Ian Richards (judge) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Ian J. Richards
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| County Court Judge of Florida's 17th Judicial Circuit | |
| In office January 2009 – January 2015 |
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| Personal details | |
| Born |
Ian Jason Richards
May 31, 1975 Derbyshire, England, United Kingdom |
| Citizenship | American British (formerly) |
| Residences | Hollywood, Florida, U.S. |
| Alma mater | Florida International University (B.Acc) University of Miami School of Law (JD) |
| Profession | attorney, judge |
Ian Jason Richards, born on May 31, 1975, is a former county court judge from Florida. He served in the 17th Judicial Circuit. A judicial circuit is like a specific area or district where a judge has the power to make decisions.
Richards made history as the first African-American judge elected countywide in Broward County, Florida. He was known for a brave act during a court case. He once jumped over his judge's bench to protect a witness who was being attacked. This showed his dedication to keeping people safe in his courtroom.
Early Life and Education
Ian Richards grew up in South Florida. His father was a mechanic and his mother was a registered nurse. He went to Shadowlawn Elementary School. Later, he graduated from Miami Norland Senior High School.
Richards continued his education at Florida International University. In 1999, he earned a Bachelor of Accounting degree. This degree teaches you about managing money and financial records.
He then went on to study law. In 2002, he received a Juris Doctor (JD) degree from the University of Miami School of Law. A Juris Doctor is the main degree needed to become a lawyer. While there, he was part of the UM Law School’s Honor Council. This group helps make sure students follow rules of honesty.
His Career as a Judge
Ian Richards had an important career in law. He started as an Assistant State Attorney. This means he worked for the government to bring legal cases against people accused of crimes. He held this role from 2002 to 2004.
After that, he worked as a private attorney in South Florida. This means he represented individual people or companies in legal matters. He did this from 2004 to 2008.
Becoming a County Judge
In 2009, Ian Richards was elected as a County Judge. He served in the 17th Judicial Circuit. As a county judge, he handled many different types of cases. These often included smaller legal disputes or minor criminal cases. He served in this role until January 2015.
He ran for re-election in 2014. Even though many local newspapers supported him, he was not re-elected.
Professional Groups
Richards is a member of several important legal groups. These include the Broward Bar Association and the Florida Bar Association. He is also part of the Federal Bar Association. These groups help lawyers and judges stay connected and uphold legal standards.
Ian Richards is married and has three children.
