Gov. Rick Scott has asked the Fourth Circuit Judicial Nominating Commission for a list of candidates for an opening on the bench that will be created by the retirement of Circuit Judge Fred Tygart.
The commission has been busy, having just sent a list of candidates to Scott to consider for the opening that will be created by the yearend retirement of Circuit Judge Haldane Taylor.
It also will interview candidates Sept. 9 for an opening created by Duval County Judge Kevin Blazs, who was appointed to Circuit Court.
“Judge Tygart helped us out by giving us enough time to find his replacement. It takes some time for the candidates to be interviewed, a list of candidates to be sent to the governor, the governor interviews the candidates, and then, if they are lawyers, they may have to close down their practice,” said Chief Judge Donald Moran.
Tygart notified the circuit that he will be stepping down in June.
Applicants must be able to fulfill the Constitutional qualifications for the seat. They must be residents of Duval, Clay or Nassau counties; registered Florida voters; and members of The Florida Bar for the past five years.
All applications must be delivered by 5 p.m. Sept. 20. The application form can be downloaded from The Florida Bar’s website at www.floridabar.org.
Applicants who have recently submitted an application for the Circuit or County Court seats will not be required to submit new documents.
They can write the chairman to notify the commission that they want to apply for the latest vacancy. Wayne Alford of the Alford Law Group is the chairman of the commission.
Any changes that have occurred since the last application can be addressed in the letter.
Applicants will be notified of the date for interviews.
356-2466