Jacksonville court Magistrate Renea Rochus often meets residents on hard times: After they’ve been the victim of a crime, or sometimes after they’ve committed one (no felonies, just misdemeanors at the city level). Taking statements, writing warrants and sorting out the court’s reactions to crime are all part of the job.
But somehow, Rochus is lighthearted. The desk just behind her window at the Public Safety Complex is decorated with Harry Potter memorabilia (she’s in Hufflepuff house, the one that values hard work and loyalty), photos of her family and handmade knick knacks from her kids. Rochus is quick to smile and quick to laugh, a good vibes-type who seems to effortlessly connect.
“We deal with people sometimes on what’s their worst day, and they really don’t want to be here,” Rochus said. “I try to be a little light in their terrible day.”
Surprisingly, Rochus hadn’t set her sights on a legal career at all. She was interested in finance, and was even first hired into the city by the finance department in 2015 as an accounts payable clerk — an important job, but not so public-facing as her current role.
In 2016, then-magistrate Angela Crane noticed that Rochus worked 30 hours a week and, in dire need of backup, helped Rochus become certified to take on the role part-time. When the position opened full-time, Rochus slid over from finance to the courts, where she’s stayed since.
Now she works closely with police, assessing the facts from police reports and victim statements, issuing arrest warrants and collecting fines when people come by the court office to pay them.
Outside of work time, Rochus says her favorite thing to do is spend time with her family: her wife, Paige, and daughters Leighton, 16, and Logan, 14.
Asked if her kids think it’s cool that their mom has the power to order arrests, Rochus laughed and said they do.
“They get mad at me because they want to know everything that’s going on,” she said, “but I can’t tell them. It’s confidential.”
