Campaign Phone
727-899-2442
Education
I graduated from the University of Central Florida Suma Cum Laude in 2010 with Bachelor of Arts Degree in Political Science and Psychology. I then attended Stetson University College of Law obtaining my Juris Doctor in May 2013.
Professional Experience
I have been employed as an Assistant State Attorney in the 6th Judicial Circuit for almost 13 years. The last 5 years I have been a special prosecutor in the Gang Unit prosecuting major violent crime. I also work part time as Associate General Counsel for the Pinellas County Sheriff's Office processing Risk Protection Orders.
Public Service
My parents were deeply addicted to drugs. After the death of my father, I entered the foster care system at 14. This fostered in me a commitment to public service. I have spent my life volunteering; serving as a Guardian ad Litem, a Junior League member and serving as a board member and chair of the Boys and Girls Clubs of Greater Tampa Bay.
My judicial philosophy is textualism.
The qualities I find most important for the role of judge are integrity, demeanor and knowledge of the law.
Often judges find the greatest challenge to the role is maintaining impartiality and public confidence while deciding difficult and often controversial cases. This is not a challenge for me as I will apply the law fairly, regardless of my personal beliefs, public opinion, or political pressure.
A judge can monitor attorney performance and allow sufficient time for preparation. Granting reasonable continuances when necessary so attorneys can adequately investigate and prepare their cases.
Delay in the judicial process. Justice delayed can effectively become justice denied.
I have tried 78 jury trials and 2 bench trials.
Marbury v. Madison because it established judicial review and defined the judiciary's role as a co-equal branch of government.
The most effect methods are monitoring attorney performance, allowing sufficient time for preparation, ensuring meaningful participation and maintaining courtroom fairness and respect. I would recommend and implement all of these.
Campaign Phone
7273513074
Education
Juris Doctor - Florida Coastal School of Law. Bachelor of Science, Business Administration - St. Petersburg College.
Professional Experience
Assistant State Attorney - Sixth Circuit - Lead Trial Attorney.
My judicial philosophy is simple: apply the law as written, treat every person with dignity, and let the facts and the law, not personal preference, decide the outcome. I believe the words in a statute mean what they say, and it's not the judge's role to make law from the bench.
The most important qualities of a judge are a steady demeanor, a strong work ethic, deciding cases on the law and facts alone, and recognizing that people in that courtroom are often facing one of the most important matters of their life.
The greatest challenge today is maintaining trust in our judicial system. Trust is earned one case at a time, through judges who show up prepared, treat every matter seriously, and apply the law consistently.
Being a prosecutor in this circuit and working with public defenders on a daily basis, I see firsthand the effects of these significant caseloads. A judge can do a great deal by setting realistic scheduling, managing the docket efficiently to reduce the burden on overloaded public defenders, and most importantly paying attention to what is happening in their cases. Ultimately, a judge sets the tone for the courtroom. When a judge expects preparation and runs an orderly courtroom, it raises the standard for everyone in it.
In our circuit, high case volume is the greatest obstacle which in turn causes delay and loss of public trust. Delay in cases impacts the community's confidence in our judicial system and often causes further harm to victims, families, defendants, and everyone else who depends on our judicial process. A judge cannot solve every systemic problem but can address the issues every day by running an efficient courtroom and always remembering that behind every case number is a real person waiting on the justice system to work.
Yes. Over the course of my career as a prosecutor in the Sixth Circuit, I have tried 75 jury trials ranging from misdemeanors to capital felony offenses, as well as numerous bench trials.
An old one, Marbury v. Madison (1803). It established the principles for judicial review and gave courts the authority to say what the law is. The distinction is that the court's role is to interpret the law, not make it.
Advances in technology have improved our court system - from digital case management systems and e-filing systems to virtual hearings. Improved docket management and expansion of diversion programs for appropriate cases have also made significant differences. I think improvements in gathering case management data to schedule more realistically and avoid bottlenecks caused by high caseloads we see in this circuit would have a significant impact on court efficiency. Better data would mean better planning, which should lead to fewer delays.
