Chief Judge Belvin Perry, Jr. has received many titles in his life - all of which are important to him. With respect to his recent title, “Chair of the Florida Conference of Circuit Judges,” he stated, “It is

County Judge C. Jeffery Arnold and Chief Judge Belvin Perry, Jr.

honor and privilege to represent the men and women who compose the Circuit Court Judges of this state. This position represents every Circuit Judge from Pensacola to Key West. It is humbling to be elected by my peers to represent them and I am honored that they have confidence in me as a leader.”

Judge Perry who was elected Chair of the Conference by his peers at the annual business meeting for a one year term is the first African American Judge to receive the prestigious title and only the second Ninth Judicial Circuit Court Judge to hold the position. Supreme Court Justice Parker Lee McDonald held the position from October 1974 to October 1975.

The Florida Conference of Circuit Court Judges was formed in 1937 by Florida Statute 26.55. The Chair of the Conference is responsible for calling all meetings and appointing committees to enact the purposes of the Conference. “The Conference makes recommendations regarding laws and court processes and interfaces with the Florida Supreme Court and the legislature,” stated Judge Perry.

Justice Wells (right) swears in Chief Judge Perry (left) as Chair of the Conference of Circuit Judges

When asked what his goals are as the ConferenceChair, Judge Perry, stated, “The main issue will be the implementation of Revision 7 (referring to the amendments to Article V of the Florida Constitution concerning the funding of the judicial branch of government which passed in November 1998 under general election) and its impact on the Courts.” Judge Perry further stated, “As Chair of the Conference I will work to ensure that the judicial branch of government works closes with the legislature to ensure that we maintain Florida as a premier court system in the country.” Judge Perry added that he will work to ensure that the “progressive and positive role of the Conference” is maintained.

Judge Perry, who is always quick to recognize the innovative, hard-working Judges who serve on the bench in the Ninth Judicial Circuit, noted that he is excited about the Ninth Circuit taking a leadership role on statewide issues. “This signals, for the Ninth Circuit, a new frontier of statewide leaders, such as Judge Jeffery Arnold as President-Elect of the Florida Conference of County Judges; Judge Robert Evans as Co-Chair of the Legislative Committee for the Florida Conference of Circuit Judges and Judge Alice Blackwell White as Chair of the Performance and Accountability Committee for the Florida Supreme Court and Chair of the Family Court Section of the Florida Conference of Circuit Court Judges.

Judge Perry has served as a Judge in the Ninth Judicial Circuit since 1989. He served as Chief Judge from July 1, 1995 - June 30, 1999 and was elected Chief Judge again for the term July 1, 2001 - June 30, 2003. Judge Perry received his Juris Doctor from Thurgood Marshall School of Law, a Master’s Degree in Education from Tuskegee University and a Bachelor of Science in History also from Tuskegee University.

C. Jeffery Arnold: President-Elect of the Conference of County Court Judges and Recipient of the Harvey Ford Leadership Award

The plaque reads, “C. Jeffery Arnold. For your dedicated service to your community, the legal profession and this conference.” It was signed, “Conference of County Court Judges, Jeffrey J. Colbath, President, July 2002.” The reason for the award is Judge C. Jeffery Arnold is this year’s recipient of the Harvey Ford Leadership Award.

Judge Arnold was nominated by Judge Thomas R. Kirkland for his contributions to the community for two programs Judge Arnold was instrumental in establishing - - An Afternoon at the Courthouse and Collection Court and for the work on many judicial committees that he sits on or chairs. An Afternoon at the Courthouse is a seminar designed to provide helpful hints for area attorneys as they practice before Judges of the Ninth Judicial Circuit. Collection Court, which Judge Arnold runs, is designed to collect fines and costs that are imposed in the criminal justice system. The impact that Collection Court has had is significant. Prior to Collection Court, people sentenced for crimes, ignored, for the most part the fines, court costs and court-ordered restitution. It is now collected. The Harvey Ford Leadership Award was given to him by Chief Judge Belvin Perry, Jr. at the Conference of County Court Judges summer education meeting.

Judge Arnold’s accomplishments certainly do not stop there. He is the President-Elect of the Conference of County Court Judges, a distinction no other Orange or Osceola County Judge has ever received. The Conference is the organization that speaks on behalf of the County Judges and represents the County Judges at the Supreme Court and the legislature.

“You can make a difference when you step forward,” stated Judge Arnold when asked why he is so active in the legal community. Judge Arnold who stated that he was honored to be elected to such a meaningful role, added, “The next two years are critical to the court system and it is important that we muster all our talents to ensure that the Court is able to maintain the high quality of legal service to the people.”

Judge Arnold received his Juris Doctor from Florida State University College of Law and his Bachelor of Arts degree from the College of William and Mary. Judge Perry has served on the County Court bench since 1995 and has served in all divisions of County Court.

As for hobbies, Judge Arnold enjoys golf, but quipped, “My doctor keeps telling Judge Perry that I need more greens in my diet.”

Judge Arnold and Chief Judge Perry are truly leading the way. The Ninth Judicial Circuit is honored to have these two dedicated men in leadership roles.