Scott Cupp
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Scott H. Cupp was a county court judge for the Hendry County Court in Hendry County, Florida. He was appointed to the court by Gov. Rick Scott (R) on November 10, 2014, to fill the vacancy created by the elevation of Judge James D. Sloan to the 20th Circuit Court. Cupp won a full term on the bench in the primary election on August 30, 2016.
Biography
Cupp received his undergraduate degree from Duquesne University and his J.D. degree from the Western New England University School of Law. Before his appointment to the court Cupp maintained his own law practice, The Law Office of Scott H. Cupp, LLC, in West Palm Beach, Florida. He also previously served as an assistant state's attorney in the 20th Judicial Circuit from 2003 to 2006 and from 1993 to 1999.[1][2]
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. Incumbent Scott Cupp defeated Daniel Paige in the Group 1 primary election for the Hendry County Court.[3]
| Hendry County Court, Group 1 Primary Election, 2016 | ||
|---|---|---|
| Candidate | Vote % | Votes |
 Scott Cupp Incumbent |
67.75% | 3,065 |
| Daniel Paige | 32.25% | 1,459 |
| Total Votes | 4,524 | |
| Source: Hendry County Supervisor of Elections, "2016 Primary," September 1, 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.[4][5]
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.[6]
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.[4]
See also
External links
Footnotes
- ↑ Tampa Bay.com, "Movers & Shakers," November 10, 2014
- ↑ Martindale.com, "Scott H. Cupp - Lawyer Profile," accessed November 13, 2014
- ↑ Hendry County Supervisor of Elections, "2016 Hendry County Candidates," accessed July 5, 2016
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 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
