Crist appoints Dannheisser to Escambia bench

Gov. Charlie Crist has picked Santa Rosa County Attorney Tom Dannheisser to fill the Escambia County judge's seat vacated by former Judge David Ackerman when he retired last year.

Dannheisser, 54, of Milton, has been the county's attorney since 1986 and had been assistant county attorney in Escambia County from 1983-1986. Dannheisser served as a prosecutor with the 15th Judicial Circuit of Florida from 1982-83 and with the 12th Judicial Circuit from 1981-82. He graduated from the University of Florida with his bachelor's degree and his law degree. Dannheisser joins four other county judges in Escambia County. County judges deal mostly in traffic offenses, misdemeanors crimes and small monetary disputes.