How much does a judicial candidate's party affiliation matter to your vote?

Very important
Somewhat important
Not at all important

If party affiliation does matter, which party affiliation would you prefer the judge to have?

Democrat
Republican

How important is it to you that a judge has prior experience as a practicing attorney?

Very important
Somewhat Important
Not at all important

Do you want a judge to have prior experience as a judge?

Yes, this is very important to me.
Yes, this is somewhat important to me.
This is not at all important to me.
No, it is somewhat important to me that a judge not have prior experience as a judge.
No, it is very important to me that a judge not have prior experience as a judge.

Do you want a judge have significant political experience?

Yes, this is very important to me.
Yes, this is somewhat important to me.
This is not at all important to me.
No, it is somewhat important to me that a judge not have prior political experience.
No, it is very important to me that a judge not have prior political experience.

Do you want a judge to have prior experience as a prosecutor?

Yes, this is very important to me.
Yes, this is somewhat important to me.
This is not at all important to me.
No, it is somewhat important to me that a judge not have prior experience as a prosecutor.
No, it is very important to me that a judge not have prior experience as a prosecutor.

Do you want a judge to have prior experience as a defense attorney?

Yes, this is very important to me.
Yes, this is somewhat important to me.
This is not at all important to me.
No, it is somewhat important to me that a judge not have prior experience as a defense attorney.
No, it is very important to me that a judge not have prior experience as a defense attorney.

How important is it to you that a judge has attended a highly-ranked law school?

Very important
Somewhat important
Not at all important

How important is it to you that a judge has attended a law school in your home state?

Very important
Somewhat important
Not at all important

The state bar association issues endorsements for candidates. How important would the association's endorsement be?

Strong positive influence on vote
Minor positive influence on vote
Not at all important
Minor negative influence on vote
Strong negative influence on vote

The Tampa Bay Times also issues endorsements for candidates. How important would their endorsement be?

Strong positive influence on vote
Minor positive influence on vote
Not at all important
Minor negative influence on vote
Strong negative influence on vote

When an appellate judge reviews a lower court decision, he or she is usually bound by established legal principles which control the outcome of the case. However, if the legal question is a close one, or the law is ambiguous, a judge has the authority to interpret the law. Over the years certain patterns can be discerned in a judge's voting record in these close cases. In the following types of cases, what side would you like your judge to vote on?

Cases involving questions of criminal procedure (for example, police authority to search, defendant's right to an attorney, Miranda issues)

In favor of the prosecutor's position.
In favor of the defendant's position.

How important is this issue to you?

Very important
Somewhat Important
Not at all important

Cases involving the interpretation of a criminal statute (for example, whether to interpret a statute to broadly cover a larger range of activity or whether to interpret it narrowly to cover a more limited range of activity).

In favor of a broader reading of the statute.
In favor of a narrower reading of the statute.

How important is this issue to you?

Very important
Somewhat Important
Not at all important

Cases involving personal injury allegedly caused by a corporation or public entity, in which an individual seeks compensation from the corporation or public entity (for example, issuing rulings which make it easier or harder to hold a corporation or public entity responsible, or deciding whether to limit the damages that can be awarded).

In favor of the corporation or public entity.
In favor of the individual suing the corporation or public entity.

How important is this issue to you?

Very important
Somewhat Important
Not at all important

Cases involving labor law, in which a worker or a labor union is suing a company or a public entity over a worker’s rights issue.

In favor of the corporation or public entity.
In favor of the individual suing the corporation or public entity.

How important is this issue to you?

Very important
Somewhat Important
Not at all important

Cases involving alleged medical malpractice by a physician, in which an individual seeks compensation from a physician (for example, issuing rulings which make it easier or harder to hold for the physician responsible, or deciding whether to limit the damages that are awarded).

In favor of the physician.
In favor of the individual suing the physician.

How important is this issue to you?

Very important
Somewhat Important
Not at all important

Cases involving alleged discrimination by a company, landlord, public entity or other organization (for example, issuing rulings which make it easier or harder to prove that discrimination has occurred).

In favor of the organization.
In favor of the individual alleging discrimination.

How important is this issue to you?

Very important
Somewhat Important
Not at all important

Cases involving disputes between a taxpayer and the taxing governmant entity involving the individual's tax liability (for example, issuing rulings which limit or expand the availability of a certain tax deduction, or challenging the tax assessment of an asset).

In favor of the government.
In favor of the taxpayer.

How important is this issue to you?

Very important
Somewhat Important
Not at all important

Courts have the authority to strike down statutes or regulations which violate the state or federal constitution. In close cases judges may disagree as to whether or not a statute or regulation should be struck down. In these close cases would you prefer a judge who usually votes to uphold the statute or regulation or votes to strike down the statute or regulation?

Votes to uphold the statute or regulation.
Votes to strike down the statute or regulation.

How important is this issue to you?

Very important
Somewhat Important
Not at all important

Courts generally reach the same decisions that previous courts have set out in prior court decisions, assuming the facts and the law of the new case are the same as the previous case. However, occasionally the original decision is found to be flawed or incorrect, and courts decide to overrule their own previous decisions. In close cases, judges may disagree as to whether to follow a previous decision or overrule it. In these close cases would you prefer a judge who usually votes to follow the previous decision, or votes to overturn the previous decision?

Votes to follow the previous decision.
Votes to overturn the previous decision.

How important is this issue to you?

Very important
Somewhat Important
Not at all important