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Fla. Supreme Court Justice Perry Forced To Retire

The Florida Supreme Court building in Tallahassee. Under a measure (HJR 1) approved by a House panel today, Sunshine States residents would vote on a 12-year term limit for all Supreme Court justices and appeals court judges. (Mark Goebel/Creative Commons)
The Florida Supreme Court building in Tallahassee. Under a measure (HJR 1) approved by a House panel today, Sunshine States residents would vote on a 12-year term limit for all Supreme Court justices and appeals court judges. (Mark Goebel/Creative Commons)

TALLAHASSEE — Florida Supreme Court Justice James Perry is stepping down from his post because he has reached the mandatory retirement age.

Perry sent a letter to Gov. Rick Scott on Friday telling him that he would leave the court on Dec. 30. Perry was appointed by then-Gov. Charlie Crist to the state Supreme Court in 2009. He was the fourth black justice appointed to the court.

Florida law requires that justices retire once they turn 70, although they can serve out their term if their birthday falls in the last three years of their six-year term. Perry is 72.

Perry's departure gives Scott a chance to alter the makeup of the Supreme Court, which has angered Republican legislators with some of its decisions. Scott will appoint a successor from a list given to him by a nominating commission.

The Associated Press is a wire service to which WUFT News subscribes.