The Seventh Circuit has a pair of new circuit judges and one new county judge, according to an announcement on Monday, Dec. 22, by Gov. Ron DeSantis.
The two circuit positions are new seats created by the legislature this year for the growing 7th Circuit, which covers Volusia, Flagler, St. Johns and Putnam counties.
County judges must serve in their respective county. But circuit judges can serve anywhere in the 7th Circuit.
Katherine Miller promoted to circuit
Judge Katherine Miller, of Daytona Beach, was promoted from the Volusia County bench to a circuit seat. DeSantis initially appointed Miller to the Volusia County bench in 2023. Before that, she worked as an attorney for Wright & Casey P.A.
Miller wrote in an email on Dec. 22 that she anticipates starting her new position on Jan. 5 and is “getting up to speed” on the family docket in Putnam County, which will be her new assignment.
“So much of my career as a civil lawyer and now judge has been in Daytona and Volusia that I know I’m going to miss it, but I’m looking forward to working with everybody in Putnam County,” Miller wrote. “I’m hoping a lot of what I’ve learned as a judge the last two years will carry over, and I’ll be able to hit the ground running.”
Miller also said she was thankful for being chosen.
“I want to say the Seventh Circuit is fortunate the legislature funded these two new circuit judgeships for our area,” Miller wrote. “This was really good news for everybody who needs access to the courts. There were strong applicants for the positions, and I’m deeply honored the Governor selected me.”
Frank Talbot tapped as new circuit judge
Frank Talbot, of St. Johns, who has served as an assistant U.S. Attorney for the Middle District of Florida since 2002, was appointed to the other circuit seat. Before that, he served as an assistant state attorney in the 10th Judicial Circuit, which covers Hardee, Highlands and Polk counties.
Circuit Judge Leah Case, who is the chief judge of the circuit, said Talbot will serve in Volusia County.
Homicide prosecutor going to Putnam County bench
Kenneth Mark Johnson, of Elkton, was appointed to a county judge seat in Putnam County. Johnson has served as an assistant state attorney for the 7th Judicial Circuit since 2009 and prosecutes homicide cases. He fills a seat vacated due to the retirement of Putnam County Judge Elizabeth Morris in November.
Johnson has been involved in the prosecution of a number of cases in the 7th Circuit. Johnson and Assistant State Attorney Jason Lewis earlier this year prosecuted Stephen Monroe. A Flagler County jury took less than 20 minutes to return a guilty verdict of first-degree muder against Monroe in the killing of Noah Smith, a 16-year-old student at Flagler Palm Coast High School.
This article originally appeared on The Daytona Beach News-Journal: Volusia County to get 1 of the 2 new circuit judge appointments
Reporting by Frank Fernandez, Daytona Beach News-Journal / The Daytona Beach News-Journal
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