April 3, 2024

Seventh Judicial Circuit Judge Terence R. Perkins is retiring effective September 30, 2024.

Judge Perkins received his undergraduate and law degrees from the University of Florida. He was admitted to The Florida Bar in 1981 and was appointed Circuit Judge in 2010. He was subsequently elected in 2012 and reelected in 2018 without opposition. As a Circuit Judge, Perkins served in the Civil and Felony divisions in Volusia and later Flagler Counties. He also presided over the Flagler County Drug Court. Perkins served as Chief Judge of the Seventh Judicial Circuit from July 1, 2013 to June 30, 2017. As Chief Judge, he orchestrated the pivotal shift from paper to electronic files. As a member of the Florida Court Technology Commission, he helped spearhead groundbreaking technological advances used throughout the Florida State Courts System. Before joining the Court, Judge Perkins worked in private practice for 30 years with Monaco, Smith, Hood, Perkins, Orfinger, and Stout.

Current Chief Judge Leah Case remarked: “Judge Perkins’ retirement does not come as a surprise, but we’re all wondering what our work lives will be like without having him around to share his insights and wisdom. I know he has a variety of personal pursuits on which he can now focus his attention, but we’ll all miss him a great deal. The Seventh Judicial Circuit and its citizens are losing a dedicated jurist who gave each case the individual attention it deserved and was always willing to take time to advise and counsel his fellow judges. I hope he’ll consider returning as a senior judge.”
Judge Perkins’ position will be filled by gubernatorial appointment.