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Issues and Voices that Matter June 8, 2010

Judicial Review: Meet the Candidates

Hear remarks by non-partisan candidates standing for election or reelection as judges in the 18th Circuit Court District of Florida – which includes Seminole County – and candidates for Seminole County Judge. In the order in which they are heard, the candidates included Jeff Dowdy (represented by Bobbi Bullington) and Michael Rudisill for 18th Circuit Court/Seat 16; Carsandra D. Buie, Oscar Hotusing, and Jessica Recksiedler for 18th Judicial Circuit/Seat 3; Linda Schoonover and Clayton D. Simmons for 18th Judicial Circuit/Seat 24; Greg Hass, Debra L. Krause, Amir A. Ladan, and Frederic M. Schott for Seminole County Court/Group 5. Each candidate was given 90 seconds to introduce him or herself to voters and to highlight his or her qualifications and experience. Feature Length — 42:23


Photos courtesy - GK Sharman and CMF Public Media

Play

Key Participants

Jane Lane, president, League of Women Voters of Seminole County (photo - CMF Public Media)
Jane Lane
President, League of Women Voters of Seminole County
Kenneth Leffler
Retired Seminole-Brevard Circuit Judge

Judicial Candidates

(as provided to Seminole County Supervisor of Elections)

Circuit Court Judge — 18th Judicial, Group 16

Bobby Bullington representing candidate Jeff  Dowdy, Circuit Court Judge -- 18th Judicial, Group 16 (photo - GK Sharman)
Jeff Dowdy
Represented by Bobby Bullington

720 W. SR 434
Winter Springs, Florida 32708
(407) 327-5865
email | website

Michael Rudisill, candidate Circuit Court Judge -- 18th Judicial, Group 16 (photo - GK Sharman)
Michael Rudisill

P.O. Box 471472
Lake Monroe, Florida 32747
email | website

Circuit Court Judge — 18th Judicial, Group 3

Carsandra D. Buie, candidate, Circuit Court Judge -- 18th Judicial, Group 3 (photo - CMF Public Media)
Carsandra D. Buie

P.O. Box 2920
Sanford, Florida 32772-2920
(321) 363-3039
website

Oscar Hotusing, candidate Circuit Court Judge -- 18th Judicial, Group 3 (photo - GK Sharman)
Oscar Hotusing

(321) 610-8949
email | website

Jessica Recksiedler

P. O. Box 471366
Lake Monroe, Florida 32747-1366
(407) 497-2976
email | website

Circuit Court Judge — 18th Judicial, Group 24

Linda Schoonover, candidate Circuit Court Judge -- 18th Judicial, Group 24 (photo - GK Sharman)
Linda Schoonover

1301 South International Parkway, Suite 1041
Lake Mary, Florida 32746
(407) 865-3810
email | website

Clayton Simmons, candidate Circuit Court Judge -- 18th Judicial, Group 24 (photo - GK Sharman)
Clayton Simmons

website

Seminole County Court Judge - Group 5

Greg Hass, candidate Seminole County Court Judge, Group 5 (photo - GK Sharman)
Greg Hass

P.O. Box 5601
Longwood, Florida 32791
(407) 718-6415
email | website

Debra Krause, candidate Seminole County Court Judge, Group 5 (photo - GK Sharman)
Debra L. Krause

137 Academy Oaks Place
Altamonte Springs, Florida 32714
407-862-7110
email | website

Amir A. Ladan, candidate Seminole County Court Judge, Group 5 (photo - GK Sharman)
Amir A. Ladan

P.O. Box 195517
Winter Springs, Florida 32719-5517
(407) 383-9073
email | website

Fred Schott, candidate Seminole County Court Judge, Group 5 (photo - GK Sharman)
Fred Schott

2056 Hutton Point
Longwood, Florida 32779
(407) 491-9125
email | website

Pictures

Photo Credit – GK Sharmin and CMF Media

After you launch the slideshow below, click “Next” and “Previous” to rotate through the photos.

Retired Judge Kenneth Leffler addresses League of Women Voters of Seminole County members and guests at Hot Topics Luncheon (photo - CMF Public Media)

Additional Useful Links

Panel Discussion Summary

This summary is written by League member Heather Torre

On May 27, 2010, the Seminole County League of Women Voters held another in their series of Hot Topic luncheons. This luncheon focused on the Judiciary and was attended by judicial candidates for both the circuit and the county court level. The program began with remarks by Judge Kenneth Leffler. Judge Leffler retired after many years of service on the bench in Seminole County.

Judge Leffler’s introductory remarks focused on his criteria for selecting a competent judge. Judge Leffler gave the audience a set of six categories a voter should consider when evaluating judicial candidates. First, a candidate must have legal acumen. A judge needs to have the ability to make good, timely legal decisions. The judge should be a good listener and be “steeped’ in the law. Leffler pointed to a judge’s ability to reason and to establish a foundation for decision-making based on reason and not prejudice or outside influences. Second, voters should look at the reputation of a judicial candidate. Good character and honesty are important for those seeking the bench. Judge Leffler quoted the philosopher, Sir Francis Bacon, when he wrote of judges, “integrity is their portion and proper virtue.” Third, judges must be fair and open-minded. Leffler stressed the necessity of a judiciary unbiased and apolitical. Fourth, a judicial candidate should have an open history. Leffler noted that a wide and varied experience is helpful to a judge when deciding cases. Voters should also examine a candidate’s memberships in organizations, honors received, and prior service to the public. Finally, Judge Leffler noted the need for judicial candidates to have a judicial temperament. Judges, in Leffler’s analysis, should be even-tempered, attentive, courteous, mature, and punctual.

3 Responses to “Judicial Review: Meet the Candidates”

  1. Fred Schott says:

    Hi Steve. Would you please add my website information under my email address as you did for Mr. Hass and Mr. Ladan. It is FredSchottforJudge.com.

    Thank you very much and have a wonderful week.

  2. LeeW says:

    FYI
    Debra L. Krause
    for Seminole County Court Judge - Group 5
    Has a website.
    http://www.krause4judge.com/

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