The Florida Circuit Courts are trial courts of general jurisdiction in Florida. The Circuit Court handles cases involving felonies, family law, civil issues, probate issues, juvenile cases, and appeals from County Court. The court provides due process and equal protection of the law to all who have business before them by applying the principles of equality, fairness and integrity in reaching decisions. Florida’s 10th Judicial Circuit covers Polk, Hardee and Highlands counties. It includes 28 judges at the circuit level. It is one of 20 judicial circuits in Florida. To qualify for the post of circuit judge, a candidate must be an elector of a county within the circuit and must have been admitted to the practice of law in Florida for the preceding five years. Judges are selected via nonpartisan election.Term: 6 YearsSalary: $200,836.08Click here to view the June 11th candidate forum: https://youtu.be/czq-KuiCnGU
Professional Experience
I have 20+ years of experience working with/representing people from all three counties from bench trials to jury trials, civil cases to criminal cases, adults and children. Thanks to the thousands of people that have trusted me to guide them through the system, I have personally handled almost every type of case that I could preside over as a Judge. I am a graduate of the Florida Bar Leadership Academy Class XI and admitted to practice in the Middle and Southern District federal courts.
Educational Qualifications
I have a Bachelors of Science in Computer Science (Spring 2003), Juris Doctor (Fall 2005), and Masters of Business Administration in Project Management (Fall 2013). I am also a graduate of the Florida Bar Leadership Academy Class XI.
Judicial Experience
None
Campaign Phone
863-370-0808
I have 20+ years of experience working with/representing people from all three counties in bench and jury trials, civil and criminal cases, adults and children. Thanks to the thousands of people that trusted me to guide them through the system, I have handled almost every type of case that a Circuit Judge presides over for people from all walks of life. Teaching, speaking, and interacting with the people of this district ensured that I can keep an open mind so that I’m not easy to unsettle, I can adapt to the people/situations presented, separate the relevant from the irrelevant, and make people comfortable in spaces/situations that are stressful. I have what’s needed to be a Judge that’s fair, just and able to treat everyone equally.
Being present in the community and talking/interacting with the people who are brought into/use the system the most helps me remain connected to humanity. It helps me recognize signs of poverty, mental discrepancies, and substance dependence. It allows me to see the human beneath and treat the person in front of me as a whole person and not just a number/issue to deal with. It ensures I never dismiss anyone who wants to be heard because they don’t look or sound like me. It makes me try to communicate in ways people understand, reminds me to check for literacy, and drives me to provide accommodations when I can. We have more in common than we have different and everyone deserves the same opportunities for a fair and just experience.
Resources aren’t readily/consistently available to all counties, often aren’t readily/consistently available in the same county and people often don’t know what resources exist. As one Circuit, everyone within the Circuit should have the same knowledge and access to resources regardless of which county they live in. Access to resources reduces the number of people in the system and the stress of the process for those who are. I hope to develop an easily searched/sorted central page where Circuit resource information is combined with links available on each county’s individual page. Local libraries and other community organizations would be equipped to ensure every person in the Circuit has resource access in a way that works for them.
Circuit Court Judges can provide opportunities for people to learn about and interact with the judicial system and its role within society without having to become part of the system itself. Virtual or live town hall type meetings where information is provided and questions encouraged can be scheduled along with open court days where people of all ages would be able to observe court with a Q&A session planned immediately after court. Interactive activities such as mock scenarios that people could participate in and informational videos and written material should always be available. People would learn what the system does without risk so that they understand their role within the system (jurors matter) and are able to use it wisely.
Courts must educate themselves/connect to the people served that have these issues. Regularly having open/frank conversations with facilities and people that serve these communities, the people that suffer from these conditions and the folks that love them provides information that can’t be learned second hand. We should be willing to be uncomfortable/inconvenienced if it means being able to better serve the people in front of us. These conversations allow courts to check that the programs and guidelines are working and assess if they need to be adjusted/replaced. Obtaining information directly and learning about these issues helps us see the person beneath the issue and makes it easier to be fair, held accountable, and keep people safe.
Professional Experience
17 years of trial experience as a litigator (estate planning, criminal, civil, personal injury)
Educational Qualifications
B.S in Marketing/ Management from USF & Juris Doctor from Barry University School of Law
Judicial Experience
Conducted 124 jury trials and 50 bench trials as a criminal and civil trial attorney before numerous judiciaries
Campaign Phone
8636401828
My 17 years practicing law before various judiciaries has given me a deep appreciation for the impact judicial decisions can have on individuals, families, businesses and the community. I'll approach the bench with responsibility, integrity and mindfulness of all who come before me.
United Way "Day of Caring" and involvement with my church has re-enforced my commitment to treat everyone who comes before me with dignity - no matter their station in life or. circumstances.
Docket management/ case volume and the availability to offer reasonable hearing dates are the biggest challenge facing the 10th. I believe creating "short matter" hearing dates twice a week in the mornings for hearings lasting 15 mins or less would be incredibly helpful in freeing up time for longer, more involved evidentiary hearings.
One of my favorite things to do is volunteer at community events and speak at local schools about my job. Educating our youth about their rights and responsibilities under the law (beginning from a young age) is crucial to ensure we leave an even stronger nation for future generations.
I think the 10th Circuit does a great job addressing these issues already, because we have created specific "courts" addressing these issues, (i.e., Behavioral Health Court, Mental Health Court, and Drug Court)
