Steven L. Selph
Steven L. Selph
District: Circuit Judge
Comments
Article
By ERIC PERA
THE LEDGER
Circuit Judge Steven Selph ranked 19th in this year's bar survey with an average score of 7.39.
Selph's critics, while few, said he lacks preparedness in the courtroom and talks too much.
"Judge Selph needs to keep his thoughts to himself," one lawyer said.
"Not the best prepared judge for hearings, but he knows what he's doing," another lawyer said.
A majority of comments were more kind.
"Always a joy to practice in his court."
"Uses good judgement."
Selph received his highest score of 7.66 for professional conduct. His lowest, 7.17, was for written decisions.
Selph joined the State Attorney's Office in 1978, fresh out of Stetson University College of Law.
He was in private practice from 1982-88 then joined the Polk County Attorney's Office.
He was general counsel to the Polk School Board from 1993 to 1998, when he was appointed to the Polk County Court bench.
He ran unopposed for the Circuit Court in 2006.
Selph didn't comment for this article.
| 2010 Overall | Legal Ability | Communication Ability | Written Decisions | Professional Conduct |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 7.39 | 7.32 | 7.41 | 7.17 | 7.66 |
Comments
Fair; straightforward.
Always a joy to practice in his court.
Soft spoken but considerate and listens well. Learning to apply equity.
Laid back. Always fair to all parties.
Brilliant. Moves courtroom too slowly.
Judge Selph needs to keep his thoughts to himself. Has been recused several times because he likes to hear himself talk. Judge Selph, with all due respect, shut up.
Uses good judgment.
Talks too much about nothing.
Miss him in Polk County.
Lacks insight.
Not the best prepared judge for hearings, but he knows what he's doing.
Prodigious appetite as a jurist.
Hard working judge who has common sense and judgment.
A truly nice man who usually works his way to the best decisions possible.
Fair and honest.
Always attempts fairness.
Still new as circuit judge. Should get better with experience. Excellent demeanor and temper.
Always a joy to practice in his court.
Soft spoken but considerate and listens well. Learning to apply equity.
Laid back. Always fair to all parties.
Brilliant. Moves courtroom too slowly.
Judge Selph needs to keep his thoughts to himself. Has been recused several times because he likes to hear himself talk. Judge Selph, with all due respect, shut up.
Uses good judgment.
Talks too much about nothing.
Miss him in Polk County.
Lacks insight.
Not the best prepared judge for hearings, but he knows what he's doing.
Prodigious appetite as a jurist.
Hard working judge who has common sense and judgment.
A truly nice man who usually works his way to the best decisions possible.
Fair and honest.
Always attempts fairness.
Still new as circuit judge. Should get better with experience. Excellent demeanor and temper.
Article
By ERIC PERA
THE LEDGER
Circuit Judge Steven Selph ranked 19th in this year's bar survey with an average score of 7.39.
Selph's critics, while few, said he lacks preparedness in the courtroom and talks too much.
"Judge Selph needs to keep his thoughts to himself," one lawyer said.
"Not the best prepared judge for hearings, but he knows what he's doing," another lawyer said.
A majority of comments were more kind.
"Always a joy to practice in his court."
"Uses good judgement."
Selph received his highest score of 7.66 for professional conduct. His lowest, 7.17, was for written decisions.
Selph joined the State Attorney's Office in 1978, fresh out of Stetson University College of Law.
He was in private practice from 1982-88 then joined the Polk County Attorney's Office.
He was general counsel to the Polk School Board from 1993 to 1998, when he was appointed to the Polk County Court bench.
He ran unopposed for the Circuit Court in 2006.
Selph didn't comment for this article.
District: Circuit Judge
Comments
Article
By SUZIE SCHOTTELKOTTE
THE LEDGER
Circuit Judge Steven L. Selph was tied for the 16th spot in the ratings. Selph scored 7.22, making him even with Judge Robert Doyel.
Selph was still on the county bench in 2006, when the last judicial poll was conducted.
At that time, he scored 7.59 overall, ranking him third among the seven county judges.
As a circuit judge, lawyers said they have found Selph to be fair, knowledgeable and steady, though some said he can be condescending and doesn't move his docket quickly enough.
"Great judge," one lawyer said. "Wish the rest were so good."
"A very earnest and decent man," said another.
His critics were equally as direct.
"Has a condescending view of attorneys and enjoys the power of his black robe too much," one said.
Selph, 54, graduated from Stetson University School of Law in 1978 and joined the State Attorney's Office in the 10th Circuit.
He was in private practice from 1982-88, when he joined the County Attorney's Office.
In 1993, he became general counsel to the Polk County School Board, where he remained until his appointment to the Polk County Court bench in 1998.
He ran unopposed for the Circuit Court in 2006. His term expires in 2012.
Selph didn't comment for this report.
| 2008 Overall | Legal Ability | Communication Ability | Written Decisions | Professional Conduct |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 7.22 | 7.13 | 7.11 | 7.05 | 7.60 |
Comments
Steven L. Selph
A very brilliant judicial mind.
A very earnest and decent man.
A very good judge and man.
Good, fair, courteous solid judge.
Great judge; fair to all.
Great judge; wish rest were so good.
Knowledgeable.
Needs to work hard at getting better.
Needs to work harder and faster.
Steady.
Very nice.
We need more circuit judges like Judge Selph.
A very brilliant judicial mind.
A very earnest and decent man.
A very good judge and man.
Good, fair, courteous solid judge.
Great judge; fair to all.
Great judge; wish rest were so good.
Knowledgeable.
Needs to work hard at getting better.
Needs to work harder and faster.
Steady.
Very nice.
We need more circuit judges like Judge Selph.
Article
By SUZIE SCHOTTELKOTTE
THE LEDGER
Circuit Judge Steven L. Selph was tied for the 16th spot in the ratings. Selph scored 7.22, making him even with Judge Robert Doyel.
Selph was still on the county bench in 2006, when the last judicial poll was conducted.
At that time, he scored 7.59 overall, ranking him third among the seven county judges.
As a circuit judge, lawyers said they have found Selph to be fair, knowledgeable and steady, though some said he can be condescending and doesn't move his docket quickly enough.
"Great judge," one lawyer said. "Wish the rest were so good."
"A very earnest and decent man," said another.
His critics were equally as direct.
"Has a condescending view of attorneys and enjoys the power of his black robe too much," one said.
Selph, 54, graduated from Stetson University School of Law in 1978 and joined the State Attorney's Office in the 10th Circuit.
He was in private practice from 1982-88, when he joined the County Attorney's Office.
In 1993, he became general counsel to the Polk County School Board, where he remained until his appointment to the Polk County Court bench in 1998.
He ran unopposed for the Circuit Court in 2006. His term expires in 2012.
Selph didn't comment for this report.