Judicial selection in Florida

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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

References