Pointing to a study of judicial workloads, the Florida Supreme Court this week recommended adding 50 judges across the state. Under the recommendation, the state would add 23 circuit judges, 25 county judges and two judges on the 6th District Court of Appeal. The 7th Judicial Circuit, which includes Flagler, Volusia, St. Johns and Putnam Counties, was found to need two additional circuit judges but no additional county judges.
seventh judicial circuit
With No Chance of Appointment, Jim Manfre’s Pledge to Run for Judge in 2 Years Still Sways Nominating Commission’s Questions
Former Sheriff Jim Manfre’s candidacy for county judge was dead on arrival at interviews for the job Wednesday, but he still managed to influence the process by advocating for a Flagler choice.
Interviews for Flagler County Judge: Several Convincing Choices, A Few Odd and Startling Ones
After 24 interviews by a nominating commission, several Flagler County based candidates for Flagler County judge stood out for the short-list that will go to Gov. Ron DeSantis, who’ll make the appointment later this year.
Judge Jim Manfre? Former Sheriff Among Applicants for New Flagler County Judge Seat
With two days to go before the application window closes, eight candidates have applied to be appointed Flagler County judge, the second county judge seat the Legislature approved in its last session to share the docket of County Judge Melissa Distler.
So You Want To Be a Flagler County Judge: Nominating Commission Is Fielding Applicants
The Judicial Nominating Commission for the Seventh Judicial Circuit is taking applications for the newly created Flagler County Judge seat, leaving Gov. Ron DeSantis to make the appointment likely this fall.
Supreme Court Excoriates Ex-Flagler Judge DuPont, Citing Manufactured Facts, Disrespect and Blatant Disregard for Rules
The decision amounts to a brutal condemnation of Scott DuPont’s behavior by the state’s highest court and a signal to other prospective judges that zero tolerance applies with regards to violations of the Code of Judicial Conduct.
Flagler Judge DuPont’s Fate in Supreme Court’s Hands As He Pleads For ‘Second Chance’
Flagler and Putnam Circuit Judge Scott DuPont, facing removal, filed his last pleading before the Florida Supreme Court decides his fate in the next few weeks.
Flagler Judge Scott DuPont Called “Unfit,” “Outrageous,” “Disturbing,” “Beyond Reckless” and Contemptuous of Law
A devastating 21-page opinion by a disciplinary judicial commission repeats in harsher language a call for Judge Scott DuPont’s removal, a recommendation going before the Supreme Court.
Judge Craig Is Out, Judge Perkins Is In As Flagler’s Felony and Civil Benches Again Flip
Circuit Judge Terence Perkins will replace Dennis Craig, who’s headed back to Volusia, becoming the sixth judge in eight years to preside over Flagler County’s felony court.
As Judge DuPont Continues to Battle Removal, Zambrano Orders Flagler Bench Again Shuffled
Flagler County will lose Family Judge R. Lee Smith to Putnam after less than two years and gain newly-minted Judge Chris France, among other changes caused by the DuPont affair.
Zambrano Orders Judge Scott DuPont to Clear Out of His Offices In Flagler and Putnam
Chief Judge Raul Zambrano’s order, delivered to DuPont by letter today, is as close to the firing of a judge short of a Supreme Court impeachment, and follows an investigation’s withering recommendation for removal.
Chief Judge Has Discouraging News For Flagler’s Hope of Landing 2nd County Judge
Despite certifying Flagler for an additional county court judge in 2016 and recognizing a still-increasing workload last year the Supreme Court has ruled against certifying an additional judge this year.
Charges or Sanctions Against Judge Scott DuPont Up to Commission as Hearing Ends
The final hearing in the year-long case alleging misconduct against Circuit Court Judge Scott DuPont ended Tuesday, with a decision expected sometime in the next two months.
Judge Kim C. Hammond, Legend From Seminole Gridiron to Flagler Courtroom, Dies at 72
Judge Kim C. Hammond was appointed to the bench by Gov. Bob Graham in 1979 and spent his entire judicial in Flagler County, where the county courthouse now bears his name.
Flagler Circuit Judge Scott DuPont Faces Charges of “Recklessly” Spreading Baseless Claims About Opponent
Circuit Judge Scott DuPont may face serious disciplinary action from the Florida Supreme Court if the Judicial Qualifications Commission recommends it after finding probable cause that he violated ethical rules in his latest election campaign.
Musical Chairs Continue as Flagler Will Have 5th Different Criminal Court Judge in 7 Years
Circuit Judge Matthew Foxman, in Flagler less than a year, is being reassigned to Volusia County, and will be replaced by Judge Dennis Craig, a Flagler resident who’d previously presided over civil and family court law.
For 1st Time in 9 Years, Bonding Out of Jail in Flagler Made More Expensive for Most Suspects
The new bond schedule in some cases doubles bonds or eliminates them for many offenses, but the schedule applies for only a brief period between arrest and first appearance before a judge, when any amount bond (or no bond) can be set.
Flagler’s Circuit Judge J. David Walsh, Master of Judicial Temperament, Retiring in February
Circuit Judge J. David Walsh, who addresses the state’s too-harsh sentencing guidelines in an interview, was appointed to the bench in 2001 by Gov. Jeb Bush, and has been in Flagler County since 2012.
Judge William Parsons Is Resigning to Join Cobb Cole Firm in Daytona
Circuit Judge William Parsons, twice the chief judge in the judicial district that includes Flagler, will end 17 years on the bench to return to private practice next January.
4 Years In, Judge Dennis Craig Is Reassigned To Volusia and Replaced By Michael Orfinger
Craig has been reassigned to the civil division in Daytona Beach. He will be replaced in Flagler by Michael Orfinger, who was elected to the bench after running unopposed last summer.
Circuit Judge Julianne Piggotte, in Daytona Beach, Retiring After 21 Years
Piggotte has been a judge since 1990, and was chief judge of the Seventh Judicial Circuit, which includes Flagler County, from 2003 to 2005.