Renatha Francis appointed to Florida Supreme Court

by | Aug 5, 2022



  • Gov. Ron DeSantis on Friday appointed Renatha Francis to the Florida Supreme Court 
  • Francis is set to begin her duties on September 1 
  • DeSantis attempted to appoint Francis in 2020, but a lawsuit over her failure to satisfy the ten-year bar member requirement prevented the measure 

Gov. Ron DeSantis on Friday announced the appointment of Renatha Francis to the Florida Supreme Court. Francis’ appointment fills the vacancy of former Florida Supreme Court Justice Alan Lawson, who announced his retirement in early 2022.

Francis has served as a judge on the 15th Circuit Court since 2019 and previously served as a judge at the Miami-Dade County Court from 2017-2019. Francis also served as an attorney for the First District Court of Appeals in Tallahassee from 2011 to 2017.

“Judge Renatha Francis has an incredible life story that epitomizes the American Dream and proves that those who come to our country have the opportunity to pursue their dreams and, through hard work and the application of their God-given talents, reach the highest heights of whatever field they choose,” said DeSantis. “Her pursuit of a legal career began later in life than most attorneys, yet she has advanced rapidly on her merit to serve as a judge first in Miami-Dade County and then on the 15th Circuit Court. When she takes her place on the Florida Supreme Court, I am confident she will serve our state with distinction.”

When DeSantis attempted to nominate Francis to the same post in 2020, a lawsuit objected that she had not satisfied the criterion of being a member of the Florida Bar for ten years.

As a result of the lawsuit, the position was given to Jamie Grosshans.

“I’m incredibly honored and humbled by Governor DeSantis’ unwavering support for my ascension to the Florida Supreme Court,” said Francis. “I may be taking my seat on the bench two years later than anticipated, but as a student of history, I continue to be in awe of this country’s respect for the rule of law and the freedoms guaranteed in the text of the United States Constitution. As a Supreme Court Justice, I will apply the law as written by the people’s duly-elected representatives, knowing that I am a member of the judiciary in a system with separation of powers.”

Francis’ comment on “applying the law as written by the people’s duly-elected representatives” comes just a day after DeSantis controversially announced that he is taking executive action to suspend Hillsborough County state attorney Andrew Warren. The governor stated that the suspension is due to a “neglect of duty.”

Notably, DeSantis claimed that Warren pledged not to enforce the state’s recently-passed 15-week abortion law, as well as signing letters saying that he would also not enforce laws prohibiting sex changes for minors.

The governor’s press release states that he has the authority under the Florida Constitution to suspend state officials for reasons of misfeasance, malfeasance, or neglect of duty.

State leaders and sheriffs stated Warren repeatedly tried to install himself as an arbiter of what laws will and will not be enforced within his jurisdiction.

“State Attorneys have a duty to prosecute crimes as defined in Florida law, not to pick and choose which laws to enforce based on his personal agenda,” DeSantis said on Thursday. “It is my duty to hold Florida’s elected officials to the highest standards for the people of Florida.”

4 Comments

  1. dolphincritic

    The Sun Sentinel was upset that DeSantis is loading the state supreme court. They didn’t get to the female, immigrant great attorney part until the back page. You would think that everyone would praise this appointment, at least all women and maybe the Island immigrants living here in Florida! NOPE! We are stacking the court!

  2. "Racial Tokenism" rather than MERIT!

    To DOLPHIN CRITIC’s comment – NO not ALL women applaud this Judge! In fact she demeaned many women in Court. Did anyone check the Appeals Court to see how many appeals were filed against her? It looks like the “Bulldog” News is the only Media outlet that reviewed Judge Francis’s May 2022 Supreme Court Application and exposed her for LYING – a Misdemeanor. The BULLDOG paper reports her Application signed under OATH says “NO” when asked if she had any Ethics Complaints. They reported 5 Complaints so far. So we now have a Florida S.C. Judge who lied and should be prosecuted for perjury? It takes ONE BAD APPLE in the barrel to rot the others…

  3. Bouin Frederic

    When you have been in the unfortunate position of experiencing the judicial system with the likes of Judge Francis, you quickly realize we are living in a false democracy, with zero human rights, and zero constitutional rights. A system with a judge who doesn’t allow facts, and disregards any proof presented in a case, because she is manipulated by a bully attorney, and has engaged in the worst kind of Parental Alienation. A system with judges, particularly this judge who has no empathy or regard for a child’s well-being and is basically perpetuating child abuse and legalized kidnapping because she allows a powerful, rogue attorney to get away with extortion, blackmail, and racketeering, and keep a father from having a relationship with his son. That has been the torment and torture for me and my son. I have spent years and lost millions trying to be his father, while her actions have kept us separated, and have him believing I abandoned him. It is cruel to both of us, and at the hands of Judge Francis. This heartless, void of empathy judge has willfully, not only caused this devastating heartbreak to me, but to a child who thinks his dad doesn’t want him. If this judge and attorney weren’t shielded by their titles and positions, they would be arrested as gangsters.
    Yet, my nightmare is not unique to me. Unfortunately, many good fathers are enduring this in many courts around the country. It is an epidemic or pandemic of another kind, and is fostered by similar corrupt and manipulated judges, who have no regard for the devastation and destruction they are causing. When will a politician do the right thing? At what point will everyone say, “enough is enough”! Wake up everybody! This madness has to stop!! Unless there are extenuating circumstances, a child needs a father.

    It is an extremely sad day in the State of Florida, that the Governor chose to elevate someone of this low caliber to its highest court. A person void of integrity and empathy, who is responsible for destroying so many families and lives.

  4. anonymous

    This is a travesty. This is a person who lacks knowledge of the law and is unable to fairly rule by the law. Her appointment is putting the citizens of Florida at risk. She must have connections with DeSantis because she is not qualified to be a high court judge. It feels as if this is a communist state with this appointment.

 

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