The general counsel for the Marion County Sheriff’s Office has been appointed to a judgeship by Governor Ron DeSantis.
On Wednesday, the governor announced the appointment of Ocala resident Timothy McCourt as Judge in the Fifth Judicial Circuit.
Since 2019, McCourt has served as general counsel to Marion County Sheriff Billy Woods and the sheriff’s office. He is also a deputy sheriff.
McCourt has prior experience in the Fifth Judicial Circuit. He previously served as an Assistant State Attorney, supervising a felony division, and he was responsible for prosecution of cases involving homicide, death, drug trafficking, career criminals, and other complex matters.
In addition, McCourt was previously assigned within the State Attorney’s Office to the Special Victims Unit, felony, and county court divisions. He also worked for several years in private practice with a law firm in Lake County, where he specialized in family law, civil litigation, and appeals.
McCourt earned his bachelor’s degree from Florida State University and his juris doctor from the University of Florida. He fills the judicial vacancy created by Judge Larry Metz, who retired earlier this summer.