Skip to Main Content "" ""
Home Justices Public Information Clerk's Office Oral Arguments On-line Docket Opinions Search


 

Justices of the Florida Supreme Court

  • Chief Justice Peggy A. Quince
  • Justice Barbara J. Pariente
  • Justice R. Fred Lewis
  • Justice Charles T. Canady
  • Justice Ricky Polston
  • Justice Jorge Labarga
  • Justice James E.C. Perry

  • Listing of All Justices
  • Dates of Service
  • Succession of Chief Justices
  • Merit Retention
  • Mandatory Retirement
  • About the Court
  • Justices Home Page

  • Florida Supreme Court
    500 South Duval Street
    Tallahassee, Florida
    32399-1925



    Justice's Banner
     

    Merit Retention & Mandatory Retirement of Justices of the Supreme Court

    Merit retention is a system of selecting Justices established by the voters when they amended the Florida Constitution in the 1970s. Under merit retention, the Governor appoints new Justices from a list of three to six names submitted by a Judicial Nominating Commission. The Governor must select from the list. Once appointed, Justices eventually must face the voters in a "yes" or "no" vote as to whether they should remain in office.

    New Justices face their first merit retention vote in the next general election that occurs more than one year after their appointment. If not retained in office, the Justice will be replaced in the same manner appointed. Justices' merit retention races are conducted on a statewide basis.

    If retained, the Justice serves a six-year term beginning in early January following the merit retention election. The Justices then will again face an up or down vote in the general election occurring just before the six-year term expires. If not retained in office, the Justice will be replaced through the Judicial Nominating Commission system.

    All terms of Justices end in early January of the year following their merit retention elections.

    The Florida Constitution establishes a mandatory retirement age for Justices that occurs on or after their 70th birthdays. The exact date of retirement depends upon when the 70th birthday occurs. If it occurs during the first half of a Justice's six-year term, then the mandatory retirement age is the same as the birthday. If the 70th birthday occurs in the second half of a Justice's six-year term, then the Justice can remain in office until the full term expires.

    Information About Current Justices

    BARBARA J. PARIENTE

    • Took office 1997
    • Merit retention vote 2012

    R. FRED LEWIS

    • Took office 1999
    • Merit retention vote 2012

    PEGGY A. QUINCE

    • Took office 1999
    • Merit retention vote 2012

    CHARLES T. CANADY

    • Took office 2008
    • Merit retention vote 2010

    RICKY POLSTON

    • Took office 2008
    • Merit retention vote 2010

    JORGE LABARGA

    • Took office 2009
    • Merit retention vote 2010

    JAMES E.C. PERRY

    • Took office 2009
    • Merit retention vote 2010

     


    All inquiries about this page: publicinformation@flcourts.org