HOW DOES THE JUDICIAL NOMINATING PROCESS WORK?
A panel of lawyers and non-lawyer members screens applicants for vacant judgeships and recommends from three nominees to six to the governor for appointment. Twenty-six judicial nominating commissions operate in Florida: one for the Supreme Court of Florida; one for each district court of appeal and one for each of the 20 judicial circuits. Commission members are appointed by the Governor with some input from The Florida Bar. A 1984 constitutional amendment requires that uniform rules of procedure be established by commissions at each court system level and that certain records and proceedings be open to the public.
