A Board Certified Criminal Trial Attorney

In 1999, I became a board certified criminal trial attorney in the Florida Bar. Board certification means that I can hold myself out as an expert or specialist in the field of criminal law. To achieve certification. I had to show that I had handled at least 25 criminal trials, submit references from judges and fellow attorneys, and pass a difficult examination designed to test the breadth and depth of your knowledge of criminal law. Certification is the highest level of recognition by The Florida Bar of the competency and experience of attorneys in the area of law approved for certification. I took the extra step to be come board certified because I wanted my clients at the Public Defender's Office to have confidence that their attorney was top notch. When choosing your next elected Public Defender, I believe that you should vote for the only candidate who can demonstrate this extra level of competence in the field.

It was another great week of campaigning in Venice, Sarasota and Bradenton. Bob Sweat, Supervisor of Elections in Manatee County, spoke at the Bar Association lunch and gave a detailed overview of his work year. Representative Keith Fitzgerald continues to impress audiences in Sarasota and Venice with his detailed understanding of state government. WSLR held a musical beach picnic on Siesta Key that attracted a big crowd of fans. The Venice Jazz festival drew hundreds of people to Blalock Park on a warm Saturday afternoon. Riverview overpowered my Booker Tornadoes in the fourth quarter before thousands of people on a beautiful Friday night. The residents of Bay Village turned out to hear the Democratic candidates give their vision for the future. Joan Donnelly in Sarasota, and Lucille Burke in Bradenton hosted lovely receptions for my campaign. And I was at all of these places, trying to meet every last voter, especially since absentee ballots have already been mailed.

This week features several debates between myself and my opponent for Public Defender, Larry Eger. We will be at the Bradenton Kiwanis club at lunch on Tuesday, at the League of Women Voters "Food for Thought" on Wednesday morning, and then tape our television debate for local news channel SNN. I also have several receptions and fundraisers planned for the week, and in our spare time Regina and I might put up another sign or two. It is hard to believe that there are just 36 days until the election. Hopefully I will see you soon!