John K. Stargel
John K. Stargel
District: Circuit Judge
Comments
Article
By JASON GEARY
THE LEDGER
John K. Stargel tied for the No. 24 spot among 28 circuit judges, according to results of The Ledger's biennial survey of local lawyers.
His overall rating was 6.73 out of 10 - a tie with Circuit Judge John F. Laurent, who like Stargel is a former state lawmaker turned jurist.
In 2006, Stargel switched from a re-election campaign for the state House to run for a spot on the circuit bench.
The election was contentious and even spawned an unsuccessful lawsuit that sought to disqualify Stargel as a judicial candidate because he rolled his legislative money over into his judicial campaign.
Stargel said he wasn't surprised by the survey's results given that he is a former Republican legislator and his wife, Kelli, is a current Republican in the Florida House of Representatives.
"I am not surprised some people may not give me high marks," he said.
Stargel said he strives to follow the law and run an efficient and orderly courtroom.
"I am pleased to hear that I am improving in the eyes of the attorneys," he said.
His ratings for every category increased when compared to the results of the 2008 survey.
His overall rating back then was 6.33, which garnered him the 23rd spot.
This year, his strongest category was professional conduct where he earned 7.23. His lowest was legal ability that was rated 6.36.
Lawyers' written criticisms ranged from "quick tempered" and "too much ego" to "not enough legal experience."
"Demonstrates his lack of litigation experience daily," wrote one person. "Belongs in politics, not on bench."
But others praised Stargel for being a quick learner who is making strides as a new judge.
"Fine man," one person wrote. "Very considerate and thorough. Takes his job seriously and not afraid of tough decisions."
"Nobody was sure how he would make decisions or his legal knowledge because of his lack of experience as a lawyer," another wrote. "However, he has shown that he is thoughtful, professional and dedicated."
Stargel earned his law degree from Florida State University College of Law in 1991.
His past legal career included serving in private practice as well as assistant general counsel for W.S. Badcock Corp.
Stargel, 45, and his wife have five children. They live in Lakeland.
| 2010 Overall | Legal Ability | Communication Ability | Written Decisions | Professional Conduct |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 6.73 | 6.36 | 6.79 | 6.55 | 7.23 |
Comments
Simply awful judge.
I must admit I knew nothing about John when he was elected judge. Nobody was sure how he would make decisions or his legal knowledge because of his lack of experience as a lawyer. However, he has shown that he is thoughtful, professional, and dedicated,
Fine man. Very considerate and thorough. Takes his job seriously and not afraid of tough decisions.
Quick tempered - needs to learn to withhold ruling when temperament is outside an acceptable judicial one.
Actually a very good judge.
Young judge doing good
He is learning. But he is coming along.
Becoming an excellent judge.
Has learned quickly; very thoughtful and fair to both sides; calm and authoritative.
A pleasant surprise to the bench. He is fair, but tough. Communicates well.
Very slow getting orders out.
Rules based upon political reasoning.
Written opinions are very thorough. Evidentiary rulings are fair.
Completely unrealistic and doesn't belong in criminal court.
He is doing a very good job for a new judge. He has potential to be excellent.
Very dignified.
"A" for effort; "D" for ability.
Not enough legal experience and too much ego.
More worried about being appealed than actually making a decision. Is learning to take control of his courtroom.
Shows that politics trumps competence when judicial appointments are considered. His position is a sad commentary on the judiciary.
Demonstrates his lack of litigation experience daily. Belongs in politics, not on bench.
Has come a long way since becoming a judge. Has a way to go yet.
Should have found another line of work.
Should go back to politics.
Conscientious but often has own "political" or "idealogical" agenda. Distant.
Great potential. Has done a great job going outside his comfort zone and into Criminal Division.
I must admit I knew nothing about John when he was elected judge. Nobody was sure how he would make decisions or his legal knowledge because of his lack of experience as a lawyer. However, he has shown that he is thoughtful, professional, and dedicated,
Fine man. Very considerate and thorough. Takes his job seriously and not afraid of tough decisions.
Quick tempered - needs to learn to withhold ruling when temperament is outside an acceptable judicial one.
Actually a very good judge.
Young judge doing good
He is learning. But he is coming along.
Becoming an excellent judge.
Has learned quickly; very thoughtful and fair to both sides; calm and authoritative.
A pleasant surprise to the bench. He is fair, but tough. Communicates well.
Very slow getting orders out.
Rules based upon political reasoning.
Written opinions are very thorough. Evidentiary rulings are fair.
Completely unrealistic and doesn't belong in criminal court.
He is doing a very good job for a new judge. He has potential to be excellent.
Very dignified.
"A" for effort; "D" for ability.
Not enough legal experience and too much ego.
More worried about being appealed than actually making a decision. Is learning to take control of his courtroom.
Shows that politics trumps competence when judicial appointments are considered. His position is a sad commentary on the judiciary.
Demonstrates his lack of litigation experience daily. Belongs in politics, not on bench.
Has come a long way since becoming a judge. Has a way to go yet.
Should have found another line of work.
Should go back to politics.
Conscientious but often has own "political" or "idealogical" agenda. Distant.
Great potential. Has done a great job going outside his comfort zone and into Criminal Division.
Article
By JASON GEARY
THE LEDGER
John K. Stargel tied for the No. 24 spot among 28 circuit judges, according to results of The Ledger's biennial survey of local lawyers.
His overall rating was 6.73 out of 10 - a tie with Circuit Judge John F. Laurent, who like Stargel is a former state lawmaker turned jurist.
In 2006, Stargel switched from a re-election campaign for the state House to run for a spot on the circuit bench.
The election was contentious and even spawned an unsuccessful lawsuit that sought to disqualify Stargel as a judicial candidate because he rolled his legislative money over into his judicial campaign.
Stargel said he wasn't surprised by the survey's results given that he is a former Republican legislator and his wife, Kelli, is a current Republican in the Florida House of Representatives.
"I am not surprised some people may not give me high marks," he said.
Stargel said he strives to follow the law and run an efficient and orderly courtroom.
"I am pleased to hear that I am improving in the eyes of the attorneys," he said.
His ratings for every category increased when compared to the results of the 2008 survey.
His overall rating back then was 6.33, which garnered him the 23rd spot.
This year, his strongest category was professional conduct where he earned 7.23. His lowest was legal ability that was rated 6.36.
Lawyers' written criticisms ranged from "quick tempered" and "too much ego" to "not enough legal experience."
"Demonstrates his lack of litigation experience daily," wrote one person. "Belongs in politics, not on bench."
But others praised Stargel for being a quick learner who is making strides as a new judge.
"Fine man," one person wrote. "Very considerate and thorough. Takes his job seriously and not afraid of tough decisions."
"Nobody was sure how he would make decisions or his legal knowledge because of his lack of experience as a lawyer," another wrote. "However, he has shown that he is thoughtful, professional and dedicated."
Stargel earned his law degree from Florida State University College of Law in 1991.
His past legal career included serving in private practice as well as assistant general counsel for W.S. Badcock Corp.
Stargel, 45, and his wife have five children. They live in Lakeland.
District: Circuit Judge
Comments
Article
By DIANE LACEY ALLEN
The Ledger
John K. Stargel, one of four new circuit judges, ranked 23rd among the 25 judges.
The former state lawmaker received an overall average of 6.33 in the survey, with his highest score, 6.79, in professional conduct and his lowest, 6.04, in written decisions.
Stargel, 43, whose young face could classify him as the Donnie Osmond of local judges, received his share of positive remarks.
"Surprised at how well he is doing, tries very hard," wrote one lawyer. "Works hard, studies the issues, gives everyone a fair chance."
Others poked at his lack of experience with remarks such as "has no idea about the real world," "Confidence exceeds his competence'' and "Smug, pompous, makes law from the bench, disregards established law .<0x200A>.<0x200A>. condescending to parties and attorneys."
Stargel took the negative comments in stride, chalking up some to his short tenure on the bench and the heated feelings that sprouted from his judicial race.
"It's not surprising, given a couple of things," Stargel said. "One, my prior life as an elected official and the fact that I had a contested election and a number of attorneys were active in the support of my opponent."
"I work for the people. My job is to follow the law and be thorough and efficient," said Stargel.
In the 2006 election, he defeated Nathaniel White. White sued over Stargel's using money that was originally earmarked for his legislative campaign. Stargel was in the middle of a re-election campaign for the state House when the bench position opened up. He rolled his legislative money over to his judicial campaign.
A judge threw out sections of the suit and the issue eventually went away.
Stargel grew up in Tampa. He received his bachelor's degree from the University of Tampa in 1987 and his law degree from the Florida State University College of Law in 1991. He was in private practive before his election and was assistant general counsel for W.S. Badcock Corp. from 1992 to 2000.
His term expires in 2012.
Stargel and his wife, Kelli, have five children.
| 2008 Overall | Legal Ability | Communication Ability | Written Decisions | Professional Conduct |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 6.33 | 6.02 | 6.49 | 6.04 | 6.79 |
Comments
John K. Stargel
A great addition to the bench.
Bright, thoughtful, and energetic.
He has "won over" many attorneys who initially viewed him as a politician.
Better judge than most anticipated.
Former legislator.
Has no idea about real world.
Judge Stargel came to the bench with the daunting handicap of having virtually no legal experience, but through
hard work has made up ground tremendously and with a few more years behind him will be a great judge.
Smart, but doctrinaire and sometimes arbitrary.
Smug, pompous, makes law from the bench, disregards established law; unfavorable to battered women,
condescending to parties and attorneys.
Works hard; studies the issues; gives everyone a fair chance.
Young judge; tries to do what's right.
John F. Laurent
Difficult to deal with.
Fair minded.
Good judge.
Great family law judge.
Probate has brought out the worst in him.
Could he be bored? .
Most of his experience was legislative, but he will get better.
Seems like his mind is far away at times, which is a shame given his talents; perhaps he is grown bored with his job.
Solid, good person.
Still learning his latest division; some mistakes early on, but he's making more sense as we go along.
Takes too long to rule.
His time in Tallahassee is very important for our circuit, but he needs to be more visible (in Bar activities).
A great addition to the bench.
Bright, thoughtful, and energetic.
He has "won over" many attorneys who initially viewed him as a politician.
Better judge than most anticipated.
Former legislator.
Has no idea about real world.
Judge Stargel came to the bench with the daunting handicap of having virtually no legal experience, but through
hard work has made up ground tremendously and with a few more years behind him will be a great judge.
Smart, but doctrinaire and sometimes arbitrary.
Smug, pompous, makes law from the bench, disregards established law; unfavorable to battered women,
condescending to parties and attorneys.
Works hard; studies the issues; gives everyone a fair chance.
Young judge; tries to do what's right.
John F. Laurent
Difficult to deal with.
Fair minded.
Good judge.
Great family law judge.
Probate has brought out the worst in him.
Could he be bored? .
Most of his experience was legislative, but he will get better.
Seems like his mind is far away at times, which is a shame given his talents; perhaps he is grown bored with his job.
Solid, good person.
Still learning his latest division; some mistakes early on, but he's making more sense as we go along.
Takes too long to rule.
His time in Tallahassee is very important for our circuit, but he needs to be more visible (in Bar activities).
Article
By DIANE LACEY ALLEN
The Ledger
John K. Stargel, one of four new circuit judges, ranked 23rd among the 25 judges.
The former state lawmaker received an overall average of 6.33 in the survey, with his highest score, 6.79, in professional conduct and his lowest, 6.04, in written decisions.
Stargel, 43, whose young face could classify him as the Donnie Osmond of local judges, received his share of positive remarks.
"Surprised at how well he is doing, tries very hard," wrote one lawyer. "Works hard, studies the issues, gives everyone a fair chance."
Others poked at his lack of experience with remarks such as "has no idea about the real world," "Confidence exceeds his competence'' and "Smug, pompous, makes law from the bench, disregards established law .<0x200A>.<0x200A>. condescending to parties and attorneys."
Stargel took the negative comments in stride, chalking up some to his short tenure on the bench and the heated feelings that sprouted from his judicial race.
"It's not surprising, given a couple of things," Stargel said. "One, my prior life as an elected official and the fact that I had a contested election and a number of attorneys were active in the support of my opponent."
"I work for the people. My job is to follow the law and be thorough and efficient," said Stargel.
In the 2006 election, he defeated Nathaniel White. White sued over Stargel's using money that was originally earmarked for his legislative campaign. Stargel was in the middle of a re-election campaign for the state House when the bench position opened up. He rolled his legislative money over to his judicial campaign.
A judge threw out sections of the suit and the issue eventually went away.
Stargel grew up in Tampa. He received his bachelor's degree from the University of Tampa in 1987 and his law degree from the Florida State University College of Law in 1991. He was in private practive before his election and was assistant general counsel for W.S. Badcock Corp. from 1992 to 2000.
His term expires in 2012.
Stargel and his wife, Kelli, have five children.