Ian Richards (judge)

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]

Ian J. Richards
County Court Judge of Florida's 17th Judicial Circuit
In office
January 2009 – January 2015
Personal details
Born
Ian Jason Richards[1]

(1975-05-31) May 31, 1975
Derbyshire, England, United Kingdom
CitizenshipAmerican
British (formerly)
Residence(s)Hollywood, Florida, U.S.
Alma materFlorida International University (B.Acc)
University of Miami School of Law (JD)
Professionattorney, judge

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
  1. "Member Profile – Ian Jason Richards – the Florida Bar".
  2. 17th Judicial Circuit Court of Florida Website.
  3. "Courthouse Surprise", Broward Palm Beach New Times(.com) (September 18, 2008).
  4. "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.
  5. "Tough Liberty City Helped Judge Choose Law", Daily Business Review (May 19, 2014).
  6. Rafael Olmeda, "Claudia Robinson victor in Broward County Judge race", Sun Sentinel (November 14, 2014).
  7. "The Herald recommends Ian Richards", Miami Herald (August 4, 2014); "Re-elect Ian Richards, Ellen Feld to County Court", Sun-sentinel (August 13, 2014).
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