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Nirlaine Tallandier Smartt
Nirlaine Tallandier Smartt was a judge for the St. Lucie County Court in Florida. She was appointed by Governor Rick Scott (R) on June 18, 2015. Smartt sought a full term in the seat but was defeated in the primary election on August 30, 2016.
Biography
Smartt received a bachelor's degree from the State University of New York College at Oswego and a J.D. from Vanderbilt University.[1]
Career
- 2015-2016: Judge, St. Lucie County Court
- 2009-2015: Assistant state attorney, Nineteenth Circuit
- 1996-1998: Attorney, Tallandier-Smartt & Everett-Jones, P.A.
- 1995-1996: Attorney, Butler, Burnette & Pappas
- 1993-1995: Assistant state attorney, Thirteenth Circuit[1]
Elections
2016
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. Ed Alonzo defeated incumbent Nirlaine Tallandier Smartt in the Group 3 primary election for the St. Lucie County Court.[2]
| St. Lucie County Court, Group 3 Primary Election, 2016 | ||
|---|---|---|
| Candidate | Vote % | Votes |
 Ed Alonzo |
54.33% | 23,416 |
| Nirlaine Tallandier Smartt Incumbent | 45.67% | 19,680 |
| Total Votes | 43,096 | |
| Source: St. Lucie County Supervisor of Elections, "2016 Primary," September 14, 2016 | ||
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]
See also
External links
Footnotes
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 Office of Florida Governor Rick Scott, "Governor Scott Appoints Nirlaine Tallandier Smartt to the St. Lucie County Court," June 18, 2015
- ↑ St. Lucie County Supervisor of Elections, "Reporting group (Election/Committees) : General 2016 (11/8/2016)," accessed July 5, 2016
- ↑ 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
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
