Crist asked the justices for an advisory opinion after William Abramson defeated Circuit Judge Richard Wennet in November's election. Abramson was declared the winner by 61 votes after a third recount.

In December, though, the Supreme Court suspended Abramson from practicing law for 91 days over a 2005 outburst in Wennet's court. Even after the 91 days are up, Abramson cannot practice law unless reinstated by the Florida Bar.

In a letter Wednesday to Crist, the justices wrote it's "common sense" that Abramson also cannot preside over a court he cannot practice before.