Mark Jones, circuit judge for the 16th Judicial Circuit of Florida, will retire at the end of December 2026 and will not seek re-election in the August 2026 judicial election.
Jones was first elected in November 1996.
Jones has presided over matters in every division of the circuit court, including numerous serious and high-profile cases. While his chambers are in Key West, he has presided over proceedings and maintained divisional assignments in Marathon and Plantation Key.
Jones has been elected by his colleagues to serve as chief judge of the circuit on four separate occasions and currently serves as the circuit’s criminal administrative judge and mentor judge, continuing his long-standing commitment to judicial leadership and professionalism.
The election to fill Jones’ seat currently will take place on Aug. 18, 2026.
