Panel Discussion Summary

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.