Term limits for judges clears state House committee

Term limits will enhance proper role of judiciary, Polk County rep says

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. – Judges on the state's five district appeals courts, as well as the state Supreme Court, would be limited to two six-year terms under legislation approved by a state House committee. Some on the panel said there is an underlying motive for the proposal.

The three states that voted and turned down term limits for appellate judges are Mississippi, Nevada and Colorado.

Recommended Videos



No one has railed more loudly against the state Supreme Court's intervention in the congressional redistricting case than Polk County Rep. John Wood.

"It is a power grab," he said.

Wood is now leading the charge to limit terms for supreme and appellate court judges.

"Term limits will enhance the proper role of the judiciary in our constitutional government," Wood said.

The Florida Bar hasn't taken a position on the idea of limiting judges to two six-year terms -- at least, not yet -- but it did show up at the committee to provide information.

"Term limits is going to significantly increase the turnover of judges on Florida's appellate courts," said Warren Husband, with the Florida Bar.

Rep. Dwight Dudley, himself a lawyer, questioned the motives behind the legislation.

"This is a shot across the bow of our judges," he said. "It's the wrong thing, the wrong message to be sending."

But Wood defended the idea, saying it would not apply to sitting judges, and that it isn't payback for previous court rulings.

"The role of the judiciary is to interpret the Constitution and our statutes and I think that we need people who say, 'That's what I believe in,'" Wood said.

No other state imposes term limits on appellate judges. Three states have tried it, but it failed each time.

To get on the ballot, the legislation would need to clear the House and Senate by a three-fifth's margin. Then, 60 percent of voters would have to agree to put the limits in the Constitution.