DAYTONA BEACH, Fla -- Circuit Judge Raul A. Zambrano will begin a two-year term as Chief Judge of the 7th Judicial Circuit beginning on Saturday.
Because July 1 falls on a Saturday, Zambrano won't actually be on the bench in his new leadership role until the following Monday.
Zambrano was chosen by the 42 judges in the four-county circuit to take on this lead administrative role. He will continue his regular docket duties on the bench, where he currently hears felony cases in DeLand.
A judge since 2005, Zambrano succeeds Circuit Judge Terence R. Perkins, whose second term as chief judge ends Friday. Perkins will continue to hear felony cases in Daytona Beach in his regular role as a circuit judge.
“We owe a debt of gratitude to Judge Perkins for his stewardship as chief judge over the past four years,” Zambrano said in a prepared statement released by Ludmilla Lelis, spokeswoman for the seventh circuit, and emailed to Headline Surfer and other Central Florida media outlets.
“Fifteen new judges took the bench during his chief judge tenure. We’ve also seen tremendous growth in our use of technology. Through it all, Judge Perkins led the circuit with a steady hand and unwavering commitment to the fair and efficient administration of justice. I’m honored that my colleagues have entrusted me with following in his footsteps.”
A judge since 2005, Raul Zambrano succeeds Circuit Judge Terence R. Perkins, shown here, whose second term as chief judge ends on Saturday. Perkins will continue to hear felony cases in his regular role as a circuit judge in Daytona Beach.
“We owe a debt of gratitude to Judge Perkins for his stewardship as chief judge over the past 4 years,” Zambrano said in a prepared statement released by Ludmilla Lelis, spokeswoman for the seventh circuit, and emailed to Headline Surfer and other Central Florida media outlets.
“Fifteen new judges took the bench during his chief judge tenure. We’ve also seen tremendous growth in our use of technology. Through it all, Judge Perkins led the circuit with a steady hand and unwavering commitment to the fair and efficient administration of justice. I’m honored that my colleagues have entrusted me with following in his footsteps.”
Prior to becoming a judge, Zambrano served as an assistant state attorney.
"I am honored to serve in this leadership capacity," Zambrano told Headline Surfer back on Feb. 22, which was first in reporting his promotion as chief judge.
Zambrano was appointed to the circuit judgeship in 2005, by then-Gov. Jeb Bush. He was most recently re-elected without opposition in 2014, winning a six-year term that expires on January 4, 2021.
Zambrano received his bachelor's degree from Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University. He went on to receive two master's degrees from Embry-Riddle as well. He then received his J.D. degree from the Stetson University College of Law in St. Petersburg.
Forty-two judges serve residents of the Seventh Judicial Circuit, including 27 circuit and 15 county court judges, in courts in Daytona Beach, DeLand, New Smyrna Beach Bunnell, Palatka and St. Augustine.