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To Begin Reshaping High Court, Crist Must Focus On Commitment

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The Tampa Tribune

Published: July 31, 2008

In the next few months Gov. Charlie Crist will do something that political observers say no other Florida chief executive has done in so short a time - reshape the state's highest court by appointing a new majority on the seven-member panel.

Crist, who took office in 2007, will have the chance to establish a lasting legacy, so he must do his due diligence. His selections to replace four justices who either are resigning for personal reasons or facing mandatory retirement should be based upon qualifications, not politics or charming personalities.

The process already has met one deadline. Last week a total of 50 lawyers and judges across the state, including four circuit court jurists from Tampa, applied to succeed Justices Raoul Cantero and Kenneth Bell. It's an impressive number considering some in the legal community worry that the annual salary of $161,000 and required relocation to Tallahassee would be deterrents to potential candidates, especially younger ones.

Crist should not focus exclusively on replacing Cantero and Bell, conservative justices, with candidates of the same philosophy. Other more critical questions must be asked. Among them is whether the candidates understand the job requires personal sacrifice and that family dynamics will be put to the test.

Both Cantero and Bell, the court's youngest members at 47 and 52, respectively, are stepping down for family reasons after short stints. This should be a concern for Crist and others who want to attract - and retain - qualified state justices. Cantero and Bell were appointed by then-Gov. Jeb Bush in 2002.

Cantero, who is from Miami, was obviously torn between Tallahassee and South Florida, where many of his relatives still live. The family is very close, and the justice and his immediate family have missed that support, which is understandable.

Bell also has cited family concerns in saying he needs to "return full-time to Pensacola."

Being a state Supreme Court justice is a powerful and prestigious job. It is also an incredibly important one. Interpreting state laws and the constitution and ensuring justice is achieved are weighty responsibilities.

The job requires the utmost dedication, and if those interested in the posts can't pledge that, they shouldn't have applied. And neither should those who are concerned about salary. Serving on the state Supreme Court should not be about money.

The Supreme Court Nominating Commission will interview candidates and recommend at least three names to Crist for each of the first two vacancies, and the same process will be used to help determine who replaces Justices Charles Wells and Harry Lee Anstead, who must step down early next year when they turn 70, the mandatory retirement age. The process should give Crist invaluable guidance.

While the governor can hardly be expected to ignore the candidates' political outlook, qualifications and dedication should be the overriding factors. To continue the court's tradition of exemplary jurisprudence, the new justices need to possess an unwavering commitment to the law and to serving the public.

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