I make my case in the Bradenton Herald

The Bradenton Herald is allowing candidates to publish a 500 word piece on why they should be elected. Here is what I submitted on behalf of my campaign to be elected your Public Defender.

In a Panama City courtroom in 1961, Clarence Gideon asked the judge to appoint him an attorney because he was too poor to hire one. The judge denied his request, Gideon had to represent himself, and he was found guilty and sentenced to prison. From his cell he sent a handwritten letter to the United States Supreme Court that changed the course of history. In 1963, that court unanimously ruled that poor defendants must be provided attorneys in criminal cases.

I discovered Gideon's story while attending New College, and decided I wanted to work at the Public Defender's Office. I excelled at the Florida State University College of Law and could have taken almost any private position in the State of Florida. But for the last 23 years, I have dedicated my career to providing high quality, cost effective representation to our poorest citizens.

This November, you will elect the next Public Defender of the 12th Judicial Circuit (Sarasota, Manatee and DeSoto counties). When you cast your vote in this election, please remember:

I am the only candidate who is qualified to prepare, litigate and supervise death penalty cases. These are the most complex and expensive cases in the system. Without a qualified attorney, a case might be overturned on appeal at great cost, or worse yet, result in wrongful conviction or execution.
I am the only candidate who is a board certified criminal trial attorney. This means I have tried enough cases, received recommendations from judges and other attorneys, and passed a difficult examination, qualifying me as a specialist in criminal law.
I am the only candidate with extensive experience training attorneys throughout the State of Florida. I have taught Public Defender College for lawyers fresh out of law school, and have conducted death penalty training for today's most experienced attorneys.
I am the only candidate who received the NAACP Freedom Award for Public Service, and the Jim Slater award for professionalism in the practice of criminal law.

My campaign message is "making justice work." I will do this by accomplishing specific goals during my term in office:

I will improve the quality of legal representation through enhanced training of our attorneys;
I will focus our staff on jail issues and seek early resolution of undisputed cases;
I will work with our Judges and the Clerk of the Courts to improve the administration of justice and ensure representation of only the truly indigent;
I will closely monitor costs to make better use of available funds, and be a voice for common sense on local criminal justice issues.
I believe that our Public Defender must provide leadership in the courtrooms and in the community. I have devoted my entire professional life to the Public Defender's Office and have worked hard to establish a solid record of preparation and professionalism. Now I need your help. "This November, Please Remember, Vote Adam Tebrugge, for Public Defender." For more information, please visit my website at www.Adam4pd.info.