8th Judicial Circuit Bar Association

NEWS

2008 Judicial Poll Results – June 27, 2008

The lawyers of the Eighth Judicial Circuit have a vital interest in attracting to and retaining on the bench judges with the highest possible qualifications, so that our courts may have the utmost confidence and respect of the public and the Bar. To assist and educate the public about the circuit’s bench (including those judges not subject to voter approval), the Eighth Judicial Circuit Bar Association surveyed attorneys who practice law in our circuit. Our circuit is comprised of Alachua, Baker, Bradford, Gilchrist, Levy and Union counties.

The poll is intended to reflect the composite opinion of the local attorneys concerning the judicial qualifications of each of the judges listed. Attorneys were instructed to disregard political considerations, and vote his or her conscience and opinion. If an attorney did not have knowledge or experience as to a judge’s experience or capability in any one area sufficient to form a reasoned opinion, the attorney was instructed to vote “No Opinion” as to that area.

The poll captured the attorneys’ opinions in three broad categories: legal acumen, communication skills, and professionalism. Within each of these categories were more specific categories, as follows:

Legal Acumen:
1.	Demonstrates knowledge of the law;
2.	Listens to legal arguments;
3.	Comprehends legal concepts;
4.	Analytically reaches decisions in unsettled areas of the law; and is willing to make decisions based on established law.

Communication Skills:
1.	Able to articulate question and decisions;
2.	Written decisions are well reasoned;
3.	Written decisions are clear;
4.	Written decisions are concise; and
5.	Written decisions address issues raised.

Professionalism:
1.	Shows courtesy/civility;
2.	Shows patience/temperament;
3.	Shows industry/promptness;
4.	Has integrity/ethics;
5.	Shows impartiality; and
6.	Shows preparedness

While EJCBA is providing you with all of the results, please carefully note that the results become significantly less meaningful as the number of attorneys who responded to any single judge decreases. For example, if only 10 people responded to a judge, one voter has the ability to significantly impact the outcome making the overall results for that judge less reliable.

TO DOWNLOAD THE RESULTS OF THE JUDICIAL POLL CLICK HERE.