VOTE411 Voter Guide

County judges make decisions on issues involving misdemeanors, traffic court, landlord tenant issues, small claims, and lawsuits under 50k.  It's effectively "the people's court." Judges should be impartial and fair to all who come before them, regardless of gender, race, or socioeconomic status, while treating everyone with fairness and respect.  A judge's rulings should follow the law consistently.  Judges should run their dockets efficiently to guarantee everyone is heard in a timely manner.  

Judges must follow the law and procedure as it is currently in place and are not typically allowed to advocate for changes. I believe they can stress the need for adequate funding to ensure that the wheels of justice turn at an appropriate pace. From my personal experience, increasing funding for Public Defender and State Attorney Offices would ensure that criminal defendants are not lost in the shuffle of heavy caseloads.

I have spent over 20 years in a courtroom, handling over 10,000 cases in front of dozens of judges. My criminal case experience covers the entirety of the justice system ranging from felonies, misdemeanors, appellate and juvenile law as well as working in our county’s mental health, veterans’, and drug courts. Beyond my criminal career caseload, I have handled civil suits, expungements, juvenile dependency, adoptions, traffic court, estate planning, and landlord tenant cases. Much of this work was proudly done pro bono. I also teach a criminal law class at the University of Florida, have mentored dozens of legal interns, and regularly judge mock trial competitions. I am actively involved in our community through numerous civic groups.

County court judges have jurisdiction over matters such as misdemeanors, traffic cases, small claims, landlord-tenant disputes, and other county civil cases. Beyond managing cases, a judge has the responsibility to listen carefully, apply the law fairly, treat every person with dignity, and make decisions based on the facts and the law. When county judges carry out that work with patience, integrity, and impartiality, they help foster public trust in the courts and in the rule of law.

From my point of view, one of the greatest challenges facing the justice system and the administration of justice is the public’s overall mistrust and misunderstanding of how the system works. I believe there should be a greater emphasis on civic education for both adults and young people, so the public better understands the role of the courts, the responsibilities of judges, and the importance of fairness, impartiality, and the rule of law. It is also important for judges, within the bounds of maintaining impartiality, to seek appropriate opportunities to correct misinformation and help the public better understand how the justice system operates.

My qualifications to serve as county court judge come from both legal experience and lived experience. For 28 years, I have served this community as an Assistant Public Defender, gaining extensive courtroom experience and a deep understanding of how court decisions affect individuals, families, and public trust. My perspective was also shaped by my mother and grandmother, who taught me the value of hard work, education, and not wasting the opportunities I had been given. Those experiences taught me discipline, accountability, and empathy. I believe that combination would allow me to serve with fairness, integrity, and a grounded understanding of the people who come before the court.