Mark Mahon (born April 8, 1957) is a former Representative in the House of Representatives of the U.S. state of Florida. As of July 2015, he is the Chief Judge of Florida's 4th Circuit Court. He resides in Jacksonville, Florida.
Mark Mahon | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Judge of the Fourth Judicial Circuit Court of Florida | |
| Assumed office June 29, 2007 | |
| Preceded by | A.C. Soud[1] |
| Member of the Florida House of Representatives from the 16th district | |
| In office November 21, 2000 – June 29, 2007 | |
| Preceded by | James B. "Jim" Fuller[2] |
| Succeeded by | Charles McBurney[3] |
| Personal details | |
| Born | April 8, 1957 |
| Political party | Republican |
| Spouse | Mary Ciccone |
| Alma mater | Florida State University (BS, JD) |
| Profession | Judge in 4th Judicial Circuit |
Mahon received his bachelor's degree from the Florida State University in 1978. In addition, he received his Juris Doctor from Florida State University in 1981. In 2007, he was appointed by governor Charlie Crist as a circuit judge for the 4th Judicial Circuit of Jacksonville, Florida. This ended his term as a Representative of the 16th District of Florida.
Controversy
editAfter becoming Interim Chief Judge of Florida's 4th Circuit Court based in Jacksonville, on July 1, 2015, Mahon issued a Summary Order prohibiting photography in public places, criticism of the court and specifically "speech that ‘degrade[s] or call[s] into question the integrity’ of judges on courthouse sidewalks" of the Duval County Courthouse,[4] a move that was denounced by lawyers and activists as unconstitutional due to violation of the First Amendment.[5] On July 7, Mahon altered his order to drop speech prohibitions but retain prohibitions on photography from public sidewalks. On the same day, PINAC and local activists filed federal lawsuit against Mahon's order, alleging prior restraint of free speech.[6] On July 15, Mahon rescinded the order completely after increasing media attention and criticism.[7]
References
edit- ^ "Mark Mahon". Ballotpedia.
- ^ "Our Campaigns - FL State House 016 Race - Sep 05, 2000". www.ourcampaigns.com.
- ^ "Our Campaigns - FL State House 016 Race - Nov 07, 2006". www.ourcampaigns.com.
- ^ "Cops Caught on TapeChief Judge Mark Mohan's Order Limiting Freedom of Speech - Cops Caught on Tape". Archived from the original on 2015-07-05. Retrieved 2015-07-05.
- ^ Eugene Volokh (2021-10-23) [2015-07-04]. "No speech that 'degrade[s] or call[s] into question the integrity' of judges on courthouse sidewalks". The Washington Post. Washington, D.C. ISSN 0190-8286. OCLC 1330888409.[please check these dates]
- ^ Pantazi, Andrew. "Jacksonville chief judge scales back ban on protests; federal lawsuit filed". The Florida Times-Union.
- ^ http://www.firstcoastnews.com/story/news/2015/07/15/judge-mahon-rescinds-order/30200359/