Ben Rich, appointed by Gov. Ron DeSantis to the St. Johns County Court, was formally sworn in during an investiture ceremony last Friday at the Old City’s Fountain of Youth Archaeological Park.
Rich fills the vacancy created when former County Judge Lauren Blocker was elevated to the Seventh Judicial Circuit Court.
Family members, colleagues, and local luminaries attended the ceremony, including State Attorney R.J. Larizza and Sheriff Robert Hardwick, highlighting the community’s recognition of Rich’s ascent to the bench.
Rich spent more than a decade with the Seventh Judicial Circuit State Attorney’s Office, most recently serving as managing assistant state attorney in St. Johns County.
In that role, he handled a variety of criminal cases and oversaw office operations.
A St. Augustine resident, Rich earned his bachelor’s degree from the University of Central Florida and his law degree from Florida Coastal School of Law. H
e was admitted to The Florida Bar in 2005.
As a county court judge, Rich will preside over misdemeanor criminal cases, traffic matters, and county civil disputes.
