prosecuted misdemeanor and felony cases as a line prosecutor for approximately 3 years.  In 2007, he was promoted to a Felony Division Supervisor where he continued prosecuting cases while supervising other felony prosecutors for approximately 9 years.  In 2016, Judge Hendriks was promoted to the Major Crimes Division where he prosecuted the area’s most serious and high profile crimes.  During his time as an ASA, Judge Hendriks tried over 100 jury trials.

In July 2019 Judge Hendriks was appointed to the St. Lucie County bench and serves the citizens of St. Lucie County in Criminal Court.

Additionally, Judge Hendriks has been an adjunct professor at the Indian River State College (IRSC) for over 10 years.  He has taught paralegal & law classes; Police Academy Recruit classes as well as advanced law enforcement classes for experienced law enforcement officers.  In 2012, Judge Hendriks was named the IRSC Adjunct Professor of the Year.

Judge Hendriks is married to Jennifer, a St. Lucie County Deputy Sheriff of 20 years.  They have two children, Samuel, 7, and Claire, 3.