Mendoza appointed circuit court judge

Historic City News reporters were notified today that Governor Rick Scott has appointment Assistant St. Augustine City Attorney Carlos E. Mendoza to the Seventh Judicial Circuit Court.

Before 41 year-old Mendoza became assistant city attorney in 2009, he served as an assistant state attorney in the Seventh Judicial Circuit from 2005 to 2009.

From 1997 to 2005, he was a Judge Advocate in the U.S. Navy in Norfolk, Virginia, being appointed to serve as Special Assistant United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia in 2004.

Prior to that, Mendoza served in the U.S. Marine Corps Reserve from 1989 to 1995. As a reservist, he was deployed to serve in both Operation Desert Shield and Operation Desert Storm. He received both his bachelor’s and law degrees from West Virginia University.

“As a career public servant with 14 years of courtroom experience, Carlos has proved his commitment to serve the people and the court. I am confident that he will apply existing law fairly and consistently,” Governor Scott said. “He is a first generation American whose parents instilled in him a great appreciation and love of freedom and the opportunities available in America.”

Mendoza will fill the vacancy created by the resignation of Judge Julianne Piggott.

Photo credits: © 2011 Historic City News staff photographer