Florida

Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis Selects Miami Judge Robert Luck to State's Supreme Court

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  • The 39-year-old has spent just under two years on the Third District Court of Appeal after being appointed by former Gov. Rick Scott.

For the second time in less than a week, Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis has picked a Miami-Dade judge to serve on the state’s Supreme Court.

During an event in Aventura, DeSantis named Judge Robert Luck as his next selection for the highest court in the state. The 39-year-old has spent just under two years on the Third District Court of Appeal after being appointed by former Gov. Rick Scott.

Before that, Luck spent four years on the Eleventh Judicial Circuit Court and nearly a decade as an attorney that included a five year stint as an assistant U.S. Attorney with the Southern District based in Miami.

Luck said he agreed with DeSantis that courts should not overreach and essentially become legislative bodies that create law. He said his priority would be to adhere closely to the Florida Constitution.

"The Constitution, not the judiciary, is supreme. I have taken an oath to make the Constitution and not the judiciary supreme. I swear to you governor I will keep that oath today, tomorrow, and God willing, for the next 35 years," Luck said.

DeSantis said Luck clearly stood out on the list of 11 finalists for three spots on the Supreme Court that opened when justices reached mandatory retirement age just as the new governor took office last week.

The announcement was held at the Jewish Scheck Hillel Community School, where Luck's children attend and where he went to kindergarten. A large Israeli flag was displayed behind the lectern at the announcement.

"He will be a formidable force on the Florida Supreme Court," DeSantis said. "Everybody loves this guy. Nobody says anything bad. Really across the board people know him, like him and respect him."

Luck, a Miami native, received his bachelor’s degree from the University of Florida before working in Washington D.C. for two Republican senators, eventually returning to earn a law degree from UF in 2004.

Last Wednesday, DeSantis appointed another member of the Third District to fill the first vacancy on the Supreme Court – selecting Hialeah native and Judge Barbara Lagoa as the first Hispanic woman to serve on the high court. DeSantis still must fill one remaining vacancy.

Luck also made headlines in February 2015 when he was attacked by a man inside his courtroom during a hearing, but was not seriously hurt and returned to the bench the next day.

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