Judicial selection in Florida
From Judgepedia
Floridians receive their judges via two different methods.[1]
Contents |
Methods
Supreme Court and District Court
District court and Supreme Court justices are appointed by the governor based upon the recommendation of the state's judicial nominating commission.
Circuit Court
Florida's circuit court justices are elected via non-partisan elections.
Nominating Commissions
In Florida, there are twenty-six different judicial nominating commissions that nominate applicants for Florida court vacancies:
- A statewide nominating commission for the Florida Supreme Court,
- A commission for each of the twenty circuit courts in the state,
- A commission for each of the five district courts of appeal.
- A commission for each of the twenty judicial circuits.
When there is a vacancy on the Florida Supreme Court, the Florida Supreme Court Nominating Commission submits a list of three to six nominees to the Governor of Florida, who then appoints one of the nominees.
Members of the nominating commissions
Each nominating commission includes nine members who are appointed by the governor.
- Four of the members are attorneys appointed (by the governor) from lists of nominees submitted to him or her by the Florida Bar.
- Of the remaining five members, at least two must be attorneys.
- Members must be residents of the jurisdiction the commission serves.
- Members serve four-year terms.
See Also
External links
- Florida Voters to Decide Judicial Selection
- Rules of procedure for the Florida Supreme Court nominating commission

