Manatee County Court Judge Group 4: Connie Mederos Jacobs

Name: Connie Mederos Jacobs

Age: 67 years old

Family: Married to Lawrence A. Jacobs

Bio:

My personal background and my dedication to this community as well as my three decades of legal experience in the courtroom in both state and federal courts uniquely qualify me for this position. I am the most experienced candidate.

I am a second-generation bilingual Florida native. My grandparents immigrated from Cuba to Tampa to work in the tobacco factories of Ybor City. I was born in Ybor City. My dad drove taxis, waited on tables and retired after working in a warehouse for 30 years. My mother raised five children, waited on tables and worked clerical jobs. Neither one of my parents were able to finish high school because they had to work to help support their family.

In third grade my teacher told me that I was smart enough to go to college. I did not know what that was. I thought college was a destination. I learned that college meant a higher education. I was determined to pursue that dream. I worked two and three jobs at a time to enable me to afford to attend the University of South Florida in Tampa. I graduated with a double major in sociology and criminal justice. I was the first of my siblings to graduate from high school, college and law school.

I became a criminal justice planner and projects director in Pinellas County working with the State Attorney’s office. There I designed assistance programs for victims of crimes and counseling programs for domestic violence offenders. And it was there that I met and married my husband, Larry, 36 years ago. We have a son and two grandchildren.

My dream was to become an attorney, and at the age of 33 I applied for law school. My reputation is one of setting goals and being relentless in their pursuit. I attended two law schools in two cities year round without a break and graduated in two in a half years instead of the usual three years of study. I completed my law school studies in December 1988 and was sworn in the next year.

I have served on the board for Habitat for Humanity, United Way and Temple Beth Israel. I am former president of Florida Association of Women Lawyers (Manatee Chapter), former president of Inns of Court (Manatee Chapter), member of the National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers and Florida Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers and member of the Manatee County Bar Association. I have mentored aspiring attorneys in mock trial competition as well as teen court.

I was sworn in by Gov. Jeb Bush as the first Hispanic female to serve on the Judicial Qualifications Commission and served two terms.

There has never been to my knowledge a minority on the Manatee County bench. I am Hispanic and bilingual. Manatee County’s population is diverse and has at least a 25% minority population. It is time for diversity on the Manatee County Court.

Why I am running for this judgeship?

I am running for Manatee County Judge because I am the most qualified candidate. I have a love and passion for the rule of law that drives me in my pursuit of fairness in the courtroom. I have more than 30 years of trial experience in the county and circuit courts of Florida. I have been in Manatee County for 31 years years and have served the people of this county in civil, criminal and appellate divisions of the court. I have handled thousands of cases and have had more trials in 31 years than any other candidate. I also practice in the federal district courts of Florida as well as in the federal district court in Kentucky, Tennessee and Washington, D.C. I have handled every kind of case from simple noise ordinance complaint to murder. I have participated in oral argument at the appellate level and handled cases before a grand jury as a prosecutor and as a defense attorney. I have practiced law in the family, juvenile, circuit civil and in administrative review boards. I have had cases in every circuit in the state of Florida and in all three federal districts of Florida. No other candidate has this experience.

What qualifies me to be a county judge more than the opponents?

My 30 years of trial experience in the county court of Manatee County. My 30 years of trial preparation, researching the applicable rules and case law, challenging witnesses and presenting witnesses and evidence at trial.

I was a prosecutor for four years before entering private practice in 1993. Upon entering private practice, I represented plaintiffs and respondents, victims and defendants, husbands and wives as well as entire families who found themselves in dependency court.

I have had the good fortune to appear before some of the best judges in the state of Florida who demonstrated patience, respect, knowledge of the law and empathy. I have also had the misfortune to appear before some judges who have fallen woefully short of those essential characteristics and as a result damaged the reputation of the court. I have learned a great deal from those experiences, and I believe I possess the characteristics required to be an honorable judge.

What do I consider to be essential characteristics of a good judge?

Above all, a judge must show respect to the people who appear before her. Most citizens are in court because their presence is required. The stress and anxiety leading up to their day in court is significant.

A judge who is patient and respectful, listens carefully to the parties, reviews the testimony and evidence, and knows how to apply the law demonstrates the essential characteristics of an excellent judge.

Most litigants or parties to a case understand that someone will prevail and someone will not. When the parties leave the courtroom knowing that their case was treated fairly and with respect, no matter the outcome, the judge has done her job.

The judicial bench is not a throne from which to dictate, but rather it is the ultimate place of public service to the people who depend on her to make the right decisions that will affect that person’s life, liberty or property.

Describe my courtroom trial experience:

As previously stated in more than three decades of trials I have tried cases as a prosecutor and as defense counsel ranging from a simple trespass to murder cases in the Florida courts. I have had family law and juvenile trials. I have had small claims cases and homeowner association cases. I have tried drug trafficking cases, violation of the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act, Fraud and Sex Crimes in the Federal Courts. I have tried more cases in more than 30 years all over the state of Florida than any other opponent. For all of the above I believe I am the best candidate for Manatee County Judge.