Two more judgeships have opened up in Florida’s 19th Circuit, bringing the total vacancies on the bench of state courts serving our area to four so far this year.
Judges in the 19th Circuit rotate among Indian River, St. Lucie, Martin and Okeechobee counties, as assigned by the circuit’s Chief Judge Charles “Tony” Schwab. Assignments typically shift every three to four years.
Judge Lawrence Mirman, appointed by former Gov. Jeb Bush in 2005, became the latest to retire after 20 years on the bench, plus 16 years as an assistant state attorney. Mirman’s docket included a portion of St. Lucie County’s felony criminal cases and Mental Health Court in Fort Pierce, and recently, Martin County jury trials. Mirman made headlines earlier this year for cracking down on no-show jurors in Martin County with contempt notices and fines.
An additional judicial seat was added to our circuit this spring by the Florida Legislature to help handle the growing Treasure Coast caseload.
“The new judge will be assigned to St. Lucie County for a civil docket,” the Indian River County Clerk of Court said on Friday.
According to Adam Schwartz, who chairs the 19th Circuit Judicial Nominating Committee, “Applications for this Nineteenth Circuit Court vacancy must be received no later than the deadline of 5:00 p.m. Eastern on Friday, October 3,” with a tentative in-person interview date of Oct. 20 at the Martin County Courthouse.
The first of the four openings this year followed the resignation of Judge Janet Croom, who stepped down for family reasons. Vero Beach resident and former Assistant U.S. Attorney Michael Porter was appointed to succeed Croom and handle civil cases in St. Lucie County.
Gov. Ron DeSantis has yet to appoint a judge to fill this year’s second vacancy. An appointment is expected sometime in the next two weeks.
Six nominees were certified to DeSantis on Aug. 8 to fill the seat vacated by Judge Brett Waronicki after his arrest on DUI and possession of drug paraphernalia charges in May.
Waronicki handled St. Lucie County civil jury trials, drug court and protection orders.
“The last vacancy should be filled within 60 days of when we sent the certified list to the Governor’s office. That vacancy has not been filled yet,” said 19th Judicial Circuit Nominating Committee Chair Adam Schwartz.
Four lawyers who live in or have practiced in Vero Beach residents are on that short list – Robert Stone Jr., Jeffrey P. Battista, Steven R. Wilson and Jonathan Libby – along with Kate Bradford and Katherine Mish.
Those nominees not chosen to fill Waronicki’s seat will likely apply for the additional two open seats, going through the interview process before the selection committee again, but the prospect of two more open seats could attract new or return applicants not certified in August.
