Florida judicial news

From Judgepedia

News about or affecting the judiciary in Florida.

Newest Florida Supreme Court appointee

Florida: James Perry was appointed to the Florida Supreme Court in early March of 2009 by Republican Governor Charlie Christ after the retirement of Charles Wells. Perry is the fourth black justice to serve on the court, one of two serving currently. He is the fourth justice that Christ has appointed to the Supreme Court.

Christ said of the nomination: "I have given much thought to appointing Judge Perry to Florida’s highest court. Our seven Supreme Court justices make precedent-setting decisions on important matters. I am confident Judge Perry will rule with restraint, fairness and humility. He has shown, throughout his personal and professional life, the ability to balance justice with humanity." ^[1]

Articles: Overview (click on link for complete article)

• NAACP files brief in FSC judicial-nomination case (April 28, 2009) Governor Charlie Crist has returned the list of recommendations from the Florida Judicial Nominating Commission without having made an appointment. He is requesting that they create a new list with more minority applicants. The NAACP has filed an amicus brief supporting the Governor's request.

• Crist names Perry to Fla. Supreme Court {March 11, 2009) Gov. Charlie Crist's appointment of Circuit Judge James Perry, who is black, to the Florida Supreme Court cheered civil, gay and abortion rights groups but drew criticism Wednesday from social conservatives who had lobbied for another nominee.

• Supreme Court judicial selection on fast track (July 2, 2008) Over-view of Florida Supreme Court Judicial Nominating Commission and how the process of replacing empty seats on the high court works.

• Judge: City officials must hand over home PCs (June 12, 2008) Circuit Judge Robert Bennett ordered three Venice, FL council members to turn over their home computers to a computer expert charged with extracting government-business e-mails. The hearing was in conjunction with a Government-in-the-Sunshine Law suit. (See also: Public-Private Divide July 9, 2008)

• No Competition Means Judges Win (5/3/08) State Attorney Bruce Colton and nine circuit judges based throughout Indian River, Martin, St. Lucie and Okeechobee counties faced no opposition by the end of... the cut-off period for candidates to qualify to run. As a result, they were automatically re-elected without having to be on the primary or general election ballots, according to the state Division of Elections. Most of the judges qualified by paying the about $5,800 fee rather than collecting signatures. The sole exception was Circuit Judge Dan Vaughn, who also collected signatures the last time he ran in 2002. Also back in office without opposition are County Judges Kathryn Nelson and Philip Yacucci in St. Lucie and County Judge Kathleen Roberts in Martin, according to county elections records. Voters still get the chance to cast ballots in two races. Longtime Public Defender Diamond Litty, a Republican, faces a challenge from defense attorney Donald Chinquina, a Democrat.

• Crist seeks SC opinion on judicial vacancy (5/12/08) Attorneys for two candidates vying for a vacant seat on the Leon County Court are asking the Florida Supreme Court to let the voters decide who will replace an ousted state judge instead of leaving that decision to the governor. The lawyers for rival candidates Nina Ashenafi Richardson and Sean Desmond filed a brief in the case Gov. Charlie Crist brought asking the state Supreme Court what is legally required to fill the vacancy left by a judge who was forced from the bench.

• Florida Justice leaving Court (4/14/2008) Citing family reasons, Supreme Court Justice Raoul Cantero announces his resignation, effective September 6, 2008.

References