Calling it an increased workload on circuits and county courts, the Florida Supreme Court is recommending the state add 50 new judges.
The state already has over 900 judges, but if approved by the state legislature, there will be 23 added to the circuit court and 25 more for the county courts. In 2023, lawmakers created 9 new judicial petitions.
Besides not having enough judges, the state court said the system is overwhelmed by limited conditions such as insufficient courthouse space and county funding.
The court also points out that more judges in place would benefit the partnership between circuit courts, state attorneys, and public defenders and would make operational impacts more efficient for taxpayers.
“The court system requires some time to establish workload trends using its newly adopted case weights,” said the court.
Most of the recommendations for new judges to be placed in South Florida, Miami Dade, and Palm Beach counties. And in Duval and other North Florida districts.
Some observers said this would give Governor Ron DeSantis too much control over the judicial branch in Florida. Most county judges and circuit court judges are elected, not appointed. If a circumstance arises where there is a mid-term vacancy — for example, if a judge retires, resigns or dies before the end of the judge’s term — the governor fills the position by appointment.
Currently, in Florida, there are 20 circuit courts, with just over 600 judges, and 67 county courts with 324 judges.
Radio legal commentator Lindsey Brock remarked that the news of expanding the number of judges is a welcome development for lawyers and the judicial system. “It’s a win-win,” Brock stated. “This expansion would help the courts manage additional cases and workloads, ultimately reducing the time plaintiffs and defendants have to wait for judges to hear their cases.”
Other judges expressed their approval, noting that this change would help alleviate the negative impacts of the ongoing heavy workload and the strain on judicial resources.
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