Escambia County Judge Pat Kinsey Announces Retirement

July 8, 2021

Escambia County Judge Pat Kinsey has announced her retirement after nearly three decades of service.

Kinsey will not seek re-election and will enter retirement at the end of her current term on January 2, 2023.

“It has been the great honor of my life to serve the citizens of Escambia County on the bench of the First Judicial Circuit for more than 20 years,” said Kinsey. “The trust that voters placed in me to treat every case with fairness and respect will never be forgotten.”

Kinsey was first elected to the bench in 1998 after having served as assistant state attorney for seven years and was subsequently re-elected in 2010 and 2016.

Kinsey was instrumental in establishing the Civil Division of the Escambia County Court system following extensive damage to the Escambia Judicial Center caused by Hurricane Ivan that resulted in a backlog of more than 7,000 cases. Under Kinsey’s leadership, the backlog was cleared in under two years and the Civil Division made a permanent fixture of the First Judicial Circuit.

Before pursuing a legal career, Kinsey found success in the private sector as a regional vice-president for a division of Chase Manhattan Bank.

Kinsey earned her bachelor’s degree with highest honors from the University of West Florida and her juris doctorate with high honors from the Florida State University College of Law.

Her professional memberships have included the Task Force on Juvenile Delinquency, East Hill Association, the Florida Council on Crime and Delinquency and the Escambia-Santa Rosa County Bar Association. She has also been involved with IMPACT 100, Rotary International and Toastmasters International.

Voters will have the chance to select Kinsey’s successor in the primary election set to take place on August 23, 2022. Candidates wishing to qualify for the election must do so between April 25-29, 2022.

Comments

13 Responses to “Escambia County Judge Pat Kinsey Announces Retirement”

  1. Barry Bayuk on April 7th, 2023 1:11 pm

    Hard worker who rendered splendid service to our community. Courageous and fair, Judge Kinsey was one helluva judge. We’re lucky to have had Patricia Kinsey, and I hope she enjoys her well-earned retirement.

  2. Brandi Oswald on July 14th, 2022 1:34 pm

    So I finally lived to see her retirement well I hope you have a great one you earned it. I have been in the criminal’s system since I was a juvenile My brother and me were the 2 that fell through the tracks a lot your daughter sentenced my baby brother 7 years why for being a great daddy??? I am so glad i got to sweep which ones made it out of this cruel town but Ms. Pat good luck cause i KNOW YOU TRIED VERY HARD FOR ME ALOT I APPERICATE THAT SO MUCH GOD BLESS!!

  3. RY Howell on July 11th, 2021 1:42 pm

    Judge Kinsey has been an awesome judge! Her fairness to others is excelled above most judges! Her willingness to heart the truth is the key! We’re love you but are so happy for you judge Kinsey!!

  4. Wendy O. on July 9th, 2021 10:26 pm

    Judge Kinsey has been a great & fair judge in all of my experience in front of her. I hate to see her go, but it is well earned. Enjoy your retirement & watching Joey Lagano while I will still cheer for Harvick

  5. Carol Way on July 9th, 2021 10:34 am

    I wish she would have retired before she was the judge in my custody case. She was so unfair and her ruling was absolutely wrong and now the child is paying the price for her ruling. So I’m glad she is retiring so she can’t ruin anymore children’s lives!! I just wish she could retire today and be done at the courthouse so she will no longer be able to decide someone’s life!!!

  6. SueB on July 9th, 2021 8:15 am

    Before you VOTE on a Judge, always do research to find out if they “make the grade”.

  7. Dale on July 9th, 2021 6:38 am

    Congratulations Pat, Enjoy your retirement!

  8. Bill on July 8th, 2021 10:09 pm

    Fair lady LOL

  9. Who cares? on July 8th, 2021 6:13 pm

    So what? Just replace her with someone else just like her. That’s how everything goes in America. Just get on with it.

  10. Louis Meadors on July 8th, 2021 2:16 pm

    May God Bless You. You may be fair to others but in my opinion you never were fair to me when I approached the bench in your court room. I am now homeless because you took the word of a landlord who was dishonest. Thanks. Hope you have a enjoyable retirement.

  11. northend resident on July 8th, 2021 12:44 pm

    She’s such a professional, kind and respectful Judge in our previous experience in front of her. Sad to see such a wonderful judge leave the arena, but I know it’s well earned and much deserved. Hope retirement treats you well Judge Kinsey, good luck and God bless!

  12. William 2 on July 8th, 2021 9:56 am

    Enjoy your Retirement, thank you for your hard work and dedication to the citizens of the 1st judicial circuit.

  13. JACK C on July 8th, 2021 8:35 am

    Judge Pat Kinsey, you are a great lady and fair person. It has been my honor to know you.

    MY GOD BLESS YOU AND YOUR FAMILY.

Written by William Reynolds · Filed Under News