Phil Ammann
With the most modest recommendations in at least 10 years, the Florida Supreme Court will suggest lawmakers add just one circuit judge to the 2016-2017 budget.
LobbyTools reports that the high court, during its annual analysis of statewide caseloads, will be making the proposal to the Florida Legislature as it considers the upcoming state budget.
Facing reduced caseloads and scaled-back certifications for additional judges, a single circuit court was the only jurisdiction demonstrating an increased need: the 5th Judicial Circuit covering Marion, Citrus, Hernando, Lake and Sumter counties.
In the request for the 5th Circuit, justices cited the growth of the region, a higher number of cases needing interpretation, and more self-represented litigants.
According to LobbyTools, Gov. Rick Scott made no reference to any new judgeships in his proposed 2016 budget.
However, in Marion County, one of the five regions expected to benefit by approval of a new circuit judgeship, the need is not considered dire, say Circuit Judges David Eddy and Sue Robbins.
“We have excellent judges who do their jobs,” Eddy told Nicki Gorny of the Ocala Star-Banner. As the local administrative judge, he would be in charge of assigning dockets to Marion County’s 11 circuit judges.
A new judge would be helpful, he said.
“I’m sure that every judge in the state recognizes that they could do a better job if they had more time,” Robbins said.
