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Steve Leifman
Steve Leifman was a judge of the Miami-Dade County Court in Florida. He left office on January 7, 2025.
Leifman ran for re-election for judge of the Miami-Dade County Court in Florida. He won in the general election on November 6, 2018.
Biography
Education
Leifman received his B.S. degree (Political Science) from The American University in 1981 and his J.D. degree from the Florida State University College of Law in 1986.[1][2]
Career
Leifman began his career working as a law clerk in 1984 and 1986. After he graduated from law school and was admitted to the bar in 1987, he became an Assistant Public Defender. He worked in that capacity until 1995, becoming a Special Assistant Public Defender and Acting Chief of the County Court Division. He first served on the County Court from 1995 to 1997. Then, after a brief stint as a sole practitioner in civil litigation, he returned to the court in 1998.[1][2]
Elections
2018
General election
General election for Miami-Dade County Court
Incumbent Steve Leifman won election in the general election for Miami-Dade County Court on November 6, 2018.
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| ✔ |  | Steve Leifman (Nonpartisan) |
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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
Leifman was unopposed and was automatically re-elected following the Nov. 6, 2012 general election.[6]
- See also: Florida judicial elections, 2012
See also
External links
Footnotes
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 Eleventh Judicial Circuit of Florida, "Steve Leifman biography"
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 Law Diary: Biographies of State and County Court Judges in Florida Scroll to p.71
- ↑ 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
- ↑ Miami-Dade County Supervisor of Elections: 2012 Candidates
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
