Pasco: Judge from Pasco to join appeals court

Judge from Pasco to join appeals court

Praised for his common sense, Craig C. Villanti will leave the circuit court and work in Lakeland.

By CARY DAVIS, Times Staff Writer

NEW PORT RICHEY -- Craig C. Villanti, a Pasco-Pinellas circuit judge known for his common sense, keen intellect and colorful neckties, was appointed Tuesday to the 2nd District Court of Appeal.

Villanti, 50, is the first Pasco judge appointed to the Lakeland-based appeals court.

"I'm just a regular person," said Villanti, sporting one of his trademark cartoon ties as he passed out cigars to a parade of well-wishers in his chambers.

"I've got a common sense, practical approach to the law. . . . It's that kind of diversity that will benefit the appellate court."

Gov. Jeb Bush tapped Villanti from among six finalists, including three other judges and two lawyers. Villanti will fill an opening created by the retirement of the court's chief judge, John R. Blue.

As a trial judge the past 10 years, Villanti presided over dozens of high-profile cases. He is known for moving quickly through hearing calendars, a style he once described as the "New York rhythm."

"He's an excellent, excellent judge," said Mike Halkitis, the chief homicide prosecutor in west Pasco. "Craig is just so down to earth. He's got so much common sense. He's not an archconservative. He's not an archliberal. He's fair, knowledgeable, experienced -- just an excellent choice all the way around."

Villanti, a native New Yorker, graduated from Stetson University College of Law in 1977. He was an accomplished trial attorney before winning election to the bench in 1992. He served briefly as a judge in Pinellas before he was reassigned to the courthouse in New Port Richey.

As an appellate judge, Villanti will have a role in shaping the law in Florida. He'll spend much of his time writing opinions that will be used to guide future trial court decisions.

"I want to write things that the kids in law school can understand," he said. "I don't believe in writing 35 pages when three paragraphs will do."

Craig Laporte, a Pasco civil attorney, said Villanti is perfect for the job.

"He's intellectual, he's thoughtful, he knows the law, and he's very studious," Laporte said. "And Judge Villanti has been in the trenches. That will help broaden the perspective of the appellate court."

Villanti has vigorously pursued the appointment for the past few years. He was a finalist for the court last year, but lost to Charles Canady, the governor's former general counsel.

"This has been a dream of mine for a while," Villanti said. "I want to have a greater impact on a greater number of people."

There are five district courts of appeal in Florida. Created in 1951, they are the workhorses of the appeals process in the state. Together, they review more than 20,000 appealed trial court decisions annually. About 2,000 of those cases are then heard by the Florida Supreme Court.

The 2nd District Court of Appeal has 14 jurists. Seven of the judges sit in the district's Lakeland headquarters and the other seven are in Tampa. The court reviews cases from 13 counties, including Pasco, Pinellas and Hillsborough. The district stretches south to Collier County.

Villanti will serve in Lakeland. His starting date has not been determined.

Appellate judges make $141,963 and face a retention vote every six years in their districts.

Filling Villanti's seat on the circuit bench in west Pasco is expected to take up to six months. A selection committee will take applications, conduct interviews, and then submit a list of finalists to the governor's office.

Villanti's replacement will have big shoes to fill, said Pasco-Pinellas State Attorney Bernie McCabe.

"Craig has been a great judge, and he'll make a great appellate judge," McCabe said. "I think it's about time Pasco had a judge on the 2nd DCA."

-- Cary Davis covers courts in west Pasco County. He can be reached in west Pasco at 869-6236 or toll-free at 1-800-333-7505, ext. 6236. His e-mail address is cbdavis@sptimes.com .