Two veteran Seminole County prosecutors have been appointed to the Judicial Nominating Commission for the 18th Judicial Circuit.
Assistant State Attorneys Jennie Hayes and Paul Brill were selected by Gov. Ron DiSantis to serve on the nine-member body, which plays an important role in Florida’s criminal and civil courts system. As commissioners, they will interview candidates for judicial vacancies in Brevard and Seminole counties and nominate finalists to the governor for appointment. Initially, Brill will serve on the commission for one year and Hayes for two years, but both will be eligible for reappointments for four-year term.
State Attorney William Scheiner applauded the appointments, saying: “Both prosecutors are experienced trial attorneys with deep understanding of Florida law, court procedures and the Constitution. They understand the need for strong, organized judges who will keep our communities safe from crime and fairly resolve civil disputes.”
Hayes has worked for the State Attorney’s Office for nearly 13 years including on its Career Criminal and Firearm-Crimes Unit for the past five years. As a felony prosecutor, Hayes has worked with every Seminole County law enforcement agency to build strong cases for trial. She is a graduate of the University of Central Florida and Stetson University College of Law in St. Petersburg.
Brill likewise has served as an Assistant State Attorney for nearly 13 years. Brill was named the office’s Misdemeanor Trial Attorney of the Year in 2017, prosecuted felony cases for eight years, and now serves as an early-resolution program attorney. A former sheriff’s deputy in Nebraska, he is a graduate of Grace University in Omaha and the Barry University School of Law in Orlando.