Circuit Judge Torea Spohr has left the bench in what Chief Judge James Yancey called “an indeterminate leave of absence.”
The absence began on April 29, Yancey said. Spohr, who took office in 2021, had been assigned to one of six felony divisions in the 10th Judicial Circuit, which is based in Bartow and covers Polk, Highlands, and Hardee counties.
Yancey issued a special order on May 1 amending his assignment of judges from Jan. 6 through July 6. As of May 5, Felony Division 6 will be reassigned to Circuit Judge Jalal Harb.
Yancey declined to provide any details on the reason for Spohr’s absence. She had not submitted a letter of resignation as of the afternoon of May 1, Yancey said.
Asked who would decide how long Spohr is allowed to be absent, Yancey said that would not be his decision. The communications office of Gov. Ron DeSantis did not immediately reply to a question about Spohr’s status.