Palm Beach State Attorney Dave Aronberg will again work the Christmas shift, allowing staff to stay home

Palm Beach County State Attorney Dave Aronberg says he’ll handle a Christmas shift for his office, a now-annual tradition aimed to give his staff some time off for the holidays.

Aronberg will attend the First Appearance Court hearings on Christmas Day at the Gun Club Courthouse starting at 9 a.m.

Most individuals who are arrested must see a judge within 24 hours. That means any Christmas Eve arrests require a court to operate the next day. When a state representative is needed at that courthouse, Aronberg will be there “until the docket is completed,” according to a Wednesday release from his office.

Aronberg, who is Jewish and celebrated Hanukkah earlier this month, has carried out the Christmas Day-effort for several years. Aronberg has led the State Attorney’s Office in the 15th Judicial Circuit — which encompasses Palm Beach County — since he was first elected in 2012.

“It is a small thank you to my hard-working staff to cover First Appearance court and allow my team members to be home with their families on Christmas Day,” Aronberg said.

That shift can often cover domestic disputes stemming from Christmas gatherings, as Aronberg explained in 2017 while picking up the shift.

“It’s the dark side of families getting together with food and alcohol, it’s that you have some people who act poorly then commit domestic violence or other crimes,” Aronberg said.

It’s unclear whether the health recommendations to limit Christmas gatherings will also limit the court load during the holidays. Typically, Aronberg might see a few dozen cases on the Christmas docket.

The assist from Aronberg is likely welcomed as families look to relax after a challenging year highlighted by the still ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. That virus impacted Aronberg directly, as he tested positive for COVID-19 in July before recovering.

Aronberg also served eight years in the Florida Senate.