TODAY, IT'S THE COUNTY JUDGES TURN TO SEE THEIR GRADES

Every two years, the Lakeland Ledger surveys attorneys from throughout the Tenth Judicial Circuit, which covers Polk, Highland, and Hardee counties, asking them to rank county and circuit judges on a 1-to-10 scale in four catagories: Legal ability, communication ability, written decisions, and professional conduct. Respondents, who remain confidential, are also able to submit written comments.

Yesterday, the Ledger published the results of it's survey regarding circuit judges. Today, it's the county judges' rankings that are highlighted.

At the top of the list for the fourth consecutive survey is Judge Michael E. Raiden, who averaged a score of 8.24. Judge Anne Kaylor ranked lowest on the list with a score of only 5.91. Two new judges appointed to the county bench last year were not included in this survey.

The Ledger has a feature piece on each judge with more detailed information on how they scored in the various catagories, along with some other written comments from among the 246 attorneys who responded.