News Releases

FIRST JUDICIAL CIRCUIT JNC ANNOUNCES OKALOOSA COUNTY COURT JUDICIAL VACANCY

Gov. Ron DeSantis has announced a vacancy on the Okaloosa County Court due to the elevation of Judge Jonathan Schlechter. Accordingly, the Judicial Nominating Commission of the First Judicial Circuit is now accepting applications for this vacancy.

Applicants must fulfill the Constitutional qualifications before assuming the office of County Court Judge, which specify that:

1. a) no person shall be eligible for the office of judge of any court unless the person is an elector of the state and resides in the territorial jurisdiction of the court; and
2. b) no person is eligible for the office of county judge unless the person is, and has been for the preceding five years, a member of the bar of Florida.

Applications may be downloaded from the Office of the Governor’s website.

All applicants must submit the following: a .pdf version of the complete unredacted application with attachments, including the executed FDLE form, and a color photograph in .jpg or .gif format; and a .pdf version of a redacted copy of the application excluding all exempt information pursuant to Chapter 119, Florida Statutes. The .pdf files should be titled in the name of the applicant (Doe.John.pdf) and labeled “Redacted” or “Original” as applicable.

Applications must be delivered by email to Zack Smith, Chair, at [email protected] no later than 3:00 p.m. (CDT) on Friday, April 18, 2025. Applications submitted after the deadline will not be considered.

All questions in the application must be fully and completely answered. The submitted application must include the required financial disclosures, a writing sample, and a recent photograph. Applications must also include current contact information, including e-mail addresses, for all judges, co-counsel, opposing counsel, and references to facilitate the background investigation that members of the Commission will conduct.

All proceedings of the Judicial Nominating Commission are open to the public except for deliberations. Accordingly, applicants should not expect their applications to remain confidential. If an applicant is nominated, all materials attached to the original application will be submitted to the Governor’s Office.

Members of the bench, Bar, and the public are encouraged to contact the members of the Commission concerning applicants for judicial positions. Letters of recommendation should be e- mailed or mailed to all commissioners. Recommendations may also be made online.

Visit the Governor’s Judicial Nominations and Applications Info Center for a list members of the First Circuit JNC.

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