Choose Luis Garcia was solely 37 years previous when then-Gov. Jeb Bush appointed him to the sixteenth Judicial Circuit Courtroom in Florida. The 12 months was 2000; Garcia continued to be re-elected time period after time period, distinguishing himself as one of many longest-sitting judges within the Florida Keys.
However after 24 years on the bench, Garcia is placing down his gavel. On June 3, 2024, Garcia wrote a letter to Gov. Ron DeSantis, informing him of his intention to retire.
“It’s time,” stated the now-61-year-old Garcia of his determination to retire on the finish of November.
The Chicago native and graduate of Northeastern College of Legislation in Boston began out as a prosecutor in Miami in 1989 and rapidly rose via the ranks, ultimately being tapped to grow to be a decide in Monroe County.
“I’ve been principally working for the state of Florida as a prosecutor or a decide since 1989,
and it’s a very long time,” stated Garcia. “I’m prepared for a brand new stage in life, to spend extra time with my household. I’ve grandkids now.”
Garcia and his spouse of 30 years have two younger granddaughters; one is 2 years previous and the opposite simply an toddler. The couple plans to journey and spend time with their 4 grown kids and grandchildren who stay up north, from Tennessee to the Vermont space.
Garcia joked that his retirement could also be an adjustment for his spouse as properly.
“She’s joyful, however most likely a bit of apprehensive that I’m going to drive her loopy,” he stated with amusing.
Garcia presided over hundreds of circumstances throughout his greater than 20 years on the bench in Monroe County and alongside the best way, modified the lives of those that appeared earlier than him.
He was instrumental in serving to a former addict get her life collectively. She didn’t need us to make use of her identify for this story, however stated she is grateful for Garcia’s powerful love strategy that helped her get clear, and keep clear.
“I struggled for a few years, primarily with habit points, and he was all the time very sympathetic, powerful, however honest.
“He could not notice it, however the choices he’s made, not only for me, however I’m certain for tons of, possibly hundreds of different individuals throughout his 24 years, saved lives.”
Garcia’s seat on the Plantation Key Courthouse was distinctive, presiding over a variety of circumstances from household legislation, to civil circumstances of every kind, juvenile circumstances, felony felonies, drug courtroom, probate, guardianship, psychological well being, injunctions; he noticed all of it.

“All of them persist with you,” stated Garcia.
Monroe County Public Defender Robert Lockwood described Garcia as honest and neutral with nice persistence to listen to from all sides.
“He has compassion and empathy for these showing earlier than him. He has a deep understanding of the problems with psychological well being and substance abuse that plagues so lots of our purchasers,” stated Lockwood.
“His work ethic, temperament and demeanor has made him a task mannequin to the attorneys of my workplace and the Monroe County authorized group as an entire. He leaves an indelible legacy and will probably be significantly missed,” added Lockwood.
In addition to spending extra time along with his household, Garcia plans to do mediation work in household legislation and civil circumstances. He can even assist out in circuit courtroom as wanted.
“I’m not going to be fully gone. Each time they want me I can are available and deal with just a few days or a pair circumstances, regardless of the circuit wants,” stated Garcia.
Tons of attended a retirement occasion held for Garcia on Nov. 2 at Whale Harbor, together with his many co-workers, whom he refers to as household.
“I feel I’m going to overlook the individuals I work with as a result of actually, they do all of the heavy lifting, my JA (judicial assistant), the case managers, the clerk of the courts, the courtroom deputies, we actually are sort of a group. They’re sort of like my Plantation Key Courthouse household and I’m going to overlook them.”
As for the Keys group as an entire, Choose Garcia had this to say:
“The one factor I’d wish to say to the group is it’s been my honor to serve them and from day one they’ve made me really feel at residence. I contemplate the Keys my residence and I’ll miss them.”
On Oct. 18, DeSantis’ workplace requested County Legal professional Bob Shillinger convene the sixteenth Judicial Circuit Judicial Nominating Fee to pick out and submit names of highly-qualified attorneys to the governor for appointment. A letter from the governor’s workplace stated he’d like a minimum of six names to select from. Nov. 8 was the deadline for candidates to declare their curiosity.
Among the many attorneys are Donald Barrett, Jack Bridges, Joe Mansfield, Monroe County Choose James Morgan and Alexandria Suarez. They’ll endure interviews on Dec. 16 on the Marathon Council Chambers. The fee has till Dec. 17 to submit names to DeSantis’ workplace.