Public Defender | Circuit Judge

Allen: 1. Ensuring equal access to justice for all by providing professional exceptional legal representation regardless of socioeconomic status and implementing support services for clients to reduce recidivism.
2. Educating our community and our youth about the public defender’s critical role in the justice system as well as various laws, rights, and resources that impact our present and future.
3. Recruiting and hiring new staff while devising creative solutions to retain our experienced staff.

Desrochers: 1. Turn off the autopilot. I am ready, from day one, to actually lead the office and provide the leadership skills that have been missing for so long.
2. We need to train the next generation of support staff leaders and supervisors now, so they are ready when their supervisors are ready to retire. With my experience in corporate reorganizations, this is an easy fix, if you know how to do it.
3. Cut the felony caseload for each attorney in half. 140 cases per attorney is unreasonable.

Allen: Over the years as I worked my way up within the Public Defender’s Office, my mentors and those around me encouraged me to run for Public Defender in the future. They saw my level of dedication to my job, to our clients, and to the justice system. They recognized my empathy, my idealism, and my drive.I believe in our community and a bright future for it. I believe in public service, and the best way to serve our community is for me to serve as the next elected Public Defender.

Desrochers: A few months ago, I would have answered this question differently. After visiting the Public Defender’s Office twice, and having an extensive discussion with the current public defender, the office is heading towards a crisis. The current Public Defender never really made the office his own. As a result, the office has been essentially running on autopilot for the past 12 years. There is now a retirement gap issue on the admin side and a caseload problem on the attorney’s side.

Allen: The biggest challenge is retention of experienced staff who are facing unprecedented workloads. Tremendous population growth, coupled with the backlog of cases when Covid shut down the court system, have contributed to a crisis in indigent criminal defense. We must implement more technology to assist our staff, recruit high-skilled workers, and find creative work/life balance solutions. We also must assess clients’ reasons for encountering the legal system and see if we may connect them to services.

Desrochers: Doing what needs to be done with no extra money, at least in the very short run. With my experience in reorganization (where failing companies get no extra money), I know how to get the job done with no extra funds. Further, I have the leadership skills to actually lead in the office. That does not cost any more than my salary, which is already a part of the budget.

Allen: The Legislature should consider more comprehensive measures, looking at the root causes of violence instead of focusing on increased gun control. Legislature should increase funding of community-based violence prevention programs as well as providing resources to address untreated mental illness, substance use, and anger management issues. Legislature should devote resources that provide youth with mentorship and skill development, reducing the allure of violence and promoting safer communities.

Desrochers: From a public defender standpoint, recent Supreme Court cases tell us that, unless this regulation was of a type common prior to 1870, the Second Amendment probably won’t allow it. So, the Legislature would be very limited in what it could do.

Allen: Prosecuting juveniles can be counterproductive. These are children who are still developing mentally, and harsh sentences can hinder their rehabilitation and growth. We should focus on restorative justice and diversion programs that address the causes of criminal behavior and provide educational and mentorship opportunities. This promotes accountability, reduces recidivism, and helps integrate the children into society to grow into productive citizens, which is fiscally and morally responsible.

Desrochers: From a public defender standpoint, we defend indigents, which means nearly every juvenile offender. As a former president of a neighborhood association, community safety is more than law enforcement. It means improving the community, including maintaining properties and landscapes. The “broken window pane” theory is real. Communities that improve their buildings and landscapes see crime go down. Simply put, bad people stick out in good surroundings, so the bad people move elsewhere.

Abaray: 1. Preserve litigants rights to ensure fairness in all proceedings.

2. Scheduling my court docket to ensure days are full, and there is no wasted time.

3. Ensuring citizens constitutional rights are protected

Combee: As a Circuit Court Judge, I will follow the laws enacted by the State Legislature, listen to litigants, and render a neutral legal decision while insuring that cases are handled in an expeditious manner consistent with Florida laws and the US Constitution.

Abaray: I have seen a recent failure in judges. Many of which were appointed due to political connections but are not really qualified to be a trial judge. Trial judges should have extensive experience trying cases and know the evidence laws. My opponent does not have that experience which has led to many mistakes. Being a Board Certified Civil Trial lawyer since 2008, I have tried many many cases that have given me the expertise to be a great judge.

Combee: As a Circuit Court Judge it has been an honor and blessing to serve the citizens of Polk, Hardee and Highlands Counties where I can insure that our citizens receive fair trials; the law is followed; and a legally sound neutral decision is rendered expeditiously. Further, that our citizens are protected and educated about the Judical system.

Abaray: First, you have to follow the law. That said, it really is incumbent upon the prosecutor to seek the right charges against the violent youths. From there I would be confined by the sentencing guidelines. However, being tough on violent criminals would be a priority to ensure there is a deterrent for future criminals.

Combee: There are no easy answers; however, the Tenth Circuit does provide education to students who come as a group or individually to observe and learn about the Judicial system. High school students can participate in teen court acting as lawyers and jurors in real cases involving juveniles. However, both parents and juveniles will have to be educated to modify behaviors.

Abaray: Judge Dale Durrance ensured that each litigant was heard. He also was very respectful to litigants and/or attorneys.

Although he didn’t always agree with me, I felt I received my day in court.

Combee: Honorable Judge Elizabeth Kovachevich. As an intern in the federal internship program during law school, I grew to respect her and admired her court room demeanor. She was fair, listened to litigants and applied the law in a reasonable common sense manner.

Abaray: Fairness, you can see a theme here. I feel like most people do not like the courts because they can not be heard. Most people in my experience want their voice heard. If I hear everything (both sides) that will help guide me to the right decision.

Combee: My judicial philosophy is to follow the law and to equitably apply it in each case.