“I graduated from Niceville High School, went off to the University of Florida, then to law school at Florida Coastal in Jacksonville.” “I wasn’t born here but it’s where I have spent most of my life,” said Schlechter on Monday morning. While born in New Jersey, Niceville is what Schlechter considers home. His father was in the Air Force and was stationed at Eglin Air Force Base around the mid-90s. Like so many in Okaloosa County, Jack Schlechter arrived here by way of the military.
From there, applicants submit their applications to the judicial nominating commission, followed by interviews. When a judge retires or resigns during their term, the governor declares a vacancy and the judicial nominating commission publishes the vacancy.