Campaign Phone
727-898-8000
Education
J.D. Stetson University College of Law 2002; Bachelors University of South Florida St. Petersburg 2000; Associates St. Petersburg Junior College 1999
Professional Experience
Managing Partner of Fiorentino Firm, P.A. Previously known as Ciarciaglino, Gell & Fiorentino, P.A. 2005-Present; Law Office of Nicholas J. Fiorentino 2003-2005; My experience includes family law, civil law, probate and criminal law. Pinellas County Clerk of the Court Mgmt. Intern 1999; Interviewer/Intern, Public Defender's Office 1998;
Public Service
I am a member of the Seminole Lake Rotary Club, I have served as secretary of the club for 3 years and on the board for 1 year. I am also on the Rotary District Finance Committee. I am 2nd Vice President of Hero to a Child f/k/a the Guardian Ad Litem Foundation. I have served on the IAC Committee at Madeira Beach Fundamental for over 9 years.
The role of the judge is to listen to all parties that appear before them, apply the law consistently and fairly in each case, and make a decision based on the law not their personal beliefs.
The most important qualities for a judge are impartiality, good temperament, and humility. Impartiality will lead to fair decisions, good temperament will lead to all parties being heard and treated with respect, and judges cannot know everything about every matter that may come before them, so with humility comes the ability to continue learning so that the correct decisions are made.
The greatest challenges facing the role of the judiciary is a shortage of out of court resources and delay in getting parties into the courtroom to be heard timely.
We have some very good public defenders and I think it is very important for judges assigned to the criminal bench to not only run their calendars, but be mindful of the attorneys appearing before them on both the Public Defender and the State Attorney side. Usually these are newer attorneys and they may need guidance and mentoring from the court and other more experienced attorneys. I think it is important for the Judge to be a monitor to make sure everyone is being adequately represented and take the necessary action when there is an issue with representation.
I believe the greatest obstacle to justice is financial. In all phases of the judicial process, there are costs that arise that not all parties can burden. Some of these costs include attorneys, experts, court reporters, and technology in the courtroom. It is important for the judiciary to be cognizant of these obstacles and also the resources available to assist when necessary.
Yes, I have tried approximately 35 bench trials where I have been the lead attorney and hundreds of hearings. I have tried family, civil, administrative and domestic violence injunctions cases. Because the majority of my practice has been in family law (no jury), we many times need to be involved in temporary relief hearings, these are mini trials but do not count in the above trial count. However, they are just as important as trials as you are calling witnesses, presenting evidence and asking the court to make a decision that the parties must abide by. I have participated in several administrative hearings and three jury trials.
I believe there are many important U.S. Supreme Court Decisions. I think one of the most important decisions regarding the role of the judiciary is Marbury v. Madison. This decision established the doctrine of judicial review. It gave the Supreme Court the authority to strike down laws that were unconstitutional recognizing the importance of the separation of powers our government is based on.
Some of the most effective methods of improving court procedures in recent years is the use of more technology. This includes allowing parties and witnesses to appear via zoom when necessary. This helps save parties time and money. I also believe changes to the civil rules of procedure to move cases forward in a faster manner are important as justice delayed is justice denied.
Some other changes that could be implemented include better calendar management to allow hearings to be set in a more timely manner, a better system to publish judicial opinions at the local level so the citizens are aware of what is happening in the courts, and a requirement for judges to spend time on outreach to the citizens to educate them on the process.
Campaign Phone
727-310-2908
Education
Juris Doctor
Professional Experience
Assistant State Attorney, Criminal Defense Attorney, Law School Professor, Civil Litigator, Business Owner (Habeas Porcus BBQ), Law Firm Owner
Public Service
Mentoring, Community Service, Food giveaways, Speaking engagements,
A judge is a public servant and the person counted on for the orderly resolution of disputes. Life-changing decisions are made within courtrooms and the responsibility of ensuring that the law is applied fairly and consistently rests on the judge’s shoulders. The greatest challenge in this role comes from the balance that must be struck because not everyone will be happy with the outcome of a case. Trust in our court system depends on each person leaving confident that the law was followed. To preside over a courtroom, a judge must have experience practicing within it. To apply the law fairly, a judge must have real-life perspective. To ensure that each party is heard and respected, a judge must be patient, unbiased, and empathetic.
While the Public Defender is responsible for the attorneys under her charge, judges can acknowledge the significant caseloads most Public Defenders carry by organizing courtroom appearances to be as efficient as possible while continuing to respect the rights of the parties. Maximizing efficiency within the courtroom increases the amount of time Public Defenders, and other attorneys, have to work outside of it. This means more time to review discovery, research, draft pleadings, and communicate with opposing counsel and clients. Increased productivity within the courtroom ensures Public Defenders have adequate time to work on their files and move cases to a resolution while also maximizing the use of government resources and time.
My professional and personal experience have taught me that one the greatest obstacles to justice is socio-economic status. More financial resources can bring more options in a criminal or civil case. Things like hiring experts, accident reconstructionist, or pursuing independent laboratory analysis and depositions can become expensive and because of that are sometimes obstacles that directly impact the outcome of a case.
I have taken over 40 cases to trial, including bench trials and jury trials. My trial experience includes cases involving local ordinance violations, misdemeanors, felonies, and civil litigation. The outcomes have included verdicts and sentences that impact livelihoods, families, employability, and have also resulted in incarceration.
Gideon v. Wainwright, 372 U.S. 335 (1963). In this case the Supreme Court handed down an order requiring all individuals charged with a felony to be represented by an attorney. Later cases broadened that precedent to also include misdemeanor criminal cases. This decision leveled the playing field in the criminal justice system and ensured that someone accused of a crime has a skilled advocate working on their behalf. In its opinion the Court focused on the peril of someone who is not guilty facing “the danger of conviction because he does not know how to establish his innocence.”
Communication and structure are the most effective methods for improving courtroom efficiency. This happens where the judge informs the lawyers about standards of practice, judicial preferences, and/or changes in daily courtroom operations. This lets the attorneys know what to do and what to expect, which creates a more efficient day in the courtroom. An additional method can be scheduling hearings that require a translator together. This practice is currently implemented in the traffic courts and is effective. Our current judges are efficient and dutiful, but with only a few translators available and many courtrooms for them to appear in each day, hearings can be more efficient if cases needing a translator are scheduled together.
