Campaign Phone
9047047327
I'm running for county judge out of a desire to preserve and to serve. By preserving I mean working to preserve the integrity of our judicial system by ensuring our laws are followed and that every litigant is treated with respect and afforded the due process they are entitled to under the law. I also firmly believe that judges are servants of the people. This is important to me as service has always been central to my life. As a judge I would ensure that matters that come before me are decided fairly and impartially. I would also serve the community by mentoring the next generation of attorneys. Such mentoring was pivotal to my legal career and I am committed to pass on my legal knowledge to others within our community.
The three most critical qualities I would bring to the bench would be experience, expertise, and patience. Regarding experience, I've spent my career in the courtroom, having represented thousands of clients, and tried 84 cases to verdict before juries. As such, I know what is expected of a county judge. Turning to expertise, I am recognized by the Florida Bar as an expert in Criminal Trial Law, an area of law a county judge presides over. Naturally, a level of expertise in areas of law a judge will handle is critical. Patience is just as important as the other two qualities for a judge to possess. A patient judge ensures that all matters are afforded the time they need and that each litigant's arguments are truly considered.
It is important to note that judges do not determine policy. However, one of the Florida Bar’s strategic goals is to ensure that our court system is open to all. The existence of this strategic goal is indicative that legal access is an issue. Now I began my legal career as a Public Defender in part to ensure that those in need in our community were well represented. However, disparities in legal access are even more pronounced in other areas of law. Thus, additional steps to improve access include the use of publicly available court approved legal forms, increasing pro bono expectations by bar members, increasing support and staff for legal aid programs, improving efforts to educate the public about the law, and harnessing technology.
Maintaining and improving the public's trust in our legal system is a duty that falls on every member of the judiciary. Thankfully there are many ways a judge can work to improve such trust. First, a judge must be committed to live their life free of controversy and malfeasance. Second, judges must be committed to treating all litigants with dignity and respect. This is key because a failure to do so clouds whether or not a proceeding was fair. Additionally, judges can improve public trust in our system by educating the public on how the system works. Finally, judges can more frequently invite members of the community in to observe the administration of justice. I contend efforts in these areas would only improve public trust in our courts.
Campaign Phone
9045252917
The decision to run for a judicial post is rooted in my commitment and love for community and service to my community.
Consistency, Efficiency, and a steady Temperament
I believe that more access to resources, funding for legal aid organizations, and more simplified and standardized self-help documents and procedures within the court system would help create better access.
I believe public trust can be maintained and improved by having consistent and fair rulings that are truly impartial without public opinion.
