Florida's Supreme Court building
TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (Legal Newsline) - Florida Gov. Charlie Crist can choose the next two state Supreme Court justices from a field of eight that was chosen Thursday.
The state's Supreme Court Nominating Commission narrowed a field of 50 as it gave its recommendations to replace retiring justices Raoul Cantero and Kenneth Bell. Seven of the eight are lower court judges.
Bell's replacement must come from a district in northern Florida. Three candidates apply:
-Ricky Polston, 52, First District Court of Appeals;
-Peter Webster, 59, First District Court of Appeals; and
-Waddell Wallace, 55, Fourth Judicial Circuit.
The other five nominees are:
-Kevin Emas, 50, 11th Judicial Circuit;
-Jorge Labarga, 55, 15th Judicial Circuit;
-Vincent Torpy, 52, Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals;
-Charles Canady, 54, Second District Court of Appeals; and
-Edward Guedes, 44, Miami attorney.
Canady is also a former Congressman. Bell's resignation is effective Oct. 1, while Cantero's is Sept. 6.
From Legal Newsline: Reach John O'Brien by e-mail at john@legalnewsline.com.