Published on
Viera, Fla. — September 24, 2025
Former Brevard County teacher Karly Anderson, convicted earlier this year for her role in a Cocoa Beach house party where students were caught drinking, is back in court Wednesday as a judge considers two critical motions: whether to strike part of her sentence and whether to cut her probation short.
Anderson was found guilty in May of disorderly intoxication endangering safety and resisting an officer without violence. Both stemmed from a January 19 incident at the home of Cocoa Beach principal Elizabeth Hill-Brodigan, where police responded to reports of a party involving more than 100 underage students.
Hill-Brodigan, facing her own charges of child neglect and contributing to the delinquency of minors, still awaits trial.
Anderson was sentenced to 12 months of probation, community service, random alcohol and drug testing, and court costs. She was also ordered to pay $500 to the Children’s Advocacy Center of Brevard.
Anderson’s defense team argues the $500 “donation” is illegal under Florida law.
Florida Statute § 938.10 only allows courts to impose such advocacy center assessments when a conviction is for specific crimes involving minors—like child abuse, lewd acts, or contributing to delinquency. Anderson’s convictions, disorderly intoxication and resisting arrest, are not on that list.
Appellate courts have consistently struck similar unauthorized fines. In J.S. v. State (2006), the Fifth District Court of Appeal ruled that even if minors were involved in the facts of the case, the cost can only apply if the statute of conviction is one of those listed.
What to expect: The judge is almost certain to grant this motion and strike the $500 requirement, leaving the rest of her sentence intact.
Anderson has also asked the court to end her probation early. In filings, her attorney says she has completed all community service, paid her fines, and remained in good standing with probation officers.
However, under Florida law, judges typically do not consider early termination until at least half the probation term has been served. Anderson has only completed about three months of her 12-month term.
What to expect: The court is unlikely to grant early termination tomorrow. At best, the judge could reduce her probation length or allow her to reapply after six months.
Complicating matters further, Anderson has an active appeal of her convictions pending with the Fifth District Court of Appeal. While the trial court retains jurisdiction to correct sentencing errors under Rule 3.800(b)(2), it usually does not have jurisdiction to modify probation while an appeal is pending. That procedural wrinkle could lead the judge to deny or delay her request for early termination.
The case has drawn intense scrutiny, not only because of Anderson’s conviction, but also because of questions surrounding whether Brevard Public Schools and Superintendent Mark Rendell properly reported the arrests of both Anderson and Hill-Brodigan to the Florida Department of Education, as required by law.
DOE has sanctioned other educators for lesser misconduct, and critics say Anderson has received favorable treatment due to her personal ties to district leadership.
The hearing is scheduled for Wednesday morning at 10am in Brevard County Court.
