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Ian Richards
Ian Richards was a judge of the Broward County Court in Florida. He joined the court in 2008. He was defeated in his bid for re-election in 2014. Richards sought a new term in the court's Group 7 seat but was defeated in the general election on November 8, 2016.
Biography
Richards earned his undergraduate degree from the Florida International University and his J.D. from the University of Miami School of Law. He started his career as a prosecutor with the State Attorney's Office, where he focused on domestic violence, juvenile, and felony cases. He then transitioned into private practice, where stayed until joining the bench in 2008.[1]
Elections
2016
| Broward County Court, Group 7 General Election, 2016 | ||
|---|---|---|
| Candidate | Vote % | Votes |
 Nina Weatherly Di Pietro Incumbent |
51.59% | 292,170 |
| Ian Richards | 48.41% | 274,155 |
| Total Votes | 566,325 | |
| Source: Broward County Supervisor of Elections, "General Election," November 8, 2016 These election results are unofficial and will be updated after official vote totals are made available. | ||
Thirty-nine of Florida's 67 county courts had seats up for election in 2016. Of the 101 seats up for election, 68 saw only one candidate file for the election. The unopposed races were canceled and the sole candidates were automatically elected. Of the 33 opposed races, only 15 saw more than two candidates file. Candidates who received a majority of votes cast in the primary election on August 30, 2016, won the race and did not advance to the general election. Races where no candidate receives 50 percent plus one of the votes cast required a general election on November 8, 2016, between the top two primary vote recipients. Ian Richards and incumbent Nina Weatherly Di Pietro defeated Brenda Di Ioia in the Group 7 primary election for the Broward County Court.[2]
| Broward County Court, Group 7 Primary Election, 2016 | ||
|---|---|---|
| Candidate | Vote % | Votes |
| Ian Richards |
44.58% | 69,994 |
| Nina Weatherly Di Pietro Incumbent |
32.30% | 50,721 |
| Brenda Di Ioia | 23.12% | 36,294 |
| Total Votes | 157,009 | |
| Source: Broward County Supervisor of Elections, "Aug 30th 2016 Primary," September 13, 2016 | ||
2014
See also: Florida judicial elections, 2014
Richards ran for re-election to the Broward County Court.
Primary: He was successful in the primary on August 26, 2014, receiving 43.5 percent of the vote. He competed against Claudia Robinson and Jonathan Kasen.
General: He was defeated in the general election on November 4, 2014, after receiving 49.9 percent of the vote. He competed against Claudia Robinson.
[3][4]
Selection method
- See also: Nonpartisan elections
Like the circuit courts, the Florida County Court selects its judges through nonpartisan elections. County judges serve six-year terms, after which they must run for re-election if they wish to retain their seats.[5][6]
In the event of a midterm vacancy, the county courts employ the same assisted appointment method that the appellate courts use. Judges selected this way serve for at least one year, after which they must run for re-election.[7]
Qualifications
To serve on one of these courts, a judge must be:
- a qualified elector;
- a state resident;
- under the age of 75; and
- admitted to practice law in the state for five years prior to assuming the bench.
Note that this final requirement—that judges be qualified to practice law in the state for at least five years—is the one piece that breaks from the qualifications of Florida appellate judges, who need a minimum of 10 years. In counties of 40,000 people or fewer, this requirement is waived altogether.[5]
See also
External links
Footnotes
- ↑ Re-Elect Judge Ian Richards County Court Judge, "About Judge Ian Richards," accessed July 15, 2014
- ↑ Broward County Supervisor of Elections, "2016 Announced Candidates," accessed July 5, 2016
- ↑ Broward County Supervisor of Elections, "Candidates For 2014 Election Cycle," accessed June 9, 2014
- ↑ Florida Election Night Reporting, "Broward County 2014 Primary Election," August 26, 2014
- ↑ 5.0 5.1 American Judicature Society, "Methods of Judicial Selection: Florida; Limited Jurisdiction Courts," archived October 2, 2014
- ↑ Online Sunshine, "The Florida Constitution," accessed June 25, 2014
- ↑ American Judicature Society, "Methods of Judicial selection: Florida," archived October 2, 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
