Judge Hale R. Stancil: Professional Background and Legal Expertise

The Hon. Hale R. Stancil (Ret.) was a judge for the 5th Judicial Circuit Court of Florida. Stancil was appointed to the bench by former Governor Lawton Chiles in 1993. He retired in 2015.

The 5th Judicial Circuit encompasses Citrus County, Hernando County, Lake County, Marion County, and Sumter County. Stancil held assignments in Marion County, presiding over felony and foreclosure cases. He also sat as a judge for the Drug Court.

Prior to his appointment, Stancil served as a judge for the Marion County Court, a position he held for ten years.

Stancil received his B.S. from the University of Florida in 1968. He spent the next three years as a corporal in the United States Marine Corps before completing a J.D. at Stetson University College of Law in 1973.

After graduating from law school, Stancil began his legal career as a sole practitioner. He supplemented his practice with service as an associate at the Law Firm of Lewis O. Myers (1973 to 1975) and an as assistant public defender at the Office of the Public Defender for the 5th Judicial Circuit (1974 to 1978).

His memberships included the Marion County Bar Association, The Florida Bar, the Conference of County Court Judges, the Conference of Circuit Court Judges, and the D. R. Smith American Inns of Court.

Stancil was born in Ocala, Florida.