Florida Gov. DeSantis to appoint new circuit judge for Tallahassee-area court
A slate of six finalists has been sent to Gov. Ron DeSantis, who will appoint one as the next circuit judge for north Florida's 2nd Judicial Circuit.
A judicial nominating commission (JNC) for the circuit interviewed the candidates April 30, a news release said, and released the list later that same day. The finalists, in alphabetical order, are:
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James A. Beville, an assistant state attorney based in Quincy.
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C. Ian Garland, a lawyer in the Medicaid Fraud Control Unit of the Florida Attorney General's Office.
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Jason Jones, a Leon County judge.
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Stefanie Newlin, another Leon County judge.
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Carlos Rey, general counsel for the Florida Senate.
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Steven Sellers, an attorney with Tallahassee's O'Steen & O'Steen law firm.
DeSantis now has 60 days to make his appointment. Circuit judges who are appointed must run as no party-candidates in the next general election. They then serve six-year terms.
The 2nd Judicial Circuit, based in Tallahassee, includes Franklin, Gadsden, Jefferson, Leon, Liberty and Wakulla counties. The new judge replaces retired Circuit Judge Robert Wheeler.
Among other things, circuit judges handle felony and juvenile cases and civil lawsuits worth $50,000 or more . According to the Office of the State Courts Administrator , as of the 2024-25 budget year, circuit judges are paid $196,898.04 per year.
The governor also must appoint a new judge for the 1st District Court of Appeal, also headquartered in the capital; he received a slate of finalists for that opening on April 4.
Previous story: DeSantis will pick as 13 vie for circuit judge spot in Florida's 2nd Judicial Circuit
More: DeSantis receives 6 nominees for Florida 1st District Court of Appeal vacancy
Information on the applicants comes from The Florida Bar and online searches. This story contains previously published material. Jim Rosica can be reached at jrosica@tallahassee.com . Follow him on X: @JimRosicaFL .
This article originally appeared on Tallahassee Democrat: DeSantis to appoint new judge in Tallahassee-based trial court
