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Thomas M. Lynch IV (Florida)
This page is about the judge of the Florida 17th Circuit Court. If you are looking for the U.S. Bankruptcy Court judge for the Northern District of Illinois, see Thomas M. Lynch.
Thomas M. Lynch, IV was a judge of the 17th Judicial Circuit Court, Civil Division, in Florida. He was appointed to the court by former Governor Lawton Chiles on April 6, 1995, and assumed office on January 3, 1996. He replaced retired Judge Paul Marko III.[1][2]
Lynch was re-elected by voters in 2008 and 2014.[3][4][5] He retired from the court in February 2017.[6]
Elections
2014
See also: Florida judicial elections, 2014
Lynch ran for re-election to the Seventeenth Circuit Court.
As an unopposed candidate, he was automatically re-elected without appearing on the ballot.
[4]
Education
Lynch received his B.S. degree from Monmouth University and his J.D. degree from Nova Southeastern University. He was admitted to the bar in 1977.[7]
Career
Lynch served on the Broward County Court from 1984 until his elevation to the 17th Judicial Circuit Court in 1995. From 1990 to 1995, he also served as the administrative judge of the county court.[2]
Noteworthy events
Lynch suspends city ordinance that prevented feeding homeless people
On December 2, 2014, Lynch ordered temporary suspension of a Fort Lauderdale city ordinance that prevented the feeding of homeless people in public places. The ordinance gained national attention due to the arrest of Arnold Abbot, a 90-year-old World War II veteran, who had been feeding the homeless population in the city's parks and beaches for years.[8][9] Abbott was arrested for serving gourmet meals to the homeless in violation of the ordinance which carries with it a $500 fine and 60 days in jail.[10]
The ordinance pitted advocates for the homeless against city officials, business owners, and city residents who were concerned with the growing homeless population occupying public areas. Lynch, in the meantime, imposed a 30-day suspension of the ordinance and ordered the two sides to enter into a mediation. Jack Seiler, mayor of Fort Lauderdale, said he hoped the mediation would prove constructive, stating: “We’ve been trying to find some amicable resolution. We hope that Mr. Abbott meets us half way. We’ve asked him to meet us half way in the past.”[8][9]
See also
External links
Footnotes
- ↑ 17th Judicial Circuit Court, "Circuit Criminal Judges," accessed November 28, 2014
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 Sun Sentinel, "Circuit Judge Named," April 7, 1995
- ↑ Florida Division of Elections, "Tom Lynch," 2008
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 Florida Secretary of State, “Candidate Listing for 2014 General Election,” accessed May 5, 2014
- ↑ Judicial selection in Florida
- ↑ Sun Sentinel, "Two appointed to Broward bench, Judge Marc Gold retires," February 15, 2017
- ↑ Martindale.com, "Thomas M. Lynch IV Judge Profile," accessed November 28, 2014
- ↑ 8.0 8.1 The Sun Sentinel, "Judge tells Fort Lauderdale to stop enforcing homeless feeding law," December 2, 2014
- ↑ 9.0 9.1 The NY Daily News, "Florida Judge suspends city’s homeless feeding ban," December 2, 2014
- ↑ The Huffington Post, "'Chef Arnold,' 90, Cited Again For Feeding Homeless In Florida," November 6, 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
