County Court Judge Bradley Harper held a question and answer session recently with students from South Tech Academy. During his session with the students, Judge Harper explained the day-to-day functions of the Judicial System. Pictured below is Judge Harper with the students.

75 is the new mandatory retirement age for judges
Amendment 6 included changing the mandatory retirement for judges and is effective July 1. Read Bar President Michelle Suskauer’s comments in this article of The Florida Bar News. Source: The Florida Bar

Do You Want to Serve on a Florida Bar Committee?
The annual committee preference form for Bar members seeking appointments for the term of President-elect John M. Stewart is available at floridabar.org and are due no later than January 15, 2019. President-elect Stewart will make about 500 appointments to over 70 committees and he wants to make sure he has a diverse group of lawyers […]
WATCH: Florida Commission on Access to Civil Justice 12/14/18 Meeting
The video for the December 14, 2018 meeting of the Florida Commission on Access to Civil Justice is available for viewing at this link. Source: The Florida Channel
Ask Judge Smith: Merry Christmas from the Leon County Jail
Leon County Court Judge Layne Smith is writing a series of columns in the Tallahassee Democrat to help the public answer common questions about the court process such as civics, history, the constitution, criminal law, civil law, and legal procedure. Read his recent column Merry Christmas from the Leon County Jail. Source: Tallahassee Democrat
David E. Stamey, Jr. is appointed to the Polk County Court
On December 13, 2018, Governor Rick Scott appointed David E. Stamey, Jr. to the Polk County Court. Stamey, Jr., 48, of Winter Haven, is an Assistant State Attorney of the 10th Circuit State Attorney’s Office. He received his bachelor’s degree from the University of Florida and his law degree from Stetson University. Stamey, Jr. fills […]
Cary F. Rada is appointed to the Lake County Court
On December 13, 2018, Governor Rick Scott appointed Cary F. Rada to the Lake County Court. Rada, 50, of Eustis, is president of Cary Rada P.A. He received his bachelor’s degree from Florida Atlantic University and his law degree from Stetson University. Rada fills the vacancy created by the elevation of Judge James Baxley. Source: […]
Ask Judge Smith: Republic or democracy?
Leon County Court Judge Layne Smith is writing a series of columns in the Tallahassee Democrat to help the public answer common questions about the court process such as civics, history, the constitution, criminal law, civil law, and legal procedure. Read his recent column “Republic or democracy? Future lawyer wants to know what’s best“. Source: […]
County Court Judge Robert G. Fegers presides over “mock trial” for fifth grade students
On October 11, 2018, a “mock trial”/field trip was held at the Polk County Courthouse for Lakeland Christian School fifth-grade students. County Court Judge Robert G. Fegers was the presiding judge as the Mock Trial Team students “tried” the case of State of Florida v. The Big Bad Wolf. The wolf was found “not guilty.” […]