Ian Jason Richards (born May 31, 1975) is a former county court judge in the Florida's 17th Judicial Circuit.[2] Richards was the first African-American judge to be elected countywide in Broward County, Florida.[3] He presided over State of Florida v. John Reasee, in which Richards jumped over his bench to protect a witness who was being attacked by the man against whom she had testified.[4]
Early life and career
Richards, the son of a mechanic and registered nurse, grew up in South Florida. He attended Shadowlawn Elementary School in the heart of Liberty City,[5] and later graduated from Miami Norland Senior High School. Richards earned his Bachelor of Accounting degree, in 1999, from Florida International University. In 2002, Richards received a Juris Doctor degree from the University of Miami School of Law. Richards was a member of the UM Law School’s Honor Council.
Richards was defeated in a bid for re-election in 2014,[6] despite his re-election effort being endorsed by major local newspapers.[7]
Richards is married with three children.
Career achievements
- 2002 to 2004 – Assistant State Attorney for the 11th Judicial Circuit
- 2004 to 2008 – private attorney in South Florida
- 2009 to 2014 – elected County Judge for the 17th Judicial Circuit
Richards is a member of the Broward Bar Association, the Florida Bar Association, and Federal Bar Association
References
- ^ "Member Profile – Ian Jason Richards – the Florida Bar".
- ^ 17th Judicial Circuit Court of Florida Website.
- ^ "Courthouse Surprise", Broward Palm Beach New Times(.com) (September 18, 2008).
- ^ "Judge Leaps to Protect Woman in Court", Miami Herald (March 25, 2009); "Judge Vaults Bench to Subdue Courtroom Attacker", Daily Business Review (March 26, 2009); "Fla. Judge Vaults Bench, Helps Subdue Suspect, Makes TMZ", ABA Journal (March 25, 2009); Chad Johnson, "Chad Johnson Judge Also a Tough Guy", Miami Herald (August 23, 2012); "Judge Jumps Over Bench In Courtroom Melee", CBS News (retrieved August 27, 2013); "Judge helps restrain abuser after attack on victim in court Archived 2010-01-05 at the Wayback Machine", 7News WSVN.com (retrieved August 27, 2013); video available here.
- ^ "Tough Liberty City Helped Judge Choose Law", Daily Business Review (May 19, 2014).
- ^ Rafael Olmeda, "Claudia Robinson victor in Broward County Judge race", Sun Sentinel (November 14, 2014).
- ^ "The Herald recommends Ian Richards", Miami Herald (August 4, 2014); "Re-elect Ian Richards, Ellen Feld to County Court", Sun-sentinel (August 13, 2014).
External links
- For Broward bench: Bailey, Richards (Sun-sentinel, October 13, 2014)
- Judges and Council Race Hinge on Name Recognition (South Florida Times, September 18, 2014)
- Judge Ian Richards' Interview with Rodney Baltimore from Hot 105
- Liberty City Upbringing Helped Judge Choose Law (Daily Business Review, May 19, 2014)
- Pines men accused of sex with boy, not revealing HIV status (Sun-Sentinel, January 17, 2013)
- Chad Johnson Judge Also a Tough Guy (Miami Herald, August 23, 2012)
- Judge Leaps to Protect Woman in Court (Miami Herald, March 25, 2009)
- The Herald recommends Ian Richards (Miami Herald, August 4, 2014)
- Re-elect Ian Richards, Ellen Feld to County Court (Sun-sentinel, August 13, 2014)