The court has a reputation for liberalism but also is known to be independent and not easily predictable. In 1998, when it ruled in a Volusia County ballot dispute, it said that courts ''should not frustrate the will of the voters if the failure to perform official election duties is unintentional wrongdoing and the will of the voters can be determined.''
The members:
Harry Lee Anstead, 63
From: Lake Worth, Palm Beach County
Law degree: University of Florida
Appointed: By Chiles in 1994 after 18 years on lower state appellate court and 13 years as a state trial and appellate lawyer.
Major Harding, 65
From: Jacksonville
Law degree: Wake Forest University; began extensive career on Florida courts in 1968 with appointment to a county juvenile court.
Appointed: To Supreme Court in 1991 by Chiles.
R. Fred Lewis, 52
From: Miami
Law degree: University of Miami
Appointed: By Chiles in late 1998 after a career in civil trial and appellate litigation.
Peggy Quince, 52
From: Tampa
Law degree: Catholic University of America
Appointed: In 1998 by Chiles and then-Gov.-elect Jeb Bush. The first African-American woman on the state's high court, Quince was an assistant attorney general in the criminal division for 13 years before being named to a lower state court.
Barbara Pariente, 51
From: West Palm Beach
Law degree: George Washington University
Appointed: By Chiles in 1997; spent 18 years in private practice and four years on lower state appellate court.
Leander Shaw, 70
From: Lake Iamonia, Leon County
Law degree: Howard University
Appointed: In 1983 by Gov. Bob Graham after four years on a lower state court and about two decades of varied legal practice.
Charles Wells, 61
From: Orlando
Law degree: University of Florida
Appointed: By Chiles in 1994; spent 28 years in private practice. He is the chief justice.
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