The Hon. Jackie L. Fulford (Ret.) served as a judge for the 2nd Judicial Circuit Court of Florida. Fulford was appointed to the bench by former Governor Charlie Crist in 2009, filling a vacancy created by the retirement of the Hon. Janet E. Ferris. She retired in 2015.
The 2nd Judicial Circuit encompasses Franklin County, Gadsden County, Jefferson County, Leon County, Liberty County, and Wakulla County. Fulford held assignments in Wakulla County, presiding over a number of high-profile cases, some of which included decisions on prison privatization and mandatory pension contributions.
Fulford earned a bachelor’s degree from Florida Atlantic University. She then completed a J.D. at Stetson University College of Law in 1994.
After graduating from law school, Fulford entered into private practice as an attorney at Garrity & Fulford. She worked in that capacity until 1996, at which time she joined Morrison, Morrison & Miller. Then, in 1998, she was hired as the chief assistant state attorney in the Office of the State Attorney for the 2nd Judicial Circuit.
The Florida Judicial Qualifications Commission (JQC) filed formal charges against Fulford in 2015, alleging violations of the code of judicial conduct, including conduct resulting in the appearance of judicial impropriety. Later that year, the JQC determined that Fulford was no longer able to perform her judicial duties and recommended involuntary retirement. The Florida Supreme Court adopted the recommendation on September 30, 2015, declaring Fulford involuntarily retired from judicial service.
Fulford was born and raised in Okeechobee, Florida, in a family deeply involved in the cattle business.