Florida Supreme Court Judge retention

Judges stand for retention election near the end of their term of office. 

In a retention election, judges don’t have opponents. Voters decide to retain a judge in office. If a judge receives a majority of “yes” votes, the judge will serve another full term.

Florida has four justices up for retention.

Justice Charles Canady is the Chief Justice.

He became the head judge July 1. He was appointed to the Florida Supreme Court in September 2008.

Facts about Chief judge Canady, according to the Florida Supreme Court website:

• Received J.D. from Yale Law School
• Served 3 terms with the State House of Representatives
• Served 4 terms in the US House of Representatives
• General Counsel to Gov. Jeb Bush
• Appointed to 2nd District Court of Appeal in 2002.

Chief Canady was born in Lakeland, FL.

Justice Jorge Labarga

He was appointed to the Supreme Court in December 2008 by Gov. Charlie Crist. On January 1, 2009 he became the 84th Justice to take office.

• Received J.D. from University of Florida
• Worked in Public Defender’s and State Attorney’s offices in West Palm Beach
• Appointed to Circuit Court (15th judicial circuit) by Governor Lawton Chiles

Justice Labarga was born in Cuba in 1952. He moved the United States and grew up in Pahokee.

Justice James Perry

He was appointed to the Supreme Court by Gov. Charlie Crist. He took office in March 2009. He is the last justice appointed to the bench.

• Earned his J.D. from Columbia Law School
• Appointed to Circuit Court Judge (Brevard and Seminole Counties) by Gov. Jeb Bush
• Served as Chief Circuit Court Judge

Justice Perry was born in New Bern, North Carolina. Two of Justice Perry’s children practice law in the Central Florida area.

Justice Ricky Polston was appointed to the Supreme Court and took office in October 2008 by Gov. Charlie Crist.

• Received J.D. from Florida State University College of Law
• First District Court of Appeal
• Employed as a college Professor and a certified accountant

Justice Polston grew up in the panhandle.

State Supreme Court justices have mandatory retirement of 70.