Florida
Concerns Grow Over Judicial Appointment Delays by Governor DeSantis in Florida
A former appellate judge has asked the Florida Supreme Court to order Gov. Ron DeSantis to fill the vacancy opened by his own resignation, which has lingered beyond the 60 days mandated by the Florida Constitution, pointing to a “pattern…
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Key points
- Former judge urges action from Governor DeSantis regarding judicial appointment delays.
- The delay exceeds the constitutional requirement of 60 days for filling judicial vacancies.
- Local residents may face delays in the judicial system due to these ongoing issues.
PENSACOLA, Fla. NewsWK — A former appellate judge is urging the Florida Supreme Court to compel Governor Ron DeSantis to appoint a new judge to fill a vacancy created by his resignation, which has exceeded the 60-day limit set by the Florida Constitution. This request highlights ongoing concerns about delays in judicial appointments that could affect residents across the state, including those in Escambia and Santa Rosa counties.
According to a petition filed by the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) on behalf of Kevin Emas, who resigned from the Third District Court of Appeal on March 31, the governor has not met his legal obligation to fill the vacancy. The petition notes that the Judicial Nominating Commission submitted a list of six candidates to the governor on March 17, establishing a deadline for the appointment by May 18, 2026, following the constitutional requirement.
“The governor’s failure to make an appointment by this date is ongoing,” the petition states. The ACLU emphasizes that the governor’s duty to appoint a judge is both ministerial and mandatory, meaning he is legally bound to do so within the specified timeframe.
Local implications of this delay could impact the judicial system in Northwest Florida, potentially leading to longer wait times for cases to be heard and resolved. The ACLU is seeking a writ of mandamus to prompt the governor to fulfill his duty, arguing that the delay prejudices residents and litigants in the district.
Bacardi Jackson, the executive director of the ACLU of Florida, stated, “This court cannot serve the people of Florida without a full bench. The governor’s refusal to act isn’t just an administrative failure — it’s a constitutional violation that leaves Floridians without the justice system they deserve.” This situation raises concerns about the effectiveness of the judicial system in providing timely justice to citizens in communities such as Pensacola and Milton.
This article was produced with the assistance of AI and reviewed by our editorial team.
Based on reporting originally published by Florida Phoenix. Read the original story.
