Charles T. Wells
Encyclopedia
Charles T. Wells was a member of the Florida Supreme Court
from 1994 until March 3, 2009, when he retired. He was appointed by Governor Lawton Chiles
. He served as Chief Justice from July 1, 2000, until June 30, 2002. He is perhaps most noted for presiding over appeals brought to the Court as part of the dispute over Florida's electoral votes in the U.S. presidential election, 2000, which were broadcast live to a worldwide audience. Wells dissented from the majority opinion that ordered a recount to decide the presidential election.
He graduated from William R. Boone High School
in 1957. Wells received his bachelor's degree from the University of Florida
in 1961 and received his Juris Doctor
degree from the University of Florida College of Law (now named the Levin College of Law
) in 1964.
Florida Supreme Court
The Supreme Court of the State of Florida is the highest court in the U.S. state of Florida. The Supreme Court consists of seven judges: the Chief Justice and six Justices who are appointed by the Governor to 6-year terms and remain in office if retained in a general election near the end of each...
from 1994 until March 3, 2009, when he retired. He was appointed by Governor Lawton Chiles
Lawton Chiles
Lawton Mainor Chiles, Jr. was an American politician from the US state of Florida. In a career spanning four decades, Chiles, a Democrat who never lost an election, served in the Florida House of Representatives , the Florida State Senate , the United States Senate , and as the 41st Governor of...
. He served as Chief Justice from July 1, 2000, until June 30, 2002. He is perhaps most noted for presiding over appeals brought to the Court as part of the dispute over Florida's electoral votes in the U.S. presidential election, 2000, which were broadcast live to a worldwide audience. Wells dissented from the majority opinion that ordered a recount to decide the presidential election.
He graduated from William R. Boone High School
William R. Boone High School
William R. Boone High School is a public high school in Orlando, Florida, United States. Built in 1952, the school is one of twenty high schools in the Orange County Public Schools system, created to accommodate the growing number of students at Orlando High School...
in 1957. Wells received his bachelor's degree from the University of Florida
University of Florida
The University of Florida is an American public land-grant, sea-grant, and space-grant research university located on a campus in Gainesville, Florida. The university traces its historical origins to 1853, and has operated continuously on its present Gainesville campus since September 1906...
in 1961 and received his Juris Doctor
Juris Doctor
Juris Doctor is a professional doctorate and first professional graduate degree in law.The degree was first awarded by Harvard University in the United States in the late 19th century and was created as a modern version of the old European doctor of law degree Juris Doctor (see etymology and...
degree from the University of Florida College of Law (now named the Levin College of Law
Levin College of Law
The Fredric G. Levin College of Law is the law school of the University of Florida located in Gainesville, Florida.-History:The College of Law was founded in 1909. It was first housed in Thomas Hall, and then in Bryan Hall from 1914 to 1969...
) in 1964.