Florida Legislature 2005 (click for ongoing coverage)

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Odds look good for additional judges

The state Senate approves a bill adding one county judge and at least one jurist to the circuit bench. The House has yet to act.

By COLLEEN JENKINS
Published May 6, 2005

The stars appear aligned for Pasco County to get its first new judges in three years.

On Wednesday, the state Senate passed a bill (Senate Bill 2048) that would add one county judgeship and at least another circuit spot on the Pasco bench by January. On Thursday, the bill awaited House approval.

If the governor signs the legislation, it will end a three-year dry spell during which the Florida Supreme Court requested multiple new judges and received none.

The difference this time around?

"We have money this year," said Sen. Victor Crist, a Tampa Republican who sponsored the bill.

The Senate bill funds 55 additional circuit and county judgeships statewide, all of whom would be appointed. It includes three circuit judges for the 6th Judicial Circuit, which includes Pinellas and Pasco counties. One judge would take office in November, the other two in January.

Circuit Judge David Demers, the 6th Circuit's chief judge, has not decided where the new judges would be placed. But his spokesman Ron Stuart said Pasco would almost be guaranteed at least one.

"It's still his strong inclination that that judge in November would go into Pasco County," Stuart said.

Stuart said Demers will meet with fellow judges to determine which side of the county the judge would sit in. The same decision needs to be made for the new county judge, who would take office in January.

The Supreme Court had requested five new 6th Circuit judges and two new county judges for Pasco.

Circuit Judge W. Lowell Bray, who presides in New Port Richey, was disappointed to hear the Senate failed to approve the total request. But Bray, who serves as the county's administrative judge while also handling County Court appeals and two civil divisions, said any relief is appreciated.

"I am delighted that we're getting some new judges because we are critically in need," he said.

The new county judge likely would sit in New Port Richey, allowing County Judge William Sestak to preside full time in Dade City instead of splitting his week, Bray said.

West Pasco has the most need for an additional circuit judge, he said. But Bray also would love to see a second new circuit judge implement a drug court on both sides of the county.

[Last modified May 6, 2005, 00:38:16]