Eight candidates for County and Circuit court judge positions got to show Plant City what they're all about on Tuesday, July 12.
In a public forum at the Dr. Martin Luther King Recreation Center, Gary Dolgin, Melissa "Missy" Polo, Isabel "Cissy" Boza Sevelin, Lanell Williams-Yulee, Carl Hinson, Robin Fernandez Fuson, Miriam Valkenburg and Shelton Bridges answered prompts from panelists Liesta Sykes, Joseph Williams and Ione Townsend, of the Plant City Area Democrats and Improvement League of Plant City. Candidates were allotted two minutes per turn, and each answered four questions. A formal question-and-answer session with the public was not held, as panelists cited that candidates would be unable to speak about ongoing cases and other matters, but each stuck around after the forum wrapped up to meet the constituents in the auditorium.
A public forum with candidates in the school board elections will be held Thursday, July 14, at the 1914 Plant City High School Community Building, 605 N. Collins St., and a forum with candidates for District 6 commissioner will be held Thursday, July 21, at the Glover School, 5110 Horton Rd. Polls open on August 30.
Prompt 1: Describe "judicial temperament."
Shelton Bridges (County Court Judge, Group 10) – "I believe in law, as in life, treat everyone the way you want to be treated."
Bridges noted that he had seen many judges lose their temper in the courtroom, which had negative impacts throughout, and that the judge is the person that sets the tone for the entire courtroom.
Miriam Valkenburg (County Court Judge, Group 10) – "Being patient and respectful … making sure your courtroom is run efficiently and effectively."
Valkenburg added that judges with the proper temperament exhibit a number of good character traits, especially showing respect to everyone in the courtroom.
Robin Fernandez Fuson (Circuit Court Judge, Group 3) – "The court has to maintain complete neutrality … you have to keep the ship running straight."
Fuson emphasized the need to treat everyone fairly, even if, for example, a judge has a negative personal opinion of a lawyer.
Carl Hinson (Circuit Court Judge, Group 3) – "If you have a bad temperament, it rocks the whole courtroom."
Hinson cited the 2015 incident of Brevard County judge John C. Murphy punching attorney Andrew Weinstock in a courthouse as an example. He also made a quip about his own temperament, stating he once took nine strokes on a par 3 in golf and didn't throw his club.
Lanell Williams-Yulee (Circuit Court Judge, Group 24) – "You have to watch your demeanor in the courtroom to let people know you care."
Williams-Yulee stated that, even if a judge says all the right things, body language can convince people in the courtroom that he or she doesn't really care about the case at hand, and isn't willing to be fair.
Isabel Boza Sevelin (Circuit Court Judge, Group 24) – "It's very imperative that judges … take control of their courtroom."
Sevelin, who frequently works with youths, stated that she has seen teenagers talk back to judges, which has caused tempers to flare. She stressed the importance of keeping calm at all times.
Melissa Polo (Circuit Court Judge, Group 24) – "The position demands respect, and you have to earn it."
Polo added that the courtroom belongs to the taxpayers, rather than the judges, and that any judge "should never forget that."
Gary Dolgin (Circuit Court Judge, Group 24) – "I've stood next to the client wondering what's going to happen to their children … I think the role of the judge is to put these clients at ease."
Dolgin, citing his experience as an attorney, stated that good judges make sure everyone in the courtroom feels they're being treated fairly, and make a point to explain their decisions.
Prompt 2: Define "impartiality."
Hinson – "It's the scales of justice: there is no preconceived notion that the color of one's skin makes them guilty."
Hinson added that a judge must fully understand the law before making a final decision.
Fuson – "It is what it is: impartial. Lady Justice is blind."
Fuson said that defendants are innocent until proven guilty and, citing his experience as both prosecutor and defense attorney, he has seen certain people get preferential treatment based on their background.
Valkenburg – "That is a principle in our system … it's upholding the law."
Valkenburg stated that judges must make decisions based on facts and evidence presented in the court, and that every person in a trial "is given the day in court that they deserve."
Bridges – "One thing all judges need to be aware of … is a lack of self-awareness."
Bridges said that, because every person has some type of bias, judges must be aware of their own biases, recognize their own shortcomings and relate to people.
Dolgin – "It's being fair to all sides."
Dolgin said that some people believe the system is rigged against them, and that it is important for judges to both understand this perspective and ensure that people believe they are getting a fair trial.
Polo – "It's really important that you have a good judge who's paying attention, and that the jury selected is a cross-section of the community."
Polo considers impartiality to be "crucial" in every courtroom.
Sevelin – "You want the judge to hear what you have to say, look at the evidence that is provided and then rule based on the evidence that is provided."
Sevelin said that treating people from all walks of life equally is "imperative," and that judges must "listen to everyone at all times to remain impartial."
Williams-Yulee – "Impartiality means consistency."
Williams-Yulee said that judges must be consistent in applying the "same law" to all people, regardless of who they are, and that doing so is simple – she added, "All you have to do is follow it (the law)."
Prompt 3: Does personal conduct carry over from one's personal life to their bench duties?
Williams-Yulee – "Absolutely … It's an intricate part of his or her life. A judge represents our community."
Sevelin – "People look up to judges … if judges are seen in public as drunk drivers, people are like, 'I can do it. I can get away with it.'"
Polo – "The profession demands respect … You want to bring confidence and trust into our court system."
Dolgin – "You are expecting people to follow the rules. By golly, you'd better follow the rules yourself."
Bridges – "Integrity means, at its essence, who you are in private is who you are in public, and vice versa."
Valkenburg – "Judges are role models in our community … You have to uphold those laws and you have to live that life."
Fuson – "I'm applying for a job right now. You people are my employers. This job is 24 hours a day, seven days a week."
Hinson – "(The candidates) are willing to give up their personal lives … we're under a microscope, the microscope of the JQC – the Judicial Qualifying Commission."
Prompt 4: Name three important traits to bring to the bench.
Polo – Community involvement, compassion and good morals.
Dolgin – Expertise, professionalism and ethics.
Fuson – Temperament, experience and a strong work ethic.
Valkenburg – Diversity in experience, balance and leadership.
Williams-Yulee – Service, a strong work ethic and integrity.
Bridges – Experience, intellect and demeanor.
Sevelin – Compassion, values and community involvement.
Hinson – Experience, life experience and legal experience.
Contact Justin Kline at jkline@plantcityobserver.com.
