ALLAHASSEE - During N. Sanders Sauls's 11-year tenure as a judge here, he has handled cases ranging from sentencing a man to death to handling a relatively minor local skirmish over a landfill transfer station. And now this: Deciding the presidency.
But those who know Sauls, assigned the case in a random draw, say they expect the Tallahassee Circuit Court judge to handle Vice President Al Gore's election contest of three Florida counties the same way he has handled all the other matters before him - with exceptional control over the lawyers involved.
During yesterday's initial, hourlong hearing in which a time frame was laid out for how the contest would proceed, Sauls showed his judicial demeanor, cutting off lawyers when he felt they went on too long, expressing exasperation when they could not agree on the most basic issues, and letting his dry humor and avuncular manner shine through.
''This is no different from any other litigation,'' Sauls drawled, ''other than it has some unusual aspects.''
Sauls told the lawyers that they have to work together to move the action along, and at one point he joked about the prospect of having to review thousands of ballots personally. Holding his spectacles up in the air, Sauls squinted and said, ''I need stronger glasses.''
The judge, described as ''right of center'' by one lawyer who knows him well, was appointed to the bench in 1989 by Republican Governor Bob Martinez.
However, lawyers for Gore and Governor George W. Bush of Texas downplayed any role the judge's political beliefs might play in his decision.
''I have no idea about his political stripes,'' said Bush lawyer Fred Bartlit. ''But he's in control. Absolutely, as you can see. He's very smart. He believes in professional courtesy.''
Sauls was born in 1941. He attended Florida State University and the University of Florida Law School and was admitted to the Florida Bar in 1967.
In 1998, Sauls, who was in charge of the trial courts in Tallahassee and five rural communities, quit as the chief judge in the 2d Circuit less than a week after leading a charge to fire a court administrator whom he reportedly viewed as disloyal. The administrator was a liaison between the court and the Leon County government and had questioned the fact that Sauls hand-picked a court worker.
Richard McFarlain, former general counsel of the state Republican Party who is now general counsel at Florida State University, said Sauls essentially quit as chief to become a trial court judge to avoid being forced to step down by the state's highest court for his handling of the personnel issue.
McFarlain said he would rate Sauls as a judge with a generally conservative bent who ''looks for legislative intent'' when interpreting laws.
''He will do it as quickly as he can but he doesn't like to be reversed, so he will take the time to come up with what he believes is the correct decision,'' McFarlain added. ''He's also smart enough to know that whatever he decides may well be on its way to another court real quick.''
