The First District Court of Appeal of Florida will convene at the Okaloosa Courthouse Annex in Fort Walton Beach on Wednesday, May 15, 2024, to hear oral arguments on two local cases.
- The three-judge panel, led by Chief Judge Timothy Osterhaus, includes Judge Lori Rowe, a Niceville High School graduate, and Judge Robert Long.
Judge Rowe assumed office on September 15, 2009. Her current term ends on January 2, 2029. She ran for re-election for judge of the Florida 1st District Court of Appeal. She won in the retention election on November 8, 2022.
The panel, headquartered in Tallahassee, periodically travels to each judicial circuit once a year, alternating between counties within the circuit. The First Judicial Circuit encompasses Escambia, Santa Rosa, Okaloosa, and Walton Counties.
On Tuesday night, judges from each county and lawyers from Okaloosa County gathered to welcome the appellate judges, clerks, staff, and marshal.
During the welcome event, First Judicial Circuit Chief Judge John Miller was honored with the annual Judge T. Patt Maney Service award, recognizing his leadership during the Covid pandemic and last year’s ransomware attack.
- Former Okaloosa County Judge and current Representative Patt Maney was present to congratulate Chief Judge Miller on his achievement.
The oral arguments scheduled for Wednesday will provide an opportunity for the appellate court to hear and consider the merits of the two local cases.
