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Beth Harlan
Beth Harlan was a judge of the Tenth Judicial Circuit Court in Florida. She was appointed to this position by former Governor Charlie Crist on May 24, 2010, to replace Judge Dick Prince. Harlan retired from the court in 2014.[1][2]
Biography
Harlan was born in Winter Haven, Florida. She received her undergraduate degree from the University of Florida in 1978 and her J.D. from the University of Florida College of Law in 1981.[3][4] She died on April 22, 2017, from cancer complications.[5]
Below is a summary of Harlan's professional experience:
- 2010-2014: Judge, Tenth Judicial Circuit Court
- 2006-2010: Judge, Polk County Court
- 1998-2006: Attorney in private practice
- 1985-1998: Assistant Polk County attorney
- 1983-1985: Assistant attorney general in Lakeland, Fla.
- Law clerk, 2nd District Court of Appeal[1][3][4]
Elections
2012
- See also: Florida judicial elections, 2012
Harlan was unopposed and automatically re-elected to the circuit court following the primary election on August 14, 2012.[6]
Noteworthy events
Judge arrested on charges of grand theft and fraud (2013)
Harlan was arrested on September 13, 2013 for allegedly falsifying time sheets for her former judicial assistant, Alisha Rupp. Rupp was fired on July 10, 2013. After she was terminated, Rupp accused Polk County Judge Susan Flood's bailiff, James "Bubba" Maxcy of sexual harassment. She also alleged she was fired on July 10, 2013, because she complained about the harassment and a hostile work environment. According to Polk County Chief Judge Bruce Smith, Rupp was fired for filing false timesheets for hours she never worked. Rupp's time sheets were signed by Harlan.[7] The Florida State's Attorney's Office charged Harlan with grand theft and fraud, felony charges under Florida law, each punishable by up to five years in prison.[8]
Retirement
In exchange for prosecutors dropping criminal charges against her, Harlan announced her retirement in March 2014. She retained her license to practice law.[9]
External links
- Florida's 10th Judicial Circuit: Circuit Court Judges
- The Ledger.com, "Judge Beth Harlan, No. 2," April 28, 2008
Footnotes
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 AmercianTowns.com: Florida Governor, "Governor Crist Appoints Harlan, Hofstad And Durden To The 10th Judicial Circuit Court," May 26, 2010
- ↑ TheLedger.com, "Accused Polk County Circuit Judge 'Voluntarily Suspended'; Will Continue to Be Paid," September 17, 2013
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 Florida's 10th Judicial Circuit Court, "Judge Beth Harlan"
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 Lawdiary.com, "Biographies of State and County Court Judges in Florida," accessed May 7, 2014. Scroll to p.58
- ↑ The Ledger, "Retired Judge Beth Harlan dies at 58," April 22, 2017
- ↑ Florida Division of Elections, "2012 Candidate Listing"
- ↑ The Ledger.com, "Polk Judge Arrested, Charged With Grand Theft," September 13, 2013
- ↑ Orlando Sentinel, "Polk County judge, assistant accused of falsifying time sheets," September 14, 2013
- ↑ TheLedger.com, "Polk County Circuit Judge Harlan Retires, Prosecutors Drop Charge," March 26, 2014
Federal courts:
Eleventh Circuit Court of Appeals • U.S. District Court: Middle District of Florida, Northern District of Florida, Southern District of Florida • U.S. Bankruptcy Court: Middle District of Florida, Northern District of Florida, Southern District of Florida
State courts:
Florida Supreme Court • Florida District Courts of Appeal • Florida Circuit Court • Florida County Court
State resources:
Courts in Florida • Florida judicial elections • Judicial selection in Florida
