London Kite appointed to the Duval County Court

On June 17, 2020, Governor Ron DeSantis announced the appointment of London Kite to the Duval County Court. Kite, of Jacksonville, has been an Assistant State Attorney for the Fourth Circuit since 2003. She has served for ten years as an Adjunct Professor at the Florida Coastal School of Law. She received her bachelor’s degree […]

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County Court Judge Jennifer J. Frydrychowicz appointed to First Judicial Circuit

On Wednesday, June 10, 2020, Governor Ron DeSantis announced the appointment of Jennifer J. Frydrychowicz to the First Judicial Circuit. Frydrychowicz, of Pensacola, has been an Escambia County Judge since 2014. She previously served as an Assistant State Attorney in the First Circuit. She received her bachelor’s degree from the University of Florida and her […]

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Jacqueline Steele appointed to Manatee County Court

On June 10, 2020, Gov. Ron DeSantis appointed Jacqueline Steele to the Manatee County Court. Steele, of Bradenton, is an attorney at McConnaughhay, Coonrod, Pope, Weaver & Stern, P.A. She previously served as an assistant public defender in the 13th Judicial Circuit. She received her bachelor’s degree from the University of South Florida and her […]

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Chief Justice extends date to resume jury trials and amends other pandemic jury procedures

On Monday, June 8, Chief Justice Canady extended the suspension of jury trials through July 17 and amended other pandemic jury procedures in a new memorandum and two amended orders. Memorandum: Phase 2 – Resumption of In-Person Proceedings In re: Comprehensive COVID-19 Emergency Measures for the Florida State Courts, Fla. Admin. Order No. AOSC20-23, Amendment […]

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Leon County Court Judge Layne Smith appointed to Second Judicial Circuit

On June 5, 2020, Gov. Ron DeSantis has appointed Judge Layne Smith to Florida’s Second Circuit Court as another long time judge gets ready to retire. Judge Smith was raised in the capital city and has been a Leon County judge since 2015. He previously served as the General Counsel for the Department of Lottery […]

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Ask Judge Smith: Affirmative defenses and a bozo contract no-no

Read Judge Smith’s recent Ask Judge Smith column Affirmative defenses and a bozo contract no-no. Judge Layne Smith is a Leon County Court Judge who often speaks and writes about civics, the law, and the administration of justice. Source: Tallahassee Democrat