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Lorraine Kelly
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2031
Lorraine Kelly is a judge of the Pinellas County Court in Florida. Her current term ends on January 7, 2031.
Kelly won re-election for judge of the Pinellas County Court in Florida outright in the general election on November 5, 2024, after the primary and general election were canceled.
Biography
Education
Kelly earned her J.D. from Florida State University College of Law.[1]
Career
Kelly was admitted to the Florida Bar in 1993.[2] Before serving on the Pinellas County Court, she worked for the Public Defender's Office in Pinellas County.[1]
Elections
2024
See also: Municipal elections in Pinellas County, Florida (2024)
General election
The general election was canceled. Lorraine Kelly (Nonpartisan) won without appearing on the ballot.
Endorsements
Ballotpedia did not identify endorsements for Kelly in this election.
2018
General election
The general election was canceled. Lorraine Kelly (Nonpartisan) won without appearing on the ballot.
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.[3][4]
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.[5]
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.[3]
2012
Kelly was unopposed and automatically re-elected following the Nov. 6, 2012 general election.[6][7]
- See also: Florida judicial elections, 2012
Campaign themes
2024
Ballotpedia survey responses
See also: Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection
Lorraine Kelly did not complete Ballotpedia's 2024 Candidate Connection survey.
See also
2024 Elections
External links
Footnotes
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 St. Petersburg Times, "Veteran trial lawyers state cases to voters," August 23, 2006
- ↑ Martindale.com, "Judge Profile: Lorraine Maureen Kelly"
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 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
- ↑ Pinellas County Supervisor of Elections: 2012 candidates
- ↑ Florida judicial elections, 2012 - County Court
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
