VOLUSIA EXPOSED

The Florida Constitution allows for gubernatorial judicial appointments, should a judicial opening occur between scheduled elections. However, as covered within , government officials are known to to ensure a gubernatorial appointment, over a judicial election.

In our OPINION, this manipulation of the Florida Constitution causes a de facto disenfranchisement of the local electorate, in their democratic selection of their judges.

Yes, an argument can be made by those that support these gubernatorial appointments, that these appointed judges must face re-election by that very same disenfranchised electorate (the public). However, only on rare occasions, does a seated judge face a challenger for the judicial seat. After all, to run for judge, one must be an attorney, and these very same attorneys, are having their current cases heard in front of this already seated judge.

Political Patronage
At It's Worst

However, once in a blue moon, an attorney will run an election campaign against a seated judge. In 2016, local Volusia County attorney, Kathy McNeilly ran against the then recently appointed Judge David Hood. Prior to his judicial appointment, Judge Hood had faithfully serviced the governor's office for several years as the chairperson for the 5th District Court of Appeal's (DCA) Judicial Nominating Commission (JNC).

In our OPINION, of assisting in the political "manipulations" of judicial appointments, by appointing Hood as a circuit court judge within the Seventh Judicial Circuit.

McNeilly quickly became the "fly" in the "political patronage ointment".

As covered within , Judge Hood actually filed a lawsuit, in an attempt to end McNeilly's political campaign against his judicial seat. But, as was covered within our , Hood was unsuccessful in his attempt.

McNeilly went on to win the judicial election, and .

Here is the "kicker" - Hood had already been diagnosed with brain cancer prior to his judicial appointment. How do we know this? During our coverage of the 5th DCA JNC, Hood would openly speak about it to other JNC commissioners. Further, this medical condition would have been required to be revealed within his JNC application for the gubernatorial appointment.

Hood's May 1, 2014
JNC Interview

So, apparently, former Governor Rick Scott was of the belief, that Florida's Seventh Judicial Circuit would be best served with the appointment of a judge suffering from brain cancer. Well, thank God for the likes of Kathy McNeilly !

McNeilly also interviewed for this , the JNC did NOT select her for inclusion to the short list (six nominees) that was forwarded to the governor's office.

In securing her judicial credentials, McNeilly took the road less traveled, she got herself elected by the people...and that has made all the difference.....

.......I shall be telling this with a sigh Somewhere ages and ages hence: Two roads diverged in a wood, and I— I took the one less traveled by, And that has made all the difference. ~ Poet Robert Frost, "The Road Not Taken" ----------

Other VolusiaExposed.Com Articles Of Similar Interest

September 18, 2017
Is The Judicial Qualifications Commission Process Too Secretive?

November 8, 2017
JQC - Hiding Judicial Misconduct From The Public
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Our Other CONCERNS & OPINIONS Regarding Some Recent Judicial Appointments

In 2016, .

By 2018, and as covered within our , Judge Naberhaus desired a gubernatorial appointment to the Circuit Court bench. Naberhaus had one particular problem that haunted her - her appearance at a 2018 political rally for Governor Rick Scott's run for U.S. Senator.

As detailed within our , judges are from attending political party functions.

While Governor Scott did NOT appoint Judge Naberhaus to the circuit court bench prior to him moving to the U.S. Senate..., Governor Ron DeSantis was able to complete Scott's political patronage, with his recent appointment of Judge Naberhaus to the circuit court bench (OUR OPINION).

While Governor Scott was unable to personally fulfill his patronage commitment to Judge Naberhaus, Scott was able to throw some political patronage towards his former deputy chief counsel, Michelle Sasso, with her last minute judicial appointment to the 5th District Court of Appeal. We invite you to read our and determine for yourself whether Judge Michelle Sasso was anywhere near the best candidate for this crucial judicial appointment?

And now, with just over a year in, as a judge on the 5th District Court Of Appeal, Judge Meredith Sasso is now on the "short list" to fill a vacancy on the Florida Supreme Court (FSC). Sasso never served as a county court judge, or a circuit court judge - she went directly from being former Governor Scott's deputy chief counsel, to her appointment to the 5th DCA - and now she could soon be appointed to the Florida Supreme Court (FSC) prior to her 35th birthday. We invite you - you will find no wise old men or women among these nominees. And so CURRENTLY goes judicial appointments within the State of Florida.

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WHAT OTHERS ARE SAYING

Slate.Com

April 1, 2020
Ron DeSantis May Illegally Appoint a Florida Supreme Court Justice

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Our Viewpoint
The Folly Of Political Patronage Within Judicial Appointments

It is folly to believe that ANY of have the best interests of most Floridians in mind, as they select judicial nominees.

In reality, political patronage appears to be the driving force behind the selection of judicial nominees, and in the end, judicial appointments.

Many of us already realize that there is little truth to be found in politics. Now with political patronage being the driving force in judicial appointments, we shall quickly become aware of why there is neither truth, or justice within our "justice system"...so much for .."with liberty and justice for all"....

"I pledge allegiance to the Flag of the United States of America, and to the Republic for which it stands, one Nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all."

The staff at VolusiaExposed.Com wishes the nominees the best of luck in the "selection process". We will notify our readers of Governor DeSantis' choice, when that information becomes available. If you are so inclined, email the governor's office, and his support staff with your suggestions and input regarding the nominees. Until then, stand by to stand by ..... there is surely more to come of this circus......

VIDEOS OF THE 18th JNC NOMINEES INTERVIEWS TAKEN
ON APRIL 9, 2020 HAVE BEEN PROVIDED BELOW.