Leon Circuit Judge Kevin Carroll dies unexpectedly

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    A man wearing a suit and tie

    Leon Circuit Judge Kevin J. Carroll died unexpectedly on Wednesday. His successor will be appointed by Gov. Ron DeSantis.

    Trial Court Administrator Elizabeth Garber of the Second Judicial Circuit described Carroll as “a public servant of the highest order” who had served as a judge for more than 12 years.

    He was appointed to the bench in 2011 by then-Gov. Rick Scott, then elected in 2014 and re-elected in 2020, both times without opposition.

    Prior to his appointment, Carroll worked as an attorney at the Ausley and McMullen firm.

    According to Florida Supreme Court spokesman Paul Flemming, when a judicial vacancy occurs on a county or circuit court, the governor appoints a successor from a slate offered by the circuit’s judicial nominating commission.