Judges Re-elected and New Appointments in Florida

News Summary

In Florida’s judicial system, Chief Judges Lance Day and Leah Case have been re-elected without opposition, while new judges Amanda Levy-Reis, James Stewart, Johnathan Lott, Laura Moody, and Darrell Hill have been appointed. The community can expect new leadership and perspectives as these judges step into their roles. With upcoming retirements of Judge Joseph Fuller and Judge James Sloan, the legal landscape in Florida is set for transformation.

Judges Re-elected and New Appointments Announced in Florida’s Judicial Circuits

Welcome to the sunshine state! In an exciting turn of events within the Florida judicial system, several judges have been either re-elected or newly appointed across different judicial circuits. It’s that time of year again where some familiar faces continue their journeys while new ones step into the limelight!

Chief Judges Celebrate Re-elections

Starting off with some good news, Chief Judge Lance Day has been re-elected without facing any opposition for a second two-year term in the 4th Judicial Circuit. His term will run from July 1, 2025, until June 30, 2027. This circuit covers the vibrant areas of Clay, Duval, and Nassau counties. It looks like Day will continue to lead the charge in these communities!

Joining the re-election party is Chief Judge Leah Case, who has also been re-elected without opposition. She will embark on a fresh two-year term starting July 1 in the 7th Judicial Circuit, which includes scenic spots like Flagler, Putnam, St. Johns, and Volusia counties. Both judges seem ready to keep their circuits running smoothly, much to the delight of their communities.

New Faces in the 20th Judicial Circuit

On the new appointments front, Florida Governor Ron DeSantis has made some notable picks in the 20th Judicial Circuit, announcing the addition of Amanda Levy-Reis and James Stewart as judges. Levy-Reis hails from the beautiful town of Bonita Springs and boasts a Juris Doctor from Stetson University. Since 2023, she has been serving as a staff attorney for Florida Rural Legal Services and brings her valuable experience from a previous role as a law clerk for the U.S. District Court.

Next up is James Stewart, a Naples native with a wealth of experience under his belt. He has been juggling responsibilities as the Deputy Chief Assistant State Attorney in the 20th Circuit since 2022. With a Juris Doctor from Northeastern University, Stewart has been with the State Attorney’s Office since 2007, ensuring justice is upheld across the circuit.

Interestingly, these new appointments come as a result of the imminent *retirement* of Judge Joseph Fuller, who has honorable served as a Circuit Judge for 18 years. Fuller will officially step down on December 31, 2024. Meanwhile, Judge James Sloan, a seasoned judge since 1992, has also announced his retirement, effective November 30, 2024.

New Appointments Across Other Circuits

Additionally, Governor DeSantis didn’t stop at the 20th Circuit. He also appointed Johnathan Lott to the Seventeenth Judicial Circuit Court. Lott has been working as an Assistant U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of Florida since 2020, after serving as an Associate Attorney at a prestigious law firm. With a bachelor’s degree from the University of Florida and a Juris Doctor from the University of Chicago, Lott is set to bring his expertise to the bench.

Meanwhile, in the Eighteenth Judicial Circuit Court, Laura Moody has been appointed as a judge. Moody has been serving as the Chief Legal Counsel for the Brevard County Sheriff’s Office since 2019 and was an Assistant State Attorney prior to that. With her educational background of a bachelor’s degree from the University of Central Florida and a Juris Doctor from Florida A&M University, she is well-equipped to handle her new responsibilities.

Last but not least, Darrell Hill was appointed as a Judge on the Twentieth Judicial Circuit Court. Hill has been serving as a County Court Judge for Hendry County since 2018. Adding to his credentials, Hill was previously the owner of his private practice. He holds a bachelor’s degree from the University of Florida and a Juris Doctor from Cumberland School of Law.

What’s Next?

With these changes in the Florida judicial landscape, communities can look forward to new perspectives and leadership in their courts. Whether it’s through the proven wisdom of long-serving judges or the innovative ideas from newly appointed ones, Florida is well on its way to upholding justice for all its residents. Stay tuned to see how these judges shape the legal landscape in the coming years!

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Additional Resources

• Northeast Florida’s Chief Judges Reelected – Jax Daily Record
• Gov. DeSantis Appoints Two Judges to 20th Circuit Court – Florida Politics
• Governor Ron DeSantis Makes Judicial Appointments – Florida Government
• Judges Recommendation 2024 – Flagler Live
• Encyclopedia Britannica: Florida Judiciary