Florida Second District Court of Appeal

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Judges of the Florida Second District Court of Appeal

The Florida Second District Court of Appeal is one of six intermediate appellate courts in Florida. The court relocated from Lakeland to St. Petersburg after the Sixth District Court of Appeal was established in 2023.[1][2]

The Second District Court was established through a 1956 amendment to the Florida Constitution, along with the First and Third District courts. The Second District encompasses three circuits: the Sixth, Twelfth, and Thirteenth circuits.[3]

  • Recently published opinions of the Florida Second District Court of Appeal can be found here. Archived opinions dating back to 2001 can be found here.
 
Florida Second District Court of Appeal
Intermediate Appellate Courts Seal-template.png
Court information
Judges:   15
Founded:   1957
Salary:  Associates: $223,318[4]
Judicial selection
Method:   Assisted appointment
Term:   6 years

Judges

Judge Tenure Appointed By

Matthew C. Lucas

December 23, 2014 - Present

Rick Scott

Patricia Kelly

2001 - Present

Jeb Bush

Daniel H. Sleet

December 21, 2012 - Present

Rick Scott

Morris Silberman

January 2, 2001 - Present

Jeb Bush

Anthony K. Black

2010 - Present

Charlie Crist

Craig Villanti

2003 - Present

Jeb Bush

Edward LaRose

2005 - Present

Jeb Bush

Nelly Khouzam

August 1, 2008 - Present

Charlie Crist

Stevan Northcutt

January 6, 1997 - Present

Lawton Chiles

J. Andrew Atkinson

2018 - Present

Rick Scott

Andrea Teves Smith

February 1, 2019 - Present

Rick Scott

Robert J. Morris Jr.

August 1, 2009 - Present

Charlie Crist

Suzanne Labrit

July 29, 2020 - Present

Ron DeSantis

Susan Rothstein-Youakim

2016 - Present

Rick Scott


Former judges

Salary

See also: Florida court salaries and budgets

In 2025, the associate judges of the court received a salary of $223,318, according to the National Center for State Courts.[5]

Judicial selection

See also: Judicial selection in Florida

The justices of the Florida District Courts of Appeal are selected by a nine-member judicial nominating commission.[6] The commission screens potential judicial candidates, submitting a list of three to six nominees to the governor. The governor must appoint a judge from this list.[7]

Newly appointed judges serve for at least one year, after which they appear in a yes-no retention election held during the next general election. If retained, judges serve six-year terms.[7] Under the Florida constitution, a judge must retire at age 75; however, a judge who reaches 75 after serving at least half of his or her term may complete that term.[8]

Qualifications

To serve on one of these courts, a judge must be:

  • a qualified elector;
  • a resident in the jurisdiction of the court;
  • admitted to practice law in the state for 10 years before assuming the bench; and
  • under the age of 75.

Chief justice

The chief justice of the appellate courts is selected by peer vote. He or she serves in that capacity for two years.[7]

Vacancies

See also: How vacancies are filled in state supreme courts

If a midterm vacancy occurs, the seat is filled as it normally would be if the vacancy occurred at the end of a judge's term. A judicial nominating commission recommends three to six qualified candidates to the governor, and the governor selects a successor from that list. The new appointee serves for at least one year before running in a yes-no retention election. If retained, judges serve six-year terms.[7]

Elections

For details about Florida's judicial elections, visit the Florida judicial elections page.

See also: Florida intermediate appellate court elections, 2030

Susan Rothstein-Youakim's seat


There are no official candidates yet for this election.


Anthony Black's seat


There are no official candidates yet for this election.


Edward LaRose's seat


There are no official candidates yet for this election.


See also: Florida intermediate appellate court elections, 2028

Nelly Khouzam's seat


There are no official candidates yet for this election.


Patricia Kelly's seat


There are no official candidates yet for this election.


Stevan Northcutt's seat


There are no official candidates yet for this election.


Craig Villanti's seat


There are no official candidates yet for this election.


Suzanne Labrit's seat


There are no official candidates yet for this election.


Matthew Lucas' seat


There are no official candidates yet for this election.


Robert J. Morris, Jr.'s seat


There are no official candidates yet for this election.


See also: Florida intermediate appellate court elections, 2026

J. Andrew Atkinson's seat


There are no official candidates yet for this election.


Daniel Sleet's seat


There are no official candidates yet for this election.


Anne-Leigh Gaylord Moe's seat


There are no official candidates yet for this election.


Andrea Teves Smith's seat


There are no official candidates yet for this election.


Morris Silberman's seat


There are no official candidates yet for this election.


See also: Florida intermediate appellate court elections, 2024

Susan Rothstein-Youakim's seat

Florida 2nd District Court of Appeal

Susan Rothstein-Youakim was retained to the Florida 2nd District Court of Appeal on November 5, 2024 with 68.7% of the vote.

Retention Vote
%
Votes
✔ Yes
 
68.7
 
1,174,626
No
 
31.3
 
536,249
Total Votes 1,710,875

The results have been certified. Source

Anthony Black's seat

Florida 2nd District Court of Appeal

Anthony K. Black was retained to the Florida 2nd District Court of Appeal on November 5, 2024 with 68.6% of the vote.

Retention Vote
%
Votes
✔ Yes
 
68.6
 
1,182,156
No
 
31.4
 
541,255
Total Votes 1,723,411

The results have been certified. Source

Edward LaRose's seat

Florida 2nd District Court of Appeal

Edward LaRose was retained to the Florida 2nd District Court of Appeal on November 5, 2024 with 69.7% of the vote.

Retention Vote
%
Votes
✔ Yes
 
69.7
 
1,194,435
No
 
30.3
 
519,460
Total Votes 1,713,895

The results have been certified. Source

Darryl Casanueva's seat

General election

The general election scheduled for November 5, 2024, was canceled.

See also: Florida intermediate appellate court elections, 2022

Kelly's seat

Florida 2nd District Court of Appeal

Patricia Kelly was retained to the Florida 2nd District Court of Appeal on November 8, 2022 with 67.4% of the vote.

Retention Vote
%
Votes
✔ Yes
 
67.4
 
1,335,805
No
 
32.6
 
647,481
Total Votes 1,983,286

The results have been certified. Source

Villanti's seat

Florida 2nd District Court of Appeal

Craig Villanti was retained to the Florida 2nd District Court of Appeal on November 8, 2022 with 64.5% of the vote.

Retention Vote
%
Votes
✔ Yes
 
64.5
 
1,254,107
No
 
35.5
 
691,412
Total Votes 1,945,519

The results have been certified. Source

Lucas' seat

Florida 2nd District Court of Appeal

Matthew C. Lucas was retained to the Florida 2nd District Court of Appeal on November 8, 2022 with 67.5% of the vote.

Retention Vote
%
Votes
✔ Yes
 
67.5
 
1,327,235
No
 
32.5
 
638,331
Total Votes 1,965,566

The results have been certified. Source

Labrit's seat

Florida 2nd District Court of Appeal

Suzanne Labrit was retained to the Florida 2nd District Court of Appeal on November 8, 2022 with 67.9% of the vote.

Retention Vote
%
Votes
✔ Yes
 
67.9
 
1,337,664
No
 
32.1
 
633,342
Total Votes 1,971,006

The results have been certified. Source

Stargel's seat

Florida 2nd District Court of Appeal

John K. Stargel was retained to the Florida 2nd District Court of Appeal on November 8, 2022 with 66.3% of the vote.

Retention Vote
%
Votes
✔ Yes
 
66.3
 
1,300,035
No
 
33.7
 
660,124
Total Votes 1,960,159

The results have been certified. Source

Northcutt's seat

Florida 2nd District Court of Appeal

Stevan Northcutt was retained to the Florida 2nd District Court of Appeal on November 8, 2022 with 61.8% of the vote.

Retention Vote
%
Votes
✔ Yes
 
61.8
 
1,211,396
No
 
38.2
 
748,273
Total Votes 1,959,669

The results have been certified. Source

Morris' seat

Florida 2nd District Court of Appeal

Robert J. Morris Jr. was retained to the Florida 2nd District Court of Appeal on November 8, 2022 with 64.6% of the vote.

Retention Vote
%
Votes
✔ Yes
 
64.6
 
1,267,672
No
 
35.4
 
694,126
Total Votes 1,961,798

The results have been certified. Source

Khouzam's seat

Florida 2nd District Court of Appeal

Nelly Khouzam was retained to the Florida 2nd District Court of Appeal on November 8, 2022 with 68.0% of the vote.

Retention Vote
%
Votes
✔ Yes
 
68.0
 
1,339,501
No
 
32.0
 
631,170
Total Votes 1,970,671

The results have been certified. Source

See also: Florida intermediate appellate court elections, 2020

J. Andrew Atkinson's seat

Florida 2nd District Court of Appeal

J. Andrew Atkinson was retained to the Florida 2nd District Court of Appeal on November 3, 2020 with 70.9% of the vote.

Retention Vote
%
Votes
✔ Yes
 
70.9
 
1,946,534
No
 
29.1
 
799,663
Total Votes 2,746,197

The results have been certified. Source

Andrea Teves Smith's seat

Florida 2nd District Court of Appeal

Andrea Teves Smith was retained to the Florida 2nd District Court of Appeal on November 3, 2020 with 75.0% of the vote.

Retention Vote
%
Votes
✔ Yes
 
75.0
 
2,037,361
No
 
25.0
 
679,939
Total Votes 2,717,300

The results have been certified. Source

Daniel H. Sleet's seat

Florida 2nd District Court of Appeal

Daniel H. Sleet was retained to the Florida 2nd District Court of Appeal on November 3, 2020 with 71.0% of the vote.

Retention Vote
%
Votes
✔ Yes
 
71.0
 
1,931,065
No
 
29.0
 
790,608
Total Votes 2,721,673

The results have been certified. Source

Morris Silberman's seat

Florida 2nd District Court of Appeal

Morris Silberman was retained to the Florida 2nd District Court of Appeal on November 3, 2020 with 71.1% of the vote.

Retention Vote
%
Votes
✔ Yes
 
71.1
 
1,940,702
No
 
28.9
 
790,508
Total Votes 2,731,210

The results have been certified. Source

See also: Florida intermediate appellate court elections, 2018

Anthony K. Black's seat

Florida 2nd District Court of Appeal

Anthony K. Black was retained to the Florida 2nd District Court of Appeal on November 6, 2018 with 73.6% of the vote.

Retention Vote
%
Votes
✔ Yes
 
73.6
 
1,480,603
No
 
26.4
 
531,641
Total Votes 2,012,244

The results have been certified. Source

Darryl Casanueva's seat

Florida 2nd District Court of Appeal

Darryl Casanueva was retained to the Florida 2nd District Court of Appeal on November 6, 2018 with 69.9% of the vote.

Retention Vote
%
Votes
✔ Yes
 
69.9
 
1,395,404
No
 
30.1
 
601,185
Total Votes 1,996,589

The results have been certified. Source

Edward LaRose's seat

Florida 2nd District Court of Appeal

Edward LaRose was retained to the Florida 2nd District Court of Appeal on November 6, 2018 with 71.9% of the vote.

Retention Vote
%
Votes
✔ Yes
 
71.9
 
1,433,864
No
 
28.1
 
561,471
Total Votes 1,995,335

The results have been certified. Source

Susan Rothstein-Youakim's seat

Florida 2nd District Court of Appeal

Susan Rothstein-Youakim was retained to the Florida 2nd District Court of Appeal on November 6, 2018 with 72.5% of the vote.

Retention Vote
%
Votes
✔ Yes
 
72.5
 
1,451,934
No
 
27.5
 
549,901
Total Votes 2,001,835

The results have been certified. Source
Previous election results


Ethics

The Code of Judicial Conduct for the State of Florida sets forth ethical guidelines and principles for the conduct of judges and judicial candidates in Florida. It consists of seven canons:

  • Canon 1: "A Judge Shall Uphold the Integrity and Independence of the Judiciary"
  • Canon 2: "A Judge Shall Avoid Impropriety and the Appearance of Impropriety in all of the Judge's Activities"
  • Canon 3: "A Judge Shall Perform the Duties of Judicial Office Impartially and Diligently"
  • Canon 4: "A Judge Is Encouraged to Engage in Activities to Improve the Law, the Legal System, and the Administration of Justice"
  • Canon 5: "A Judge Shall Regulate Extrajudicial Activities to Minimize the Risk of Conflict With Judicial Duties"
  • Canon 6: "Fiscal Matters of a Judge Shall be Conducted in a Manner That Does Not Give the Appearance of Influence or Impropriety; etc."
  • Canon 7: "A Judge or Candidate for Judicial Office Shall Refrain From Inappropriate Political Activity"[9]

The full text of the Code of Judicial Conduct for the State of Florida can be found here.

Removal of judges

Judges in Florida may be removed in one of two ways:


Jurisdiction

There are three circuits and six counties in the Second District.[2]

State profile

Demographic data for Florida
 FloridaU.S.
Total population:20,244,914316,515,021
Land area (sq mi):53,6253,531,905
Race and ethnicity**
White:76%73.6%
Black/African American:16.1%12.6%
Asian:2.6%5.1%
Native American:0.3%0.8%
Pacific Islander:0.1%0.2%
Two or more:2.4%3%
Hispanic/Latino:23.7%17.1%
Education
High school graduation rate:86.9%86.7%
College graduation rate:27.3%29.8%
Income
Median household income:$47,507$53,889
Persons below poverty level:19.8%11.3%
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, "American Community Survey" (5-year estimates 2010-2015)
Click here for more information on the 2020 census and here for more on its impact on the redistricting process in Florida.
**Note: Percentages for race and ethnicity may add up to more than 100 percent because respondents may report more than one race and the Hispanic/Latino ethnicity may be selected in conjunction with any race. Read more about race and ethnicity in the census here.

Presidential voting pattern

See also: Presidential voting trends in Florida

Florida voted Republican in five out of the seven presidential elections between 2000 and 2024.

Pivot Counties (2016)

Ballotpedia identified 206 counties that voted for Donald Trump (R) in 2016 after voting for Barack Obama (D) in 2008 and 2012. Collectively, Trump won these Pivot Counties by more than 580,000 votes. Of these 206 counties, four are located in Florida, accounting for 1.94 percent of the total pivot counties.[11]

Pivot Counties (2020)

In 2020, Ballotpedia re-examined the 206 Pivot Counties to view their voting patterns following that year's presidential election. Ballotpedia defined those won by Trump won as Retained Pivot Counties and those won by Joe Biden (D) as Boomerang Pivot Counties. Nationwide, there were 181 Retained Pivot Counties and 25 Boomerang Pivot Counties. Florida had three Retained Pivot Counties and one Boomerang Pivot County, accounting for 1.66 and 4.00 percent of all Retained and Boomerang Pivot Counties, respsectively.

More Florida coverage on Ballotpedia

See also

Florida Judicial Selection More Courts
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Courts in Florida
Florida Court of Appeals
Florida Supreme Court
Elections: 2025 • 2024 • 2023 • 2022 • 2021 • 2020 • 2019 • 2018 • 2017
Gubernatorial appointments
Judicial selection in Florida
Federal courts
State courts
Local courts

External links

Footnotes

  1. ↑ Florida Second District Court of Appeal, "Judges," accessed March 11, 2015
  2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 Florida Second District Court of Appeal, "History of the Second District Court of Appeal," accessed August 29, 2015
  3. ↑ Florida Courts, "District Courts of Appeal," accessed January 18, 2023
  4. ↑ The salary of the chief judge may be higher than an associate judge.
  5. ↑ National Center for State Courts, "2025 Salaries and Rankings," accessed October 8, 2025
  6. ↑ American Judicature Society, "Methods of Judicial Selection: Florida; Judicial Nominating Commissions," archived January 13, 2012
  7. ↑ 7.0 7.1 7.2 7.3 American Judicature Society, "Methods of Judicial selection: Florida," archived October 2, 2014
  8. ↑ Florida Constitution, "Article V, Section 8," accessed September 10, 2021
  9. ↑ Florida Supreme Court, "Code of Judicial Conduct for the State of Florida," accessed September 13, 2021
  10. ↑ Florida Supreme Court, "Judicial Qualifications Commission Cases Pending in the Florida Supreme Court," accessed July 17, 2023
  11. ↑ The raw data for this study was provided by Dave Leip of Atlas of U.S. Presidential Elections.

Florida courts

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

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