Gov. Ron DeSantis has appointed Assistant State Attorney Hector Bustos to serve as the newest judge on the Clay County Court, filling a position created earlier this year under Senate Bill 2508.
Emerging from an initial field of five candidates and winnowed down to three finalists, Bustos got the nod for the court on Thursday.
A Florida State University graduate, Bustos earned his law degree from the Florida Coastal School of Law. Since joining the 4th Judicial Circuit in 2013, he has handled a wide range of cases.
Currently, he serves as the Division Chief of County and Juvenile Court and as the lead attorney for traffic homicide prosecutions in Clay County. His more than a decade of courtroom experience has earned him a reputation for diligence, professionalism, and consistency in achieving convictions.
Bustos’ dedication to public service has also drawn recognition beyond the courtroom. He was recently named the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission’s North Central Region 2025 Prosecutor of the Year, a distinction that highlights his skill in managing complex cases involving environmental and wildlife law enforcement.
In a statement, the 4th Circuit State Attorney’s Office praised Bustos’ record of “high-quality cases with a high conviction rate,” calling his appointment a testament to his integrity and leadership. His move to the bench marks another step in the Governor’s ongoing effort to elevate experienced prosecutors to judicial positions across Florida, ensuring a deep bench of jurists with firsthand knowledge of the state’s legal system and public safety priorities.
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