Justice Renatha Francis: Trailblazing Jurist on the Florida Supreme Court

Justice Renatha Francis: A Comprehensive Overview

Background and Education

Renatha Francis was born in Jamaica and later moved to Florida. She attended the University of the West Indies for her bachelor's degree and graduated from Florida Coastal School of Law in 2010. She is a member of the Federalist Society, a conservative legal organization.

Career History

Before her appointment to the Florida Supreme Court, Renatha Francis served as a judge on the 15th Judicial Circuit Court in Palm Beach County. She was also appointed to judicial positions by former Gov. Rick Scott in the 11th Judicial Circuit. Francis replaced Justice Alan Lawson on the Florida Supreme Court after he resigned in 2022.

Appointment to the Florida Supreme Court

Governor Ron DeSantis initially attempted to appoint Francis to the Florida Supreme Court in 2020, but the Supreme Court ruled that she did not meet the minimum requirement of being a Florida Bar member for 10 years. She was successfully appointed to the bench on September 1, 2022. Her current term ends on January 7, 2025.

Preview

Recent Activities

Justice Renatha Francis is up for a retention vote on November 5, 2024. If retained, she will continue to serve on the Florida Supreme Court for another six years. The retention vote system, in place since the 1970s, allows voters to decide whether to keep a justice on the bench every six years. No justice has ever been removed through this process.

Role and Responsibilities

The Florida Supreme Court is the state's highest court and handles significant cases, including reviewing district court decisions, final orders imposing a death sentence, and certain Public Service Commission orders. The court also provides advisory opinions to the governor or attorney general and decides if proposed constitutional amendments are appropriate for the ballot.

Impact and Influence

Francis is the first justice of Jamaican descent and the second Black female to serve on the Florida Supreme Court. Her tenure has seen her involvement in various high-profile cases, including the decision to allow two constitutional amendments related to recreational marijuana use and abortion protections to appear on the ballot, despite her dissent in both cases.

Conclusion

Renatha Francis's career is marked by her dedication to the judiciary and her historic role as a trailblazer on the Florida Supreme Court. Her upcoming retention vote will determine her continued influence on the state's highest court.