A Guide to Voting in the Florida Supreme Court: Renata Francis, Meredith Sasso

On Election DayFlorida voters will see more than just Vice President Kamala Harris and former President Donald Trump on the ballot. In addition to six constitutional amendmentsvoters will also decide whether to retain two Florida Supreme Court justices.

Two judges Renata Francis And Meredith Sassohave been appointed to the state Supreme Court in the past two years. Under state law, that means they must run to retain their seats in a general election more than a year after their appointment.

To date, no Florida judge has ever lost an election to remain in office. If they retain their seats, Francis and Sasso will each serve six-year terms.

Here’s what you need to know about both judges.

Who is Florida Supreme Court Justice Renata Francis?

Appointed by Governor Rick Scott to the district and circuit courts of the 11th Judicial District of Miami-Dade from 2017-2019.
Appointed by Governor Ron DeSantis to the 15th Judicial District Court in Palm Beach County.
Appointed by DeSantis to the Florida Supreme Court in August 2022.

Before starting her second career as a lawyer, Frances ran a small business while a full-time student in Kingston, Jamaica, where she grew up. She graduated from Florida Coastal School of Law with a Juris Doctor degree in 2010 and clerked for the First District Court of Appeal for more than six years, according to the Florida Supreme Court website.

She then joined Shutts & Bowen, LLP, as counsel in Miami-Dade, where she was a member of the Mass Litigation and Class Action Practice Group, representing large corporate clients.

Judge Francis is the first Jamaican-American to serve on the Florida Supreme Court.

Francis’ appointment to the Florida Supreme Court was notable because she was the only black justice and the only female justice, but it was not without controversy.

Of the 32 applicants, there were seven black candidates, some of whom had decades more experience than Francis. She ended up being the only non-white candidate out of nine final candidates presented to the governor.

In a lawsuit filed against Francis’ appointment, state Rep. Geraldine Thompson, D-Windermere, argued that she was ineligible to be a Supreme Court judge on the grounds that Francis had not been a member of the Florida Bar for 10 years, which is one of the few technical requirements for entry into court, according to Tampa Bay Times.

Others criticized the appointment, pointing to her academic and professional background. While other Florida Supreme Court justices held degrees from the University of Florida, Florida State and Yale, Francis earned his degree from Florida Coast Commercial Law School in Jacksonville.

In terms of experience, other Florida Supreme Court justices had years of experience as lawyers and judges prior to their appointment. Francis’ professional experience included working as a law clerk and as a staff attorney. Previously, she spent approximately seven months at Shutts and Bowden, where she represented insurance companies in personal injury defense cases.

The Tampa Bay Times notes that before becoming a Florida Supreme Court justice, Francis had never tried a case.

Frances’ supporters such as Don James, chairman of the Jamaican American Bar Association, brushed off the criticism, saying her quick rise to the state’s most powerful court was down to her work ethic.

Florida Supreme Court Justice Renata Francis’ voting record

About abortion: Francis voted for the state in April’s Planned Parenthood v. State case, which upheld Florida’s 15-week abortion ban in a 6-1 decision. At the time, Florida was already pushing for an even more limited six-week abortion ban, depending on how the case progressed. Florida’s six-week abortion ban went into effect May 1.

Regarding the executive branch: Twice since last year Francis has joined the majority in rejecting efforts of former state prosecutors To challenge their disqualification of DeSantis of the positions voters chose to occupy. She also advocated limiting the ability of citizens to challenge the governor’s actions in court, according to The Tributary.

On the legalization of weed: Francis and Sasso were the only dissenters to place Amendment 3 on the ballot, which seeks to legalize recreational marijuana for adults.

Who is Florida Supreme Court Justice Meredith Sasso?

Joined the Office of the General Counsel as Principal Deputy to General Counsel Rick Scott in August 2016.
Appointed by Scott to the Fifth District Court of Appeal for Volusia County in January 2019.
Appointed by DeSantis to the Florida Supreme Court in August 2022.

Judge Sasso grew up in Tallahassee. She received her bachelor’s degree from the University of Florida in 2005 and her law degree from the University of Florida in 2008, where she was a member of Judge Campbell Thornal’s Moot Court Board, according to the Florida Supreme Court website.

She began her career in private practice representing clients in general liability large loss, auto negligence, and complex commercial claims in state and federal courts at trial and appellate levels. She has also served as a Guardian ad Litem, representing children who have been abused or neglected.

Florida Supreme Court Justice Meredith Sasso’s voting record

About abortion: Sasso joined the majority court in voting to uphold Florida’s 15-week abortion ban in Planned Parenthood v. State. In April, Sasso, Francis and another judge dissented from a court decision that allowed voters to decide in the general election whether to strengthen the right to abortion in the Florida Constitution

On the legalization of weed: Francis and Sasso were the only dissenters to place Amendment 3 on the ballot, which seeks to legalize recreational marijuana for adults.

Regarding the executive branch: In June, Sasso agreed with other judges that the 2021 riot control law cannot be used against peaceful protesters. She also shared a June opinion piece in which she supported DeSantis suspended Orlando State’s Attorney Monique Worrell.

Florida Supreme Court Justices Renata Francis and Meredith Sasso are members of the Federalist Society.

Like DeSantis, both Francis and Sasso are members of the Federalist Society, a conservative and libertarian legal group that advocates original interpretation of the U.S. Constitution.

According to its website, the group’s founding principles are based on the idea that states exist to preserve freedom and that the separation of governmental powers is central to the U.S. Constitution.

Critics of the group say that the group advocates for judicial activismespecially regarding social issues such as abortion rights.

How long do Florida Supreme Court justices serve?

Under an amendment to the Florida Constitution approved by voters in the 1970s, Florida Supreme Court justices are first appointed to the court by the governor from a list of three to six names submitted by the Judicial Nominating Commission. The governor must choose a new judge from a list.

At the next general election, which will be held more than a year after their appointment, the new judge will face Florida voters on a merit retention ballot.

If the new judge is not supported by voters, the new judge will be appointed by the governor.

Authors: Cheryl McCloud – USA Today Network Florida