Ricky L. Polston (born November 24, 1955) is an American lawyer who served as a justice of the Florida Supreme Court from 2008 to 2023. He served as the chief justice of the court from July 2012 to June 2014.[1] He is a graduate of Florida State University College of Law.
Ricky Polston | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Chief Justice of the Florida Supreme Court | |
| In office July 1, 2012 – June 30, 2014 | |
| Preceded by | Charles T. Canady |
| Succeeded by | Jorge Labarga |
| Justice of the Supreme Court of Florida | |
| In office October 2, 2008 – March 31, 2023 | |
| Appointed by | Charlie Crist |
| Preceded by | Kenneth B. Bell |
| Succeeded by | Meredith Sasso |
| Personal details | |
| Born | November 24, 1955 Dothan, Alabama, U.S. |
| Spouse | Deborah Polston |
| Residence | Tallahassee, Florida |
| Alma mater | Florida State University (BS, JD) |
Background
editPolston was raised in Graceville, Florida, and graduated from Graceville High School in 1973 as valedictorian. He received an Associate of Arts from Chipola College in 1975, and a Bachelor of Science, summa cum laude, from Florida State University in 1977. In 1986, he received his Juris Doctor with high honors from the Florida State University College of Law.
Polston is married to children's book author Deborah Ehler Polston. They have ten children, including six whom they have adopted. Described as an "active Christian" by the Miami Herald in 2013, Polston wrote of himself, “I am a product and reflection of Florida. My children are racially diverse, which gives me a better appreciation of different cultures and how they react to each other. In short, I am not isolated as a judge.”[2]
Polston has been a certified public accountant since 1978 and worked as a public accountant from 1977 to 1984. After becoming an attorney, Polston was in private practice from 1987 to 2000. Governor Jeb Bush appointed him a judge of the First District Court of Appeal of Florida on January 2, 2001, where he served until his appointment to the Florida Supreme Court. During his service on the court of appeals, Polston heard over 6,000 appellate cases.[3] Since 2003, Polston has also worked as an adjunct professor at Florida State University College of Law, teaching the Florida Constitutional Law class there for several years.[citation needed]
Supreme Court appointment
editGovernor Charlie Crist appointed Polston to the Florida Supreme Court on October 1, 2008 to replace Kenneth B. Bell, who resigned that day to return to private practice. Polston was sworn in the next day. He was the second of Crist's four appointments to the Florida Supreme Court.
Polston was elected unanimously to serve as Florida's 55th Chief Justice of the Florida Supreme Court, starting July 1, 2012. Polston, who served a two-year term in the office, is the first Florida State Law alumni to be selected as chief justice.[citation needed]
On March 20, 2023, Polston announced his resignation, effective March 31, 2023.[4] Ron DeSantis thanked Polston on Twitter remarking: "Justice Polston has been a remarkable Justice and was stalwart for the rule of law and the constitution" [5]
References
edit- ^ "Chronology of the Chief Justices of Florida" (PDF). The Office of Public Information, State of Florida. June 30, 2012. Retrieved November 15, 2010.
- ^ Bousquet, Steve (May 28, 2013). "Florida Chief Justice Ricky Polston ends practice of congratulating new Eagle Scouts". Miami Herald. Retrieved September 26, 2019.
- ^ The Florida Bar News, "Polston Joins the Court", October 15, 2008, p. 1.
- ^ "Justice Ricky Polston resigns from Florida Supreme Court after 14 years". Miami Herald. March 20, 2023. Retrieved March 22, 2023.
- ^ "Ron Desantis on Twitter". March 20, 2023. Retrieved March 22, 2023.
External links
edit
- Florida Supreme Court Profile
- Hafenbrack, Josh, "Crist names Ricky Polston to Florida Supreme Court," Orlando Sentinel, October 1, 2008.
- Flemming, Paul, "Gov. Crist names Panhandle native to state high court," Pensacola News Journal, October 1, 2008.
- Liberto, Jennifer, "Polston to join state Supreme Court," St. Petersburg Times, October 2, 2008.