James Perry
| James Perry | |
 | |
| Current Court Information: | |
| Florida Supreme Court | |
| Title: | Justice |
| Service: | |
| Appointed by: | Charlie Crist |
| Active: | 2009-2017 |
| Preceded by: | Charles Wells |
| Past post: | Florida Eighteenth Circuit Court |
| Past term: | 2000-2009 |
| Personal History | |
| Born: | 1944 |
| Bachelors: | Saint Augustine's College, 1966 |
| Law School: | Columbia Law School, 1972 |
| Military service: | United States Army 1966-1969 |
Contents |
James E.C. Perry is an associate justice of the seven member Florida Supreme Court. He was first nominated to the court in the state's Commission-selection, political appointment method of judicial selection in March of 2009 by Charlie Crist to fill the seat vacated by Charles Wells. Justice Perry was retained for another six year term on November 2, 2010. His current term expires in 2017.[1]
Education
Perry earned his undergraduate degree in Business Administration and Accounting from Saint Augustine's College in 1966. After serving in the Army, he earned his Juris Doctor from Columbia Law School in 1972.[1]
Professional career
Upon completion of his undergraduate degree, Perry went to officers' school to fulfill mandatory service. He served in the United States Army from 1966 until 1969, leaving the service as a First Lieutenant. Following his admission to the bar, Perry went into private practice where he worked for various firms over the course of his 21 year career including time as a senior partner at Perry & Hicks, P.A.. In 2000 Governor Jeb Bush appointed Perry to the 18th Judicial Circuit serving Seminole and Brevard counties. In 2003, Perry was unanimously elected by his fellow judges to the position of Chief Judge for the 18th Circuit. In 2009 Perry was appointed to the Florida Supreme Court, a position which he still serves.[1][2]
Awards and Associations
Awards
- Humanitarian Award, NAACP, Seminole County
- Paul C. Perkins Award, NAACP, Orange County Chapter
- Martin Luther King Drum Major Award, 2005
- Key to the City, New Bern, North Carolina
- Williams-Johnson Outstanding Jurist of the Year Award, Brevard and Seminole County Bar Associations, 2006[1]
Associations
- Manager, SanLando Greyhounds, AAU basketball team
- Founder Jackie Robinson Sports Association
- President, Jackie Robinson Sports Association
- Captain, Heart of Florida United Way Campaign
- General Counsel, Florida Chapter Branches of the NAACP
- Board of Trustees, Saint Augustine’s College
- Member, Carter CME Tabernacle Church of Orlando[1]
Elections
2010
| Florida Supreme Court, Associate Justice 2010 General election results | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Candidates | Votes | Percent | ||
James Perry 
|
2,741,271 | 61.7% | ||
| Against retention | 1,700,729 | 38.3% | ||
- Click here for 2010 General Election Results from the Florida Secretary of State.
- Main article: Florida judicial elections, 2010
2009 appointment
Charlie Crist said of the appointment “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.” [2]
Judicial philosophy
Perry refers to himself as "apolitical" and has refused comment on whether or not he is an "activist" judge. “In my analysis of the law, it seems those who call people activists are those who don’t rule for them," Perry told reporters. "In this field somebody has to lose. We have to make decisions. That is another term that has been over utilized. It’s a political term.” [3][1]
See also
External links
- Crist names Perry to Fla. Supreme Court Florida AP, March 11, 2009
- Crist Appoints Perry To Florida Supreme Court, Tampa Bay Online, March 11, 2009
- Judge Perry to the Supremes?, South Florida Lawyers, March 11, 2009
- Justice Perry's profile on Project Vote Smart
References
| |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Current |
Fred Lewis • Barbara Pariente • Peggy Quince • Charles Canady • Ricky Polston • Jorge Labarga • James Perry • | ||
| Former | Charles Wells • Harry Lee Anstead • Raoul Cantero • Kenneth Bell • Joseph Hatchett • Rosemary Barkett • | ||
