DeSantis appoints judge who denied abortion to girl over school grades

Jared Smith, who issued controversial ruling in January, named to new court of appeal by Florida governor

Florida's rightwing Republican governor, Ron DeSantis, has appointed a judge who was previously ousted over a controversial ruling where he denied a teenager an abortion, citing her school grades.

DeSantis appointed Jared Smith to the newly established sixth district court of appeal, an appointment which will begin on 1 January 2023. Smith previously served as a judge on the Hillsborough county court until he was ousted in August after his decision on the abortion-related case.