Ricky Polston
Encyclopedia
Ricky L. Polston is a Justice of the Florida Supreme Court
. He is a graduate of Florida State University College of Law
.
, and graduated from Graceville High School in 1973 as valedictorian
. He received an A.A. from Chipola College
in 1975, and a B.S., summa cum laude, from Florida State University
in 1977. In 1986, he received his J.D.
with High Honors from the Florida State University College of Law
. Polston is married to children's book author Deborah Ehler Polston. They have ten children, including six whom they have adopted.
Polston has been a certified public accountant
since 1978 and worked as a public accountant from 1977-1984. After becoming an attorney, Polston was in private practice from 1987-2000. Governor Jeb Bush
appointed him a judge of the First District Court of Appeal of Florida on January 2, 2001, where he served until his appointment to the Florida Supreme Court. During his service on the Court of Appeals, Polston heard over 6,000 appellate cases. Since 2003, Polston has also worked as an adjunct professor at Florida State University College of Law, teaching the Florida Constitutional Law class there for several years.
appointed Polston to the Florida Supreme Court on October 1, 2008 to replace Justice Kenneth B. Bell
, who resigned that day to return to private practice. Polston was sworn in the next day. He was the second of Crist's four appointments to the Florida Supreme Court.
Florida Supreme Court
The Supreme Court of the State of Florida is the highest court in the U.S. state of Florida. The Supreme Court consists of seven judges: the Chief Justice and six Justices who are appointed by the Governor to 6-year terms and remain in office if retained in a general election near the end of each...
. He is a graduate of Florida State University College of Law
Florida State University College of Law
Florida State University College of Law is the law school of Florida State University in Tallahassee. The law school's highly accomplished and accessible law faculty delivers a program that has an interdisciplinary orientation designed to produce well-rounded and effective lawyers.The law school...
.
Background
Polston was raised in Graceville, FloridaGraceville, Florida
Graceville is a city in Jackson County, Florida, United States. The population was 2,402 at the 2000 census. As of 2004, the population recorded by the U.S...
, and graduated from Graceville High School in 1973 as valedictorian
Valedictorian
Valedictorian is an academic title conferred upon the student who delivers the closing or farewell statement at a graduation ceremony. Usually, the valedictorian is the highest ranked student among those graduating from an educational institution...
. He received an A.A. from Chipola College
Chipola College
Chipola College is a state college located in Marianna, Florida, USA. Chipola College is a member institution of the Florida College System.The College was named for the Chipola River, which is located less than a mile from the campus...
in 1975, and a B.S., summa cum laude, from Florida State University
Florida State University
The Florida State University is a space-grant and sea-grant public university located in Tallahassee, Florida, United States. It is a comprehensive doctoral research university with medical programs and significant research activity as determined by the Carnegie Foundation...
in 1977. In 1986, he received his J.D.
Juris Doctor
Juris Doctor is a professional doctorate and first professional graduate degree in law.The degree was first awarded by Harvard University in the United States in the late 19th century and was created as a modern version of the old European doctor of law degree Juris Doctor (see etymology and...
with High Honors from the Florida State University College of Law
Florida State University College of Law
Florida State University College of Law is the law school of Florida State University in Tallahassee. The law school's highly accomplished and accessible law faculty delivers a program that has an interdisciplinary orientation designed to produce well-rounded and effective lawyers.The law school...
. Polston is married to children's book author Deborah Ehler Polston. They have ten children, including six whom they have adopted.
Polston has been a certified public accountant
Certified Public Accountant
Certified Public Accountant is the statutory title of qualified accountants in the United States who have passed the Uniform Certified Public Accountant Examination and have met additional state education and experience requirements for certification as a CPA...
since 1978 and worked as a public accountant from 1977-1984. After becoming an attorney, Polston was in private practice from 1987-2000. Governor Jeb Bush
Jeb Bush
John Ellis "Jeb" Bush is an American politician who served as the 43rd Governor of Florida from 1999 to 2007. He is a prominent member of the Bush family: the second son of former President George H. W. Bush and former First Lady Barbara Bush; the younger brother of former President George W...
appointed him a judge of the First District Court of Appeal of Florida on January 2, 2001, where he served until his appointment to the Florida Supreme Court. During his service on the Court of Appeals, Polston heard over 6,000 appellate cases. Since 2003, Polston has also worked as an adjunct professor at Florida State University College of Law, teaching the Florida Constitutional Law class there for several years.
Supreme Court appointment
Governor Charlie CristCharlie Crist
Charles Joseph "Charlie" Crist, Jr. is an American politician who was the 44th Governor of Florida. Prior to his election as governor, Crist previously served as Florida State Senator, Education Commissioner, and Attorney General...
appointed Polston to the Florida Supreme Court on October 1, 2008 to replace Justice Kenneth B. Bell
Kenneth B. Bell
Kenneth B. Bell is a former Associate Justice of the Florida Supreme Court.- Education :Bell attended Davidson College in Davidson, North Carolina as an undergraduate, and received his Juris Doctor from the Florida State University College of Law in 1982.- Career :Commencing from 1982 and for...
, who resigned that day to return to private practice. Polston was sworn in the next day. He was the second of Crist's four appointments to the Florida Supreme Court.
External links
- Florida Supreme Court Profile
- Hafenbrack, Josh, "Crist names Ricky Polston to Florida Supreme Court," Orlando Sentinel, October 1, 2008.
- Flemming, Paul, "Gov. Crist names Panhandle native to state high court," Pensacola News Journal, October 1, 2008.
- Liberto, Jennifer, "Polston to join state Supreme Court," St. Petersburg Times, October 2, 2008.