Case closed: Lester Bass appointed (finally) to 4th Circuit court

Earlier this year, Gov. Rick Scott said he wanted to appoint Duval County Judge Lester Bass to succeed Judge Robert Foster on the 4th Judicial Circuit bench.

On Monday, the outgoing Governor and now Senator-elect got his wish.

Bass’s appointment to the 4th Circuit came after considerable legal wrangling regarding whether Scott had the right to appoint at all.

Jacksonville lawyer David Trotti filed to run for the seat before the qualifying deadline, as an unopposed candidate. The case went ultimately to the Florida Supreme Court.

On Monday, it dismissed the case on jurisdictional grounds.

The 55-year-old Bass, a county judge since 2014, was previously a General Magistrate and Hearing Officer in the circuit, and before that stints as both an assistant public defender and district attorney.

Earlier this year, Scott lauded Bass for his “commitment to his community and to public service. His service on the County Court has reflected the values we should expect from the judiciary: integrity, a tireless work ethic, respect for the rule of law, and an unwavering belief in equal justice under the law.”

Gregory S. Redmon, President of the D.W. Perkins Bar Association, praised the appointment.

“Judge Bass is a very high caliber gentleman of keen intellect, sterling character, uncompromising fairness, and unbounded concern for his fellow man. As he has been in the County Court, the Honorable Lester Bass will be an outstanding member of the Circuit Court. Congratulations Judge Bass!”