Timothy Shea
Timothy Shea is a former judge of the Florida 9th Circuit Court, serving from 2016 to 2020.[1] Shea was re-elected to office in 2018 and resigned from the court on February 29, 2020.[2]
Education
Shea received an undergraduate degree from the University of Central Florida. He was awarded a J.D. from the University of Florida College of Law.[3]
Career
Shea took the bench in 2007, serving first in the Orange County criminal division. He was assigned to the Orange County domestic division in 2011. Prior to his election to the circuit court, Shea worked as a private attorney. He also served as a guardian ad litem and was a member of the Orange County School Board (District 2) from 2002 to 2006.[3][4]
Elections
2018
Nonpartisan primary election
Nonpartisan primary for Florida 9th Circuit Court
Incumbent Timothy Shea won election outright in the primary for Florida 9th Circuit Court on August 28, 2018.
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Selection method
- See also: Nonpartisan elections
There are 597 judges on the Florida Circuit Court, each elected via nonpartisan elections. They serve six-year terms, after which they must run for re-election if they wish to retain their seat.[5]
The chief judge is selected by peer vote and serves in that capacity for two years.
Qualifications
To serve on this court, a judge must be:[5]
- a qualified elector;
- a state resident;
- admitted to practice law in the state for five years; and
- under the age of 75 (retirement at 75 is mandatory).
2012
Shea ran for re-election on Aug. 14, 2012. He defeated Pedro J. Malaret with 67.2% of the vote.[6][7]
- See also: Florida judicial elections, 2012
Public reprimand
In June 2011, Shea was publicly reprimanded by the Florida Supreme Court. The judge admitted he was guilty of judicial misconduct due to his behavior, which included multiple incidents where he demeaned prosecutors in his courtroom.[8][9]
Supreme Court ruling
On October 12, 2011, the Florida Supreme Court ruled that Shea should face a stricter punishment than agreeing to his misbehavior. The high court determined that the judge should be suspended for sixty days without pay, write letters of apology to seven people he mistreated, continue mental health counseling for his temper, and appear before the court for a public reprimand.
Judge Shea was given thirty days to accept or reject the decision.[10]
Rejection of proposal
At the end of the deadline, Judge Shea rejected the proposal outlined by the Supreme Court. The case sent back to the Judicial Qualifications Commission.[11]
Reprimand upheld
In December 2011, the Judicial Qualifications Commission rescinded their initial suggestion of a 60-day unpaid suspension, opting for a public reprimand instead. The ruling stated that "substantial positive efforts (were) voluntarily taken by Judge Shea to remedy his behavior."[12] Additionally, Shea must continue his mental-health therapy and write letters of apology to those he offended. The Supreme Court upheld the decision on March 14, 2013.[12]
External links
- Search Google News for this topic
- Orlando Sentinel, "Judge Shea faces new investigation," July 12, 2011
- Orlando Sentinel, "Florida Supreme Court: We want to suspend Judge Shea for yelling, being a bully," October 25, 2011
Footnotes
- ↑ Bloomberg, "Tim Shea," accessed May 13, 2020
- ↑ Florida Governor, "Judge Timothy R. Shea - Resignation/Retirement," January 23, 2020
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 Ninth Judicial Circuit Court of Florida, "Judge Tim Shea"
- ↑ Ninth Judicial Circuit Court in Florida, "Judicial Investiture - Eight Judges," February 23, 2007
- ↑ 5.0 5.1 American Judicature Society, "Methods of Judicial selection: Florida," archived October 2, 2014
- ↑ Florida 2012 Unofficial Primary Election Results: Circuit Court Judge
- ↑ Florida Division of Elections, "2012 Candidate Listing"
- ↑ Miami Herald, "Fla. judge admits misconduct due to 'Irish temper'," June 1, 2011 (dead link)
- ↑ Orlando Sentinel, "Judge Shea to be reprimanded by Florida Supreme Court for yelling at attorneys," June 1, 2011
- ↑ Orlando Sentinel, "Florida Supreme Court: We want to suspend Judge Shea for yelling, being a bully," October 25, 2011
- ↑ Orlando Sentinel, "Judge Shea to Florida Supreme Court: No, I won't step down for 60 days," November 11, 2011
- ↑ 12.0 12.1 Orlando Sentinel, "Tim Shea: Judge who bullied lawyers will get public reprimand," March 14, 2013
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
