[MUSIC] >> WELCOME TO THE FIFTH IN THE SERIES OF POLITICAL CANDIDATE FORUMS IN ADVANCE OF THE NOVEMBER 5 GENERAL ELECTION.

THIS FORUM IS A COOPERATIVE OF THE LEAGUE OF WOMEN VOTERS OF TALLAHASSEE.

THE TALLAHASSEE DEMOCRAT AND WFSU PUBLIC MEDIA.

OUR CANDIDATES TODAY OUR RUNNING FOR LEON COUNTY JUDGE SEAT FOUR POSITION.

I AM SUZANNE SMITH FROM WFSU PUBLIC MEDIA.

I'M JOINED BY JIM FROM THE TALLAHASSEE DEMOCRAT AND BARRY MONROE FROM THE LEAGUE OF WOMEN VOTERS OF TALLAHASSEE.

WE WILL BE QUESTIONING THE CANDIDATES ON VARIOUS TOPICS OF INTEREST TO THE VOTING PUBLIC.

>> AND THE CANDIDATES FOR LEON COUNTY JUDGE SEAT FOUR ARE FROM LEFT TO RIGHT ROBERT CHRCHILL AND LASHAWN RIGGINS.

AND REMINDER FOR THOSE WATCHING US ON SOCIAL MEDIA, PLEASE HIT THE SHARE BUTTON AND HELP ALL OF YOUR FRIENDS SEE TODAY'S DISCUSSION LIVE.

FOR THOSE OF YOU AT HOME HERE ARE HOW THESE FORMS ARE GOING TO WORK.

WE ARE GOING TO ROTATE WHICH CANDIDATE GETS TO ANSWER FIRST.

WE WILL HAVE A LOT OF QUESTIONS SO WE ARE GOING TO ASK THE CANDIDATES TO PLEASE KEEP YOUR ANSWERS TO ABOUT 60 SECONDS AND SOMETIMES SHORTER FOR FOLLOW-UPS.

WE WILL LET YOU KNOW AND WE WILL KEEP TIME.

WE HAVE A BELL WHICH WILL RING WHEN YOUR TIME IS UP SO YOU DO NOT HAVE TO COME TO A DEAD STOP WHEN YOU HEAR THE BELL.

IF YOU HEAR THE BELL GO AHEAD AND FINISH HER SENTENCE AND WE WILL MOVE ON.

>> IF YOU'RE WATCHING LIVE FROM STATES BROKEN YOU A QUESTION FOR THE CANDIDATES GO AHEAD AND TYPE THEM INTO COMMENTS.

WE WILL GET TO AS MANY OF THEM AS WE CAN.

TIME IS VERY LIMITED SO YOU CAN IMPROVE YOUR CHANCES OF YOUR QUESTION AND MAKE IT BRIEF AND POLITE.

MAKE IT APPLICABLE TO ALL CANDIDATES.

ANY QUESTIONS BEFORE WE START?

LET'S JUMP INTO THE FIRST QUESTION.

>> OUR FIRST QUESTION IS IF ELECTED, HOW WILL YOU TRANSITION FROM ADVOCATING FOR THE RIGHTS OF YOUR CLIENT TO ADVOCATING FOR IMPARTIAL JUSTICE?

YOU HAVE ONE MINUTE EACH AND WE WILL START WITH MR. CHURCHILL.

>> Robert Churchill: THANK YOU ALL FOR THIS FORUM AND THE OPPORTUNITY TO SPEAK TO YOU AND THE VOTERS.

IF ELECTED AND BECOME A JUDGE PART OF THE JOB OF AN ADVOCATE AS AN ATTORNEY ON BEHALF OF CLIENTS IS TO UNDERSTAND YOUR CLIENT'S PERSPECTIVE TO UNDERSTAND THE RULES AND LAWS THAT APPLY TO THE CASE AT HAND.

AND TO UNDERSTAND AND ANTICIPATE THE POSITION THAT YOUR ADVERSARY AND OPPONENT WILL BE TAKEN.

THIS IS THE ADVERSARIAL THAT WE ARE WORKING AND WE WILL DECIDE A JUDGE OR JURY WILL ULTIMATELY DECIDE THE CASE.

IN PART OF BEING A COMPETENT ATTORNEY IS UNDERSTAND BOTH SIDES.

WHEN YOU ACT AS A JUDGE, YOU'RE NOT TAKING ONE OF THE SITES YOU ARE WEIGHING AND MEASURING AND THAT IS HOW I TRANSITION TO IT.

IT IS LISTENING MORE THAN I TALK AND HEARING THE ARGUMENTS MAKING THE RULING AND THE DECISION.

>> MS. RIGGINS?

>> LaShawn Riggans: THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR THE OPPORTUNITY TO BE WITH YOU GUYS AGAIN.

I APPRECIATE THE OPPORTUNITY TO SPEAK TO THE VOTERS AND THE WORK THAT YOU ALL DO IN THE COMMUNITY ADVISING AND INFORMING THE VOTERS SO THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR THAT.

FOR ME, I DO NOT THINK THERE WILL BE A TRANSITION.

THE TYPE OF LAW THAT I PRACTICED CURRENTLY IS THE GOVERNMENT LAW.

THE GOVERNMENT IS MY CLIENT.

ESSENTIALLY AS A JUDGE, YOU DON'T HAVE A CLIENTS.

YOUR JOB IS TO WEIGH THE EVIDENCE AND MAKE A DECISION BASED ON THE FACTS THAT ARE BEFORE YOU APPLY THE RULE OF LAW AS APPLICABLE.

AS A JUDGE, YOU FOLLOW THE LAW AND YOU MAKE THAT DECISION.

THERE IS NO ONE TO ADVOCATE FOR EXCEPT FOR JUST -- JUSTICE ITSELF.

>> AMONG OTHER THINGS COUNTY JUDGES HERE MISDEMEANORS, HARMS PUNISHABLE BY NO MORE THAN ONE YEAR IN JAIL AND SOME DISPUTES INVOLVING $50,000 OR LESS.

TO WHAT EXTENT HAVE YOU PRACTICE LAW RELEVANT TO THE CASELOAD YOU WOULD UNDERTAKE AS A COUNTY JUDGE?

WE WILL START OUT WITH MRS. RIGGINS PLEASE.

>> LaShawn Riggans: THANK YOU FOR THE QUESTION.

AT SOME POINT IN MY CAREER I HAVE BEEN A PROSECUTOR AND A CIVIL LAWYER.

I HAVE BEEN A TRIAL LAWYER MOST OF MY CAREER.

SO MY CAREER BEGAN WITH ME BEING ASSISTANT STATE ATTORNEY.

I BEGAN MY CAREER IN COUNTY COURT.

I HAVE HANDLED ALL OF THE TYPES OF CASES THAT COME BEFORE THE COURTS AND THE CRIMINAL SENSE FROM DUIS TO PETTY THEFT MISDEMEANOR, DOMESTIC VIOLENCE AND BATTERY AND ALL OF THE TRESPASS CASES.

I HAVE EXPERIENCE HANDLING THOSE CASES.

CURRENTLY, AS A GOVERNMENT LAWYER AND THE FORMER DEPUTY COUNTY ATTORNEY A LOT OF TIMES WE WOULD HAVE DISPUTES THAT COME BEFORE US WHERE CITIZENS HAVE MADE A COMPLAINT OR THERE HAS BEEN A DISPUTE BETWEEN ONE OF OUR TENANTS.

OR A PLETHORA OF DIFFERENT TYPES OF CASES WHERE THE AMOUNT OF DAMAGES IS $50,000 OR LESS.

I HAVE DEALT WITH THOSE CASES AS WELL.

>> I HAVE BEEN DEALING WITH CONSUMER AND SMALL BUSINESSES HERE IN LEON COUNTY AND AROUND THE STATE.

I HAVE PRIOR TO OPENING THAT OFFICE IN THE EARLY YEARS OF MY CAREER WHEN I FIRST OPEN MY OFFICE, I DID EVERYTHING THAT CAME ALONG.

I DID FAMILY LAW, APPEALS, ADMINISTRATIVE LAW UNTIL I FOCUSED MY ENERGY AND PRACTICE ON CIVIL LITIGATION WHICH IS WHERE I SPEND MOST MY TIME NOW.

MY EXPOSURE TO CRIMINAL LAW AS IT OCCURS IN COUNTY COURT HAS TO DO WITH THE OFFICE SPACE THAT I SHARE WITH A DUI LAWYER NOW.

A CONSULT WITH HIM ON HIS CASES.

THE EVIDENCE CODE THAT IS USED IN MY CASES IS THE SAME AS IS USED IN CRIMINAL LAW.

MY DEPTH OF EXPERIENCE AND KNOWLEDGE IS IN CIVIL THANK YOU VERY MUCH.

NEXT QUESTION FLORIDA'S CODE OF JUDICIAL CONDUCT SAYS THE JUDGE IS ENCOURAGED TO ENGAGE IN ACTIVITIES TO IMPROVE THE LAW, THE LEGAL SYSTEM AND THE ADMINISTRATION OF JUSTICE.

IF YOU ARE ELECTED AND WHAT OUTSIDE ACTIVITIES WOULD YOU ENGAGE IF ANY?

MR. CHURCHILL YOU WILL GO FIRST FOR ONE MINUTE.

>> Robert Churchill: WHAT I WOULD PROBABLY END UP DOING IS DOING MORE OF THE SAME WORK I'M DOING NOW AND VOLUNTEERING IN THE COMMUNITY AND WORKING AND ENGAGING WITH ACTIVITIES ON A PRO BONO BASIS.

MOST OF THE PRO BONO WORK I AM DOING IS DISPENSING LEGAL ADVICE.

THERE'S PLENTY OF WORK THAT CAN BE DONE IN THE COMMUNITY VISITING SHUT INS FOR EXAMPLE MEALS ON WHEELS I HAVE DONE BEFORE IN MY TIME HERE IN TALLAHASSEE THAT I WILL CONTINUE TO ENGAGE IN.

THAT HAS NOTHING TO DO WITH LEGAL WORK IT IS JUST GETTING INVOLVED.

AND I WILL LIKELY CONTINUE TO DO THEM.

>> THANK YOU.

MS. RIGGINS?

>> LaShawn Riggans: I AM CURRENTLY INVOLVED IN SEVERAL VOLUNTARY BAR ASSOCIATIONS WHAT WE MENTOR COLLEGE STUDENTS BOTH THAT ARE IN LAW SCHOOL AND THOSE THAT HAVE ASPIRATIONS TO FOLLOW THE LAW IN A LATER STAGE FOR UNDERGRADUATES.

I'M CURRENTLY MENTOR AND I'M ALFRED KAPPA ALPHA SORORITY AND WE DO A LOT OF WORK IN THE COMMUNITY.

I AM A PASTOR WITH MY CHURCH AND OVER THE OUT REACH MINISTRIES SO I'M CONSTANTLY IN THE COMMUNITY WORKING WITH HOMELESS, WORKING WITH THE VETERANS AND THAT IS MY PASSION.

SO I SPENT A LOT OF TIME WHEN I AM NOT PRACTICING LAW BEING INVOLVED IN THE THINGS THAT ARE GOING ON IN THE COMMUNITY.

I VOLUNTEER WITH TEAM CORE AND CLASSROOM TO KAREN PROGRAM AT PACE FOR GIRLS.

IN THE MIDDLE SCHOOL I PLAN ON CONTINUING TO DO THOSE THINGS.

>> THANK YOU VERY MUCH.

SUZANNE?

>> SURVEYS HAVE SHOWN THAT CLOSE TO 90% OF LEON COUNTY RESIDENTS BELIEVE INEQUITY EXISTS IN OUR JUSTICE SYSTEM.

HOW WOULD YOU ADDRESS THAT PERCEPTION?

MRS. RIGGINS YOU CAN GO FIRST FOR ONE MINUTE.

>> LaShawn Riggans: CAN YOU REPEAT THE QUESTION?

>> SURVEYS HAVE SHOWN 90% OF LYON COUNTY INEQUITY EXISTS IN THE JUSTICE SYSTEM HOW WOULD YOU ADDRESS THAT PERCEPTION?

>> LaShawn Riggans: I THINK YOU ADDRESS THAT PERCEPTION BY BEING FAIR AND BEING EQUITABLE.

AS YOU START AS A JUDGE AND AS PEOPLE GET FAMILIAR WITH YOU AND YOU MAKE FAIR AND IMPARTIAL RULINGS AND YOU GIVE THE PARTIES THE OPPORTUNITY TO BE HEARD.

I THINK WORD TRAVELS IN THE COMMUNITY AND PEOPLE START TO DISCUSS THAT JUDGE RIGGINS WHEN YOU GO BEFORE HER EVEN THOUGH YOU DO NOT GET THE OUTCOME YOU WOULD'VE LIKED HOW YOU FEEL LIKE YOU WERE HURT AND SHE APPLY THE LAW AND SHE WAS FAIR IN HER DECISION.

I THINK AS THE WORD SPREADS, IT STARTS TO BUILD TRUST AGAIN WITHIN COMMUNITY THAT THERE ARE STILL JUDGES ON THE BENCH AND HANDLE CASES ON A CASE-BY-CASE BASIS.

THAT THEY LISTEN, THAT THEY HEAR THE PARTIES, THAT THEY APPLY THE LAW AND THEY APPLY IT FAIRLY.

>> MR. CHURCHILL HOW WOULD YOU ADDRESS THAT PERCEPTION?

>> Robert Churchill: I AGREE WITH MY FRIEND MS. RIGGINS THE FIRST OF ANY JUDGES TO BE FAIR TO GET THE PROBLEM IS AND TO ANSWER YOUR QUESTION IS THAT EVERY JUDGE WOULD SAY THAT THEY ARE BEING FAIR.

THERE IS STILL A DISCONNECT IF THERE 90% OF PEOPLE SAY THERE ARE INEQUITIES INVOLVED IN THE SYSTEM.

THE JOB OF THE COUNTY COURT SPECIFICALLY AND OF ANY JUDGE IS TO EXPLAIN WELL WHAT IS GOING ON.

THE COUNTY COURT THAT IS ACUTELY IMPORTANT AND THAT IS BECAUSE MOST PEOPLE'S INTERACTION WITH THE COURT SYSTEM AND GENERAL PUBLIC IS GOING TO BE IN COUNTY COURT.

THIS COURT REALLY SERVES IN ESSENCE AS AN AMBASSADOR TO THE PUBLIC.

IT IS THE JOB OF THE JUDGE TO RELAY HERE IS WHAT IS GOING ON IN HERE IS WHY I HAVE RULED AS I HAVE TO EXPLAIN IT TO MAKE SURE EVERYBODY WHETHER THEY AGREE WITH IT OR NOT I HAVE TO RULE IN SOMEBODY'S FAVOR AND THIS IS WHY AM DOING IT.

THAT REQUIRES COURTESY, DIGNITY AND RESPECT EVERYBODY INVOLVED.

IT MAKES PEOPLE SEE THE BASIS FOR THE RULING WHETHER THEY LIKE IT OR NOT.

>> THANK YOU.

>> IN A LOCAL JAIL THE POPULATION OF BLACK MALES IS DOUBLE THAT OF WHITE MALES, WHAT CAN YOU DO IF ELECTED TO REDUCE THE RATE OF INCARCERATION FOR BLACK MALES?

CRITICALLY FOR THOSE UNDER THE AGE OF 40.

YOU EACH HAVE ONE MINUTE AND WE WILL START WITH MR. CHURCHILL.

>> Robert Churchill: IT IS A CONCERN AND A PROBLEM BASICALLY JUST LOOKING AT THE NUMBERS AND POPULATIONS OF PEOPLE WHO ARE AFFECTED BY CRIMINALITY.

BASICALLY WHAT HAS OCCURRED AND THE WAY THEY ARE CHARGED IN THE WAY THEY ARE TREATED IN THE COURT SYSTEM CREATES THIS POPULATION IN BALANCE TO WHICH YOU HAVE REFERRED.

WHAT TO DO ABOUT IT IS A COMPLICATED QUESTION FOR A JUDGE.

THAT IS BECAUSE JUDGES DON'T PLAY A ROLE IN CHARGING THOSE ACCUSED OF CRIMES.

THERE ARE PROGRAMS THAT THE JUDGE CAN CERTAINLY ENCOURAGE THE PARTIES TO EXPLORE TO LOOK INTO.

PLEA AGREEMENTS THAT A JUDGE CAN OR CAN'T REJECT ENCOURAGING PARTIES TO LOOK INTO OTHER AVENUES TO AVOID A CYCLE OF CRIMINALITY THAT CREATES A FEEDBACK LOOP AND GET WORSE.

THAT IS THE ROLE OF THE JUDGE.

>> MRS. RIGGINS?

>> LaShawn Riggans: UNFORTUNATELY, IT IS THE LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICERS THAT MAKE THE ARREST.

THEY HAVE THE DISCRETION TO ARREST OR NOT TO MAKE THAT ARREST.

THE STATE ATTORNEY'S OFFICE HAVE THE DISCRETION TO BRING THE CHARGES OR NOT TO BRING THE CHARGES.

ONCE A JUDGE GETS INVOLVED THE ARREST HAS ALREADY HAPPENED.

AT THAT POINT OUR JOB IS TO LISTEN TO THE LAW AND EVIDENCE THAT IS PRESENTED BEFORE US AND TO MAKE A RULING BASED ON THE EVIDENCE AND THE FACTS THAT ARE BEFORE US.

HOWEVER, I DO BELIEVE THAT THE JUDGE CAN HAVE A ROLE IN EDUCATING LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICERS AND MEMBERS OF THE STATE ATTORNEY'S OFFICE AND THE PUBLIC DEFENDERS OFFICE TO WORK TOGETHER COLLABORATIVELY TO EXERCISE SOME OF THE DISCRETION THAT THEY HAVE TO REFER DEFENDANTS TO DIVERSION PROGRAMS AND TO DO DIFFERENT TYPES OF PROGRAMS THAT WILL PREVENT THEM FROM GETTING IN FRONT OF THE COURT YOU BOTH.

NEXT QUESTION, THE TERM JUDICIAL ACTIVISM OFTEN REFERS TO JUDGES RULING ON ISSUES BASED ON THEIR POLICY VIEWS.

RATHER THAN STRICTLY ON THE LAW.

GENERALLY SPEAKING WHAT IS YOUR VIEW OF JUDICIAL ACTIVISM?

DO YOU AGREE OR DISAGREE WITH IT AND WHY?

I AM GOING TO ASK MS. RIGGINS TO ANSWER FIRST AND ONE MINUTE.

>> LaShawn Riggans: THANK YOU.

I AM NOT A JUDICIAL ACTIVIST.

I AM A COMMON SENSE APPROACH TYPE OF PERSON.

I DO NOT BELIEVE AS A JUDGE YOU SHOULD BE PUTTING YOUR OWN VIEWS INTO MAKING DECISIONS IN A CASE.

REGARDLESS OF MY POLITICAL VIEWS, THEY HAVE NO PLACE IN THE COURTROOM.

SO FROM THAT STANDPOINT, I DO NOT AGREE WITH JUDICIAL ACTIVISM AND WHERE YOU'RE LETTING YOUR POLITICS OR YOUR BELIEFS OR YOUR MORALS INFLUENCE THE DECISION OF THE LAW.

THE LAW IS THE LAW AND IT SHOULD BE APPLIED AS SUCH.

>> MR. CHURCHILL SAME QUESTION.

>> Robert Churchill: JUDICIAL ACTIVISM IS A JUDGE KNOWING AND SEEING THE LAW AS WRITTEN IN DECIDING IT DOESN'T REALLY APPLY HERE IN MY OPINION AND I WANT TO DO SOMETHING ELSE.

THAT IS A PROBLEM BECAUSE IN THAT SITUATION, YOU HAVE A JUDGE ESSENTIALLY EXERCISING A VETO OVER THE POLICYMAKING PREROGATIVE OF THE LEGISLATURE WHO WROTE THE STATUTE.

THAT IS NOT THE ROLE OF A JUDGE.

THIS SYSTEM WORKS BEST WHEN JUDICIAL VIEWPOINT AND JUDICIAL APPLICATION OF THE LAW IS UNIFORM SO THAT ATTORNEYS AND PARTIES BEFORE THE COURT UNDERSTAND WHAT THE LAW IS AND HOW THE JUDGE WILL APPLY IT.

THAT IN MY VIEW IS THE ROLE OF THE JUDICIARY IS TO APPLY THE LAW.

THERE'S PLENTY OF WORK TO DO IN PLANNING TO INTERPRET AND APPLY WITHOUT USURPING THE ROLE OF THE POLICYMAKER WHICH IS THE LEGISLATURE.

THAT WOULD BE JUDICIAL ACTIVISM AND THAT IS WHAT I WILL AVOID.

>> I WANT TO DRIVE THIS POINT A LITTLE BIT FURTHER SO I'M GOING TO ASK A FOLLOW-UP AND WE WILL SAY THAT YOU HAVE 30 SECONDS EACH TO RESPOND TO THIS.

HOW WOULD YOU HANDLE A CASE WHERE YOU STRONGLY DISAGREE WITH THE LAW OR THE PRESIDENT BUT REQUIRED TO FOLLOW IT?

LET'S START WITH MS. RIGGINS.

>> LaShawn Riggans: I WOULD FOLLOW THE LAW.

ME DISAGREEING WITH IT IS IRRELEVANT.

THE LAWS ON THE BOOKS AND IT IS NOT MY JOB AS THE JUDGE TO IGNORE IT.

IT IS TO FOLLOW IT.

IN YOUR LEGAL CAREER THERE MAY BE A LOT OF THINGS THAT YOU DISAGREE WITH.

THERE MAY BE A LOT OF LAWS THAT YOU DISAGREE WITH BUT UNTIL THEY ARE CHANGED BY THE LEGISLATURE, IT IS THE LAW OF THE LAND AND THAT IS YOUR JOB AND YOUR RESPONSE ABILITY TO FOLLOW IT AS SUCH.

>> MR. CHURCHILL?

>> Robert Churchill: I AGREE.

THE LAW HAS WRITTEN SAYS THIS AND I DISAGREE WITH IT BUT THE LAW AS WRITTEN IS GOING TO BE APPLIED TO YOUR CASE.

THE JUDGE AND SOME JUDGES DO THIS GO OUT OF THEIR WAY TO EXPLAIN AND THIS IS WHAT THE LAW SAYS AND WHY THIS RULING IS COMING DOWN THIS WAY.

DON'T GO AS FAR AS SAYING THEY AGREE WITH IT OR NOT AND THEY MOST CERTAINLY SHOULD NOT AND I WOULD NOT DO THAT IN A SITUATION.

BUT YOU HAVE TO OFFER EXPLANATION.

BOTTOM LINE IF I DISAGREE WITH THE LAW AS IT IS WRITTEN AND WHAT THE LAW SAYS THIS IS THE OUTCOME THAT IS REQUIRED IN THE SITUATION THAN THAT IS WHAT YOU DO YOU FOLLOW THE LAW.

>> THANK YOU BOTH.

SUZANNE?

>> WHAT ARE THE QUALITIES OF A GOOD JUDGE AND HOW DO YOU EMBODY THOSE POLICIES?

YOU HAVE ONE MINUTE EACH AND WE WILL START WITH MR. CHURCHILL.

>> Robert Churchill: THE QUALITIES THAT ANY JUDGE NEEDS TO HAVE OUR COURTESY, RESPECT, AND ADHERENCE TO THE LAW AND MAINTENANCE OF DIGNITY FOR EVERYBODY THAT COMES BEFORE THE COURT.

ONE JUDGE THAT I TALKED TO RECENTLY WHEN I WAS ASKING THIS QUESTION TOLD ME SOMETHING THAT I LIKED BEST AND THAT IS A JUDGE NEEDS TO LISTEN WELL, LISTEN MORE THAN A TALK.

AND A JUDGE NEEDS TO EXPLAIN WELL.

THE EXPLANATION TO THE PEOPLE WHO WERE AFFECTED BY THE JUDGE'S RULINGS.

SO AS LONG AS YOU IS LISTENING MORE THAN YOU TALK YOU MANAGED EXPLAIN WELL, YOU'RE DOING A LARGE PART OF THE NECESSARY ELEMENTS OF WHAT A JUDGE DOES.

YOU NEED TO BE AND HAVE THE TEMPERAMENT THAT GOES WITH IT.

>> THANK YOU, MS. RIGGINS?

>> LaShawn Riggans: YES, THANK YOU.

I BELIEVE THAT JUDGES SHOULD BE KNOWLEDGEABLE.

I THINK THEY SHOULD HAVE A HIGH MORAL CHARACTER.

I THINK THEY SHOULD HAVE EMPATHY AND I THINK THEY SHOULD BE ARTICULATE AND CAPABLE OF EXPLAINING THE RULINGS TO THOSE THE RULINGS BEFORE THEM.

I BELIEVE THEY HAVE HAVE AN UNDERSTANDING OF THE COMMUNITY IN WHICH THEY SERVE.

AND THAT THEY HAVE TO GOVERN THEMSELVES WITH INTEGRITY AND HOLD THEMSELVES OUT TO BE A TYPE OF CHARACTER WHEN YOU KNOW YOU APPEAR BEFORE THE JUDGE THAT THEY ARE HONEST, FAIR, THAT THEY HAVE A HIGH MORAL CHARACTER AND THAT THEY CARE ABOUT THE PARTIES BEFORE THEM.

EVEN THOUGH YOU MAY NOT NECESSARILY BE THE RULE IN SOMEONE'S FAVOR, IT DOES NOT HURT TO SHOW EMPATHY, RESPECT AND THAT IS WHAT I FEEL A JUDGE SHOULD DO.

>> THANK YOU.

BARRY?

>> THE PUBLIC SAFETY CORRELATING COUNSEL WHICH INCLUDE ONE COUNTY JUDGE IS TASKED WITH MONITORING THE POPULATION OF THE LEON COUNTY DETENTION FACILITY IDENTIFYING ALTERNATIVES TO INCARCERATION AND INCREASING COORDINATION AMONG CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM AGENCIES.

WHAT WOULD YOU HOPE TO ACCOMPLISH IF YOU BECAME A MEMBER OF THE COUNCIL?

WE WILL START WITH MS. RIGGINS PLEASE.

>> LaShawn Riggans: I WOULD HOPE TO BE ABLE TO CONTINUE TO WORK THAT THEY ARE DOING.

THEY DO GOOD WORK AND I WAS AT A FORUM JUST A COUPLE OF DAYS AGO WHEN THEY WERE TALKING ABOUT RESTORATIVE JUSTICE.

IN DIFFERENT PROGRAMS THAT ARE AVAILABLE TO REDUCE RECIDIVISM WHICH SHOULD BE OUR GOAL.

AND OTHERS TO PREVENT PEOPLE FROM GETTING IN THE TERMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM IN THE FIRST PLACE.

THE WORK IS TO CONTINUE TO EXPLORE THE PROGRAMS AND EDUCATE PEOPLE ABOUT THOSE PROGRAMS AND TAKE BETTER USE OF THE PROGRAMS THAT ARE ALREADY AVAILABLE.

>> THANK YOU MS. RIGGINS.

MR. CHURCHILL?

>> Robert Churchill: IF I WAS ON THE COMMITTEE, I THINK WHAT I WOULD BE DOING IS DOING EVERYTHING I CAN TO EMPHASIZE AND TO ASSURE THAT THE COMMITTEE AND WHAT IT IS DOING IS REACHING OUT TO AFFECTED COMMUNITIES.

THERE IS A REASON THAT SOME COMMUNITIES ARE BEING AFFECTED MORE WITH A CYCLE OF CRIMINALITY THAT WE ARE TRYING TO AVOID.

AS I HAVE BEEN LISTENING TO PEOPLE DURING THIS CAMPAIGN, WHAT I AM HEARING IS WHAT WE HAVE TO DO IS SET UP A SYSTEM WHERE THE LOW HANGING FRUIT FOR WHOEVER IS AFFECTED BY THIS IS NOT FALLING INTO THE CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM.

THERE ARE OTHER OPTIONS OUT THERE.

IT IS NOT NECESSARILY THE ROLE OF A JUDGE BUT IF ON THIS COMMITTEE THAT IS EXACTLY WHAT THE COMMITTEE SOUNDS LIKE WHAT IT IS FOR.

IT IS TO SET UP SOMETHING AND TO ENCOURAGE THE UTILIZATION OF OTHER PROGRAMS TO AVOID FALLING INTO A PERCEPTION THAT CRIMINALITY IS PROFITABLE.

>> THANK YOU MR. CHURCHILL.

AS A FOLLOW-UP WE WILL START WITH YOU MR. CHURCHILL.

WE WOULD LIKE YOU TO LIMIT YOUR ANSWER TO 30 SECONDS.

HOW WOULD YOU IMPROVE CORONATION AMONG OUR LOCAL CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM AGENCIES?

>> Robert Churchill: HAVE MEETINGS, ENCOURAGED TALKS AND IN THOSE TALKS, WE CAN TALK AND TALK WITHOUT SOLVING PROBLEMS THAT WE HAVE TO GET CONCRETE MEASURES IN PLACE.

>> THANK YOU.

MS. RIGGINS?

>> LaShawn Riggans: YES, I THINK I WOULD LIKE TO HAVE A FORM OF COMMUNITY PARTNERS.

ONE OF THE THINGS WE DO WITH THE COUNTY IS WHAT WE HAVE STAKEHOLDERS THAT HAVE ANSWERS TO PROBLEMS THAT WE OURSELVES CAN'T DO, WE GET THEM IN THE ROOM.

WE HAVE DIALOGUE AND THEN WE COME OUT WITH SOLUTIONS AND A WAY OF IMPLEMENTING THE SOLUTIONS.

I WOULD DO THE SAME THING IN THAT SCENARIO.

>> THANK YOU.

MY NEXT QUESTION IS, HOW WILL YOU BALANCE FAIRNESS AND IMPARTIALITY WITH EMPATHY WHEN HEARING CASES?

I UNDERSTAND I BUILT AND ASSUMPTIONS INTO THE QUESTION WHICH IS MAYBE YOU DON'T BELIEVE YOU SHOULD HAVE EMPATHY WHEN YOU ARE HEARING CASES.

IF YOU DISAGREE WITH THE PREMISE OF THE QUESTION LET ME KNOW.

BUT AGAIN THE QUESTION, HOW WILL YOU BALANCE FAIRNESS AND IMPARTIALITY WITH EMPATHY WHEN HEARING CASES?

>> Robert Churchill: I WOULD EXPECT THAT WOULD DO IT THE WAY I DO IT NOW.

I RUN A SMALL BUSINESS THAT IS FOCUSED ON WORKING FOR CONSUMERS AND SMALL BUSINESSES IN COUNTY COURT CASES.

MANY PEOPLE COME INTO MY OFFICE FEELING VERY STRONGLY ABOUT WHAT THE LAW SHOULD DO FOR THEM.

THIS IS WHAT THE LAW OUGHT TO AND I OUGHT TO BE ALLOWED TO DO THIS.

A BIG PART OF MY JOB IS SAYING, THE LAW AND SHE SAYS, THERE SAYS THS AND IT DOESN'T ALIGN WITH YOUR VIEW OF IT AND YOU NEED TO BE EMPATHETIC AND HEAR PEOPLE THAT AND TELL THEM THAT YOU UNDERSTAND AND EXPLAIN THE LAW AS IT IS APPLIED TO THEIR SITUATION.

SOMETIMES IT DOESN'T WORK OUT THE WAY THEY EXPECT IT.

THAT IS PART OF A LAWYER'S JOB IN A PART OF THE JUDGES JOB IN THAT CONTEXT.

>> MS. RIGGINS?

>> LaShawn Riggans: I ABSOLUTELY BELIEVE THERE IS ROOM FOR EMPATHY AND BEING A JUDGE.

I THINK YOU HAVE TO HAVE IT.

BALANCE IS, YOU STILL HAVE TO FOLLOW THE LAW.

BUT I BELIEVE IN FOLLOWING THE LAW THAT THERE IS ROOM TO HAVE COMPASSION.

THERE IS ROOM TO UNDERSTAND THE PARTIES THAT ARE BEFORE YOU AND TO MAKE SURE THAT YOU ARE ARTICULATING WHEN YOU'RE MAKING YOUR RULINGS AND THE RATIONALE BEHIND THEM.

I THINK A LOT OF THE PROBLEM IS THAT PEOPLE DON'T FEEL LIKE THEY ARE HEARD.

THEY LEAVE THE COURTROOM AND THEY FEEL LIKE THE JUDGE DID NOT PAY ATTENTION.

THEY DID NOT LOOK AT THE EVIDENCE THAT I PRESENTED BEFORE THEM.

NO WAY THEY SHOULD HAVE BEEN RULES THAT WAY IF THEY HAD JUST HEARD ME.

SO I THINK THAT IS A BIG PIECE OF IT.

YOU FOLLOW THE LAW BUT WITHIN THERE IS ROOM TO HAVE COMPASSION.

THERE IS DEFINITELY ROOM TO HAVE A SENTENCE THAT IS CRAFTED IN A WAY THAT IS FAIR AND EQUITABLE AND TAKES INTO CONSIDERATION WHAT BROUGHT THE PARTIES BEFORE YOU IN THE FIRST PLACE.

>> THANK YOU BOTH.

SUZANNE?

>> HOW WILL YOU ENSURE THAT ALL PARTIES IN YOUR COURTROOM ARE TREATED WITH RESPECT AND FAIRNESS REGARDLESS OF THEIR BACKGROUND OR FINANCIAL NEEDS?

WE WILL START WITH MS. RIGGINS FOR ONE MINUTE.

>> LaShawn Riggans: THAT IS AN EASY ONE.

YOU JUST DO IT.

I CAME FROM VERY HUMBLE MEANS.

WE WERE NOT RICH BY ANY STRETCH OF THE IMAGINATION.

MY MOM WORKED EXTREMELY HARD FOR EVERYTHING.

IF THE LIGHTS GOT CUT OFF, SHE MADE A GAME OF IT LIKE WE WERE CAMPING.

I GET IT AND I UNDERSTAND WHAT IT FEELS LIKE TO FEEL LIKE YOU'RE NOT SEEN.

I FEEL LIKE IT IN ORDER TO MAKE PEOPLE FEEL LIKE THEY ARE NOT SEEN IS TO SEE THEM.

TO LISTEN TO WHAT THEY ARE SAYING, TO HEAR THEM AND TO JUST BE FAIR.

THAT IS NOT A HARD THING TO DO.

YOU JUST DO IT.

>> MR. CHURCHILL?

>> Robert Churchill: I THINK THE TONE OF COURTESY AND CIVILITY SOMETHING THAT COMES FROM THE JUDGE.

THERE IS A PLAQUE OR THAT MANY JUDGES AROUND THE STATES THAT HAVE THAT SITS IN FRONT OF THE BENCH ARE IN THEIR CHAMBERS THAT SAYS, COURTESY AND CIVILITY NOTHING LESS WILL BE ACCEPTED.

THAT COMES FROM THE JUDGE AND IT IS A MESSAGE TO EVERYBODY WHO ENTERS THE ROOM.

THIS IS WHAT I EXPECT OF YOUR CONDUCT WHILE YOU ARE HERE.

AND THEN IT IS UP TO THE JUDGE TO ENFORCE THAT.

IN COUNTY COURT WE ALSO DEAL WITH IN ADDITION TO LAWYERS ARGUING THEIR CASES IS UNREPRESENTED PEOPLE WHO MAY BE CHALLENGED AT TIMES TO CARRY THE MANTLE OF COURTESY AND CIVILITY AND RESPECT.

THAT IS UP TO THE JUDGE TO SET THE TONE AND REFUTES TO ACCEPT DENIGRATION OF THE PARTIES BETWEEN ONE ANOTHER ETC.

THE JUDGE -- IT IS UP TO THE JUDGE.

>> WHAT STEPS IF YOU ARE ELECTED COULD AFFECT YOUR DECISION-MAKING?

I WILL START OUT WITH MS. RIGGINS, PLEASE.

>> LaShawn Riggans: CAN YOU REPEAT THE QUESTION?

>> WHAT STEPS HAVE USED THAT STATUTE TAKEN TO FOR YOUR IMPLICIT BIASES IF YOU WERE ELECTED COULD AFFECT YOUR DECISION-MAKING?

>> LaShawn Riggans: TO BE HONEST I DON'T NOT THINK I HAVE ANY BIASES THAT WOULD IMPACT MY THINGS WE BELIEVE IN AND WE E - HAVE THINGS WE DISAGREE WITH BUT AS A JUDGE OF A VERY UNIQUE ROLE YOU ARE NOT TAKING SIDES IN THE CASE YOU'RE NOT ADVOCATING FOR A CLIENT YOUR JOB IS TO SIT THERE AND LISTEN ATTENTIVELY, WEIGH THE EVIDENCE THAT IS PRESENTED AND BASED ON THE LAW AND THE EVIDENCE MAKE A DECISION.

YOUR PERSONAL BELIEFS, YOUR PERSONAL POLITICS HAVE NO PLACE IN THAT.

I THINK THAT IS WHAT ERODES THE COMMUNITIES TRUST IN THE SYSTEM.

OUR JOB IS TO HELP BUILD THAT TRUST.

THERE'S JUST NO ROOM FOR IT.

IT DOESN'T COME INTO PLAY IN MY THOUGHT PROCESS.

>> THANK YOU, MR. CHURCHILL?

>> Robert Churchill: I THINK PART OF ADDRESSING ONE IMPLICIT BIASES IS TO FIRST ACKNOWLEDGE WHAT MAY HAVE IMPLICIT BIASES.

THAT IS A BIG STEP FOR A A LOT OF PEOPLE.

A LOT OF PEOPLE HAVE A HARD TIME ACKNOWLEDGING THAT THEY COULD HAVE ANY BIAS AT ALL.

THERE IS A LACK OF CONFIDENCE AS WE TALKED ABOUT HERE IN THE JUSTICE BY THE COURT SYSTEM.

IT MATTERS THAT THE COURT SYSTEM IS COMMUNICATING IN THE JUDGE IN THE COURT IS COMMUNICATING.

THAT THEY TAKE THIS ISSUE SERIOUSLY AND WE CANNOT TOLERATE IMPLICIT BIASES AMONG OUR RANKS.

WE ARE DOING THIS ABOUT IT.

SO FOR ME WHAT I HAVE DONE IS I HAVE ASKED EVERYBODY WHO WILL TALK TO ME ABOUT THIS, WHAT THEY SEE AS PROBLEMS IN OUR SYSTEM AND WHAT THEY THINK I AS A JUDGE CAN DO ABOUT IT?

I HAVE GOTTEN SOME VERY INFORMED ANSWERS.

I WILL BE UTILIZING THOSE.

THERE'S TRAINING TO UNDERTAKE AND I EXPECT THAT WILL BE TAKEN THAT TRAINING TO GO FORWARD IF ELECTED.

>> THANK YOU BOTH.

NEXT QUESTION, WHAT IS THE ROLE OF A COUNTY JUDGE IF ANY IN ADDRESSING BROADER SOCIAL ISSUES SUCH AS MENTAL HEALTH OR DRUG ADDICTION OR ANY ADDICTION CAN COME UP IN COURT CASES?

MR. CHURCHILL, WE ARE GOING TO START THE NEW THIS TIME FOR ONE MINUTE.

>> Robert Churchill: THE ISSUES THAT AFFECT THE VULNERABLE POPULATION MENTAL HEALTH, DRUGS AND ADDICTION THEY HAVE SPECIAL PROGRAMS THAT ARE DESIGNED AS DIVERGENT PROGRAMS HERE IN OUR CIRCUIT TO AVOID A CYCLE OF CRIMINALITY FOR THOSE STRUGGLING WITH HOMELESSNESS.

THERE IS A VETERANS COURT THERE'S A DRUG COURT AND ADDICTION PROGRAM AND MENTAL HEALTH TO TRY TO AVOID THE SITUATION OF A REPEATED CYCLE OF WHAT BECOMES ESCALATING CRIMINALITY.

A JUDGE CAN BASICALLY ENCOURAGE THE USE OF THOSE MEASURES BUT THE JUDGE CANNOT INITIATE THEM.

THAT IS THE ISSUE.

WHEN YOU ARE ON THE BENCH AND THE CASE COUNTRY FOR YOU, YOU HAVE TO EXPLORE WHETHER THOSE THINGS HAVE BEEN LOOKED AT AND THEN YOU HAVE TO RIGGINS?

E CASE.

>> LaShawn Riggans: THANK YOU.

I AM GOING TO HAVE TO PIGGYBACK ON MR. CHURCHILL SAID.

THERE ARE THE COURTS IN PLACE AND MENTAL HEALTH COURT, THERE'S A VETERAN COURT THERE'S A DRUG COURT AND THOSE REFERRALS COME FROM THE STATE ATTORNEY'S OFFICE.

BUT A JUDGE WHEN A CASE COUNTRY FOR THEM IF THEY ARE HEARING THINGS OR AS THE CASE IS PROGRESSING AND YOU DISCOVER THAT MAYBE THE PERSON BEFORE YOU MAY HAVE SOME MENTAL HEALTH ISSUES OR THE REASON WHY THEY ARE BEFORE YOU IS BECAUSE THERE IS AN ADDICTION OR DRUG PROBLEM, I MEAN YOU CAN DEFINITELY MAKE INQUIRIES.

WE LOOKED AT THESE OTHER ALTERNATIVES TO THEM BEING HERE.

I THINK AS YOU GET CASES IN AND FILES IN AND YOU LOOK AT THEM THOSE ARE CONVERSATIONS THAT YOU SHOULD PROBABLY BE HAVING WITH THE PROSECUTOR AND THE DEFENDER WHEN YOU ARE HAVING YOUR CASE MANAGEMENT CONFERENCES AND THINGS OF THAT NATURE.

WE LOOK AT THESE OTHER AVENUES INSTEAD OF GOING DOWN THIS PARTICULAR PATH.

>> I AM GOING TO ASK A FOLLOW-UP AND MAYBE TRY TO GET A LITTLE BIT MORE CLARITY ON THAT LAST QUESTION.

CERTAINLY A JUDGE CAN TAKE INTO EFFECT FACTORS IN A CASE THAT A DEFENDANT HAS ADDICTION PROBLEMS THAT A DEFENDANT HAS MENTAL HEALTH ISSUES.

I GUESS MY QUESTION REALLY GOT MORE AT THE QUESTION OF THERE HAVE BEEN THESE SPECIALTY COURTS THAT HAVE BEEN CREATED ACROSS THE COUNTRY TO HANDLE SPECIALTY ISSUES.

THERE HAS BEEN SOME CONSERVATIVE PUSHBACK AGAINST THOSE SPECIALTY COURTS OVER THE YEARS.

THE QUESTION REALLY IS, DO YOU REALLY BELIEVE THAT THESE SPECIALTY COURTS SHOULD EXIST?

OR SHOULD THEY NOT?

MS. RIGGINS I WILL ASK YOU TO ANSWER FIRST.

>> LaShawn Riggans: ABSOLUTELY.

I'M 100% PROPONENT OF THE SPECIALTY COURTS.

WHEN SOMEONE HAS A MENTAL HEALTH ISSUE, THE COURT IN THE CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM IS NOT EQUIPPED TO DEAL WITH THAT.

YOU NEED TO HAVE A COURT THAT HAS DOCTORS AND PSYCHOLOGISTS AND THINGS OF THAT NATURE WHICH IS A PART OF MENTAL HEALTH COURTS.

THE PERSON GETS THE TREATMENT THAT THEY NEED.

LIKEWISE IN DRUG COURT, YOU ARE TREATING THE SYMPTOM AND THE CAUSATION OF WHY IT OCCURRED IN THE FIRST PLACE.

YET THEY ARE NEEDED.

>> MR. CHURCHILL?

>> Robert Churchill: MY UNDERSTANDING OF THE PUSHBACK YOU ARE TALKING ABOUT IS THE PUSHBACK ON THE USE OF THE MECHANISMS OF THESE SPECIALTY COURTS.

IT IS THE BREATH BY WHICH THEY ARE USED AND APPLIED AS OPPOSED TO THEIR EXISTENCE.

I HAVE NO PROBLEM AT ALL WITH THE EXISTENCE OF THE COURTS.

THERE MAY BE QUESTIONS ABOUT WHO IS QUALIFIED AND WHO SHOULD GET THE MEASURE OF REMEDY THAT IS AFFORDED IN THOSE COURTS AND WHO SHOULD NOT.

THEIR EXISTENCE IS NOT A QUESTION FOR ME.

>> THANK YOU VERY MUCH.

I PIGGYBACKED ON THE QUESTION THAT SUZANNE WAS SUPPOSED TO ASK.

I AM GOING TO TURN IT OVER DIRECTLY TO BARRY FOR THE NEXT QUESTION.

>> THANK YOU.

WE WILL START WITH MR. CHURCHILL WITH THIS QUESTION.

YOU WILL HAVE ONE MINUTE.

WHICH LORD OF COURT DECISION IN ANY FLORIDA COURT DO YOU THINK HAS MOST AFFECTED THE LIVES OF FLORIDIANS?

>> MR. CHURCHILL CAN YOU TAKE THAT FIRST?

>> Robert Churchill: GIDEON VERSUS WAINWRIGHT IS A CASE THAT WAS DECIDED IN BAY COUNTY COURT.

THE CASE THAT ULTIMATELY RESULTED IN THE U.S. SUPREME COURT DECISION SAYING THAT EVERYONE HAS A RIGHT TO A PUBLIC DEFENDER.

THE DEFENDANT IN THAT CASE WAS INCARCERATED BECAUSE HE CANNOT AFFORD A LAWYER AND THE LAWYERS AT THAT TIME WAS NOT APPOINTED FOR EVERYBODY ACCUSED OF A CRIME.

HE APPEAL FROM THE JAIL CELL TO THE U.S. SUPREME COURT AND ESTABLISH PRESIDENTS.

IT IS PROFOUNDLY AFFECTED THE WAY THAT JUSTICE IS APPLIED IN OUR CRIMINAL COURTS IN FLORIDA AND NATIONWIDE.

>> THANK YOU.

MS. RIGGINS?

>> LaShawn Riggans: THAT IS A TOUGH ONE.

BECAUSE THERE ARE SO MANY LAWS THAT I DO FEEL IMPACTED DAILY LIVES OF FLORIDA RESIDENTS.

EVEN WHEN WE LOOK AT THE COUNTY ORDINANCES, I MEAN THERE ARE LAWS THAT IMPACT YOUR DAILY LIVES.

WHAT YOU DO WITH YOUR DOG, IF YOUR DOG HAS TO BE ON A LEASH, HOW LONG YOU CAN HAVE ÃTHAT'S HOW LOUD CAN YOU HAVE YOUR MUSIC?

THERE'S SO MANY LAWS THERE IS IT IS HARD FOR ME TO SINGLE OUT ONE BECAUSE THEY ALL IMPACT YOU IN ONE WAY OR ANOTHER.

I HAPPEN TO THINK THAT THE LOCAL LAWS HAVE GREATER IMPACT ON YOUR DAY-TO-DAY LIFE THAN THE HIGHER RANKING CASES AND THINGS OF THAT NATURE THAT MAY HAVE A BIG UMBRELLA OVER YOU.

THE LOCAL LAWS HAVE A GREATER IMPACT ON THE DAY-TO-DAY LIVES OF FLORIDIANS.

>> THANK YOU.

>> THANK YOU VERY MUCH.

THE NEXT QUESTION SUZANNE YOU WANT TO GO AHEAD AND TAKE IT?

>> JUDICIAL ETHICS ARE CRITICAL IN MAINTAINING PUBLIC TRUST PLEASE DESCRIBE THE SITUATION WHICH YOU FACED AN ETHICAL DILEMMA AND EXPLAIN HOW YOU RESOLVED IT?

ONE MINUTE FOR EACH OF YOU.

WE WILL START WITH MS. RIGGINS?

>> LaShawn Riggans: THANK YOU.

I HAVEN'T TO SIT ON THE FLORIDA BAR OF PROFESSIONAL ETHICS COMMITTEE.

THIS IS MY SECOND TERM SO ETHICS IS EXTREMELY IMPORTANT TO ME.

I ONE POINT AS A PROSECUTOR A CASE WAS PRESENTED WHERE THERE WAS SOME QUESTIONABLE EVIDENCE AND IF IT SHOULD BE CONSIDERED AND IF THE CASE SHOULD BE DISMISSED OR NOT.

IT WAS A HARD CASE BECAUSE IT WAS ENOUGH TO GO FORWARD IF YOU TOOK EVERYTHING AT FACE VALUE.

IT TOOK SOME DIVING INTO AND GOING A LITTLE FURTHER BEYOND.

AT THE END OF THE DAY I DID WHAT I FELT WAS RIGHT AND IT WAS SUPPORTED AND I WAS VERY THANKFUL FOR THAT.

AS A LAWYER YOU ARE FACED WITH ETHICAL DECISIONS A LOT AS A LITIGATION ATTORNEY.

THERE ARE THINGS THAT YOUR CLIENTS WANT YOU TO DO TO GET THE JOB DONE.

AND SOMETIMES IT IS VERY CHALLENGING TO TELL THEM, NO.

BUT YOU HAVE TO.

>> MR. CHURCHILL?

>> Robert Churchill: SETTING BOUNDARIES ON CLIENTS IS A BIG PART OF WHAT MANY ATTORNEYS PRACTICING LITIGATION DO.

I HAVE HAD A CONSULTATION WITH THE CLIENT IN THE LAST FIVE MONTHS WHERE THE CLIENT TOLD ME WHAT WAS GOING ON AND EXPLAINED TO ME WITH THE VIEW OF THE OTHER PARTY WAS AND EXPLAIN TO ME WHY THEY WERE RIGHT IN THEIR MINDS.

AND THEN SET OUT THEIR GOALS.

THEIR GOALS WERE TO PREVAIL ON THE CONTRACT THAT WE HAD AND TO MAKE HIM SUFFER.

AT THAT POINT I HAD TO SAY TO THE PROSPECTIVE CLIENT, I AM NOT HERE TO MAKE ANYONE SUFFER.

I UNDERSTAND WHAT YOU MAY HAVE BEEN PUT THROUGH AND TRY TO EXERCISE AS MUCH EMPATHY AS I CAN FOR THIS CLIENT IN THIS MOMENT.

THE PROBLEM IS THAT SKEWS THE GOALS OF WHAT I AM DOING.

I CAN MAKE A GOOD DEAL HAPPEN HERE FOR YOU WHERE WE WORK THINGS OUT AND YOUR INTERESTS ARE PROTECTED.

YOU MAY NOT BE SATISFIED THAT THIS PERSON HAS SUFFERED ENOUGH.

IT IS NOT IN THE ATTORNEY'S JOB TO MAKE SOMEONE SUFFER.

YOU HAVE TO SET BOUNDARIES ON CLIENTS.

>> THANK YOU.

IN A LITTLE BIT WE WILL GO TO CLOSING ARGUMENTS BUT BEFORE THAT, WE ARE GOING TO DO WHAT I USED TO CALL LIGHTNING ROUND.

WE HAVE A LITTLE EXTRA TIME SO I WILL CALL IT THE SHORT ANSWER AROUND.

I BELIEVE THESE ANSWERS ARE GOING TO BE ON TIME BUT I WOULD SAY TO BE AS CONCISE AS YOU CAN.

I WILL ASK YOU WILL BE SHARING THE BALLOT THIS NOVEMBER WITH WHAT SOME CONSIDER TO BE THE MOST IMPORTANT ELECTION IN HISTORY.

CAN YOU SAY WHO WILL YOU WILL BE VOTING FOR AT THE TOP OF THE BALLOT?

THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES?

>> LaShawn Riggans: I CANNOT.

>> Robert Churchill: I CANNOT.

>> WE ARE GOING TO HAVE A LOT MORE TIME.

MR. CHURCHILL WHAT IS YOUR SINGLE MOST PRIZED ENDORSEMENT FOR THIS POSITION?

>> Robert Churchill: MY MOST PRIZED ENDORSEMENT FOR THIS POSITION IS THOSE OF MY THE ATTORNEYS AND PROFESSIONALS ON MY COMMITTEE.

THE COMMITTEE OF RESPONSIBLE PERSONS ARE 39 LAWYERS AND LEGAL PROFESSIONALS FROM AROUND LEON COUNTY WHO I HAVE CROSSED PATHS WITH OVER 20 YEARS PRACTICING LAW WHO BELIEVE ENOUGH IN ME TO ENDORSE ME.

>> MS. RIGGINS?

>> LaShawn Riggans: I DO NOT HAVE A PRIZED ENDORSEMENT.

I HAVE BEEN ENDORSED BY LAWYERS THAT I'VE WORKED WITH.

BUT MORE SO JUST MEMBERS OF THE COMMUNITY THAT HAVEN'T COME ACROSS ME THAT I HAVE WORKED WITH AND THAT I HAVE VOLUNTEERED WITH.

ORGANIZATIONS THAT HAVE WORKED WITH THAT ARE SUPPORTING ME AND PASTORS THAT I HAVE WORKED WITH.

THE PRICE THING WITH THE ENDORSEMENTS ARE COMING FROM EVERY SECTOR OF THE COMMUNITY.

SO IT IS NOT JUST ONE, IS WELL-ROUNDED AND THAT MAKES ME FEEL LIKE I AM ON THE RIGHT PATH.

AND THERE IS ENOUGH OF A CROSS-SECTION IN THE COMMUNITY TO SUPPORT ME.

>> IF I HELD YOUR NAME TO THE CLIENT UNTIL YOU YOU HAD TO NAME ONE NAME COULD YOU DO IT?

>> -- LASHAWN RIGGINS -- >> LaShawn Riggans: NO.

>> Robert Churchill: NO.

>> TELL ME ONE JUDGE PAST THE PRESENT THAT YOU MOST ADMIRE?

MS. RIGGINS GO AHEAD.

>> LaShawn Riggans: OH MY GOODNESS THAT IS AN IN THE SPOT QUESTION.

I CAN'T GIVE YOU JUST ONE.

>> YOU CAN GIVE ME SEVERAL.

>> LaShawn Riggans: JUDGE AUGUSTINE'S AIKINS, HE HAS HAD A FABULOUS CAREER.

THE WORK IN THE BODY OF WORK HASHE HAS -- HE HAS DONE THEY ARE GETTING READY TO NAME THE COURTHOUSE AFTER HIM.

HE IS DEFINITELY A JUDGE THAT I ADMIRE.

COUNTY COURT RICHARDSON EMBODIES WITH THE COUNTY COURT JUDGE SHOULD BE.

SHE IS ACTIVE IN THE COMMUNITY, SHE IS KIND, SHE IS GENEROUS, SHE LISTENS AND SHE TRIES TO FIND A RESOLUTION AS BEST AS SHE CAN WHERE THE PARTIES LEAVE OUT AND THE ALL FEEL HALF DECENT ABOUT THE DECISION THAT SHE MADE.

TO ME SHE AND BODIES WHAT JUDICIAL TEMPERAMENT SHOULD LOOK LIKE.

THERE'S SO MANY OTHERS JUDGE JONES, JUDGE EVERETT THERE SO MANY JUDGES IN LEON COUNTY THAT ARE ACTIVE IN THE COMMUNITY AND ARE DOING THINGS I THINK REALLY FOSTERS CONFIDENCE IN OUR SYSTEM.

>> MR. CHURCHILL SAME QUESTION?

>> Robert Churchill: AUGUSTINE'S AIKINS IS A LOCAL LEGEND AND WE HAVE FOUND RESPECT FOR HIM OBVIOUSLY.

TERRY LEWIS, JIM CHAUFFEUR, GEORGE REYNOLDS HARRY AND STEAD.

>> THANK YOU VERY MUCH.

AS A JUDGE YOU WILL REPRESENT THE STATE THE MOTTO OF WHICH IS IN GOD WE TRUST.

WHICH IS ALSO IN THE STATE SEAL.

I WILL ASK YOU BOTH DO YOU HAVE A RELATIONSHIP WITH GOD OR A HIGHER POWER?

MR. CHURCHILL?

>> Robert Churchill: I HAVE A RELATIONSHIP WITH GOD WHICH I CONSIDER TO BE FOR ME AND FOR EVERYBODY ELSE I TALKED TO IT SEEMS PART OF THE WOVEN FABRIC INTO WHO I AM.

IT IS NOT SOMETHING THAT WOULD AFFECT ANY RULING THAT I MAKE ON THE BENCH.

BUT IT IS SOMETHING THAT IS INGRAINED IN WHO I AM AS AN INDIVIDUAL.

>> MS. RIGGINS.

>> LaShawn Riggans: ABSOLUTELY, I AM AN ORDAINED PASTOR.

I DEFINITELY HAVE A RELATIONSHIP WITH GOD.

FOR ME, THAT RELATIONSHIP EMBODIES WHO I AM AND IT IS ONE OF THE REASONS WHY I FEEL I CAN BE FAIR.

AN EQUITABLE AND IMPARTIAL AND I DO THINK IT PLAYS A ROLE IN HOW WE PERCEIVE THINGS AND THE KINDNESS WE SHOW OTHERS.

I THINK THAT IS A MAJOR PART OF WHO I AM.

>> I WILL FINISH IT UP WITH ONE LAST QUESTION WHICH IS, WHAT IS THE SINGLE BIGGEST THING THAT YOU HAVE DONE TO MAKE LEON COUNTY A BETTER PLACE TO LIVE?

WE WILL GIVE THIS ONE TO MS. RIGGINS FIRST.

>> LaShawn Riggans: I CAN'T GIVE YOU A SINGLE THING BUT I CAN TELL YOU THAT THROUGH ALL OF THE VOLUNTEER WORK THAT I HAVE DONE, I THINK I HAVE MADE AN IMPACT IN THE LIVES OF MEMBERS OF THE COMMUNITY.

FROM WORKING WITH THE HOMELESS, FROM FEEDING THE HOMELESS AND REACHING OUT AND TALKING TO VETERANS AND HELPING THEM THROUGH VOLUNTEER WORK.

I HAVE HAD THE PLEASURE OF SERVING AS THE FORMER DEPUTY ATTORNEY AND IT IS PRO VOLUNTEER WORK.

WE HAVE A VOLUNTEER DEPARTMENT.

WE HAVEN'T DONE -- WE HAVE DONE HABITAT FOR HUMANITY.

VOLUNTEERING AND HELPING LEAVE A MARK IN A PLACE THAT YOU CALL HOME LITTLE BIT BETTER THAN YOU FOUND IT IS SUPER IMPORTANT TO ME.

AND I STRIVE TO DO THAT EVERY TIME I LEAVE MY DOOR.

>> MR. CHURCHILL?

>> Robert Churchill: MY 25 YEAR MARRIAGE TO MY WIFE STACY AND RAISING OUR FOUR DAUGHTERS ALLISON, MEGAN, PAIGE AND SASSY HAS BEEN THE GREATEST THING I HAVE EVER DONE OR EVER WILL BE A PART OF DOING.

DOING THAT HAS ALSO PULLS ME INTO OTHER THINGS IN THE COMMUNITY THAT I THINK AFFECTED WELL.

I COACHED FIVE AND SIX YEAR OLD BOYS AND GIRLS SOCCER FOR THE CITY OF TALLAHASSEE FOR 10 YEARS AND -- IN A ROW.

IT STARTED MIKE COACHING CAREER, THEY ACED OUT AND I RETIRED.

THAT IS ONE GREAT THING THAT I HAVE DONE AND HAS BEEN DONE TO MY FAMILY.

>> THANK YOU BOTH.

NOW WE WILL MOVE ON TO CLOSING ARGUMENTS.

THIS IS AN OPPORTUNITY FOR EACH CANDIDATE TO SOME OF THEIR CASE OF WHY THEY SHOULD BECOME THE NEXT LEON COUNTY JUDGE.

MR. CHURCHILL, YOU ANSWER THE LAST QUESTION LAST SO YOU GET TO GIVE YOUR CLOSING ARGUMENTS FIRST.

I THINK WE ARE GOING TO LET EACH CANDIDATE GO ON FOR A MINUTE AND 30 SECONDS ON THIS ONE.

MR. CHURCHILL WHEN YOU ARE READY?

>> Robert Churchill: THANK YOU SO MUCH AND THANK YOU FOR THE FORUM.

I HAVE BEEN AN ATTORNEY FOR 22 YEARS AND 18 OF THE YEARS I HAVE RUN A BUSINESS FOCUSED ON REPRESENTING CONSUMERS AND SMALL BUSINESSES HERE IN LEON COUNTY.

I HAVE DONE PRO BONO WORK AND HAVE BEEN AWARDED THE PRO BONO LEGAL SERVICE AWARD BY THE FLORIDA BAR PRESIDENT.

I HAVE BEEN NOMINATED TO BE A JUDGE ON THIS COURT AND OTHER COURTS LIKE IT BY THE JUDICIAL NOMINATING COMMITTEE FOUR TIMES.

IT IS MY VIEW THAT JUDGES SHOULD LISTEN MORE THAN THEY TALK.

I HAVE TALKED A LOT TODAY AND I'M STILL TALKING NOW.

BUT TO BALANCE THAT OUT, I HAVE BEEN LISTENING, I HAVE BEEN ON A LISTENING TOUR DURING THIS CAMPAIGN.

I HAVE LISTENED TO AND SAT WITH THE STATE ATTORNEY, THE PUBLIC DEFENDER, THE CHIEF OF POLICE, THE SHERIFF.

OUR PRIMARY OPPONENT MS. SIDNEY BROWN WHO GOT MANY, MANY VOTES IN THE PRIMARY, I SAT AND TALKED WITH HER.

GATHERING PERSPECTIVE FROM HUNDREDS OF ATTORNEYS AND THOUSANDS OF CITIZEN VOTERS ON WHAT THIS COURT DOES WELL AND WHAT IT CAN DO BETTER.

I WANT TO HEAR FROM YOU THE VOTERS OF LEON COUNTY, WHAT DO WE DO WELL AND WHAT CAN WE DO BETTER?

IF YOU BELIEVE THAT I CAN DO THAT, I WOULD LOVE YOUR VOTE ON NOVEMBER 5.

>> THANK YOU VERY MUCH.

AND NOW CLOSING ARGUMENT FROM MS.

THANK YOU AGAIN FOR THIS OPPORTUNITY AND FOR THE FORUM AND THE OPPORTUNITY TO ADDRESS THE VOTERS.

I HAVE BEEN PRACTICING LAW FOR A LITTLE OVER 18 YEARS.

BUT MY ENTIRE ADULT LIFE, I HAVE BEEN A PUBLIC SERVANT.

I JOINED THE UNITED STATES NAVY AND SERVED.

I HAVE BEEN A LIFE COACH, I HAVE WORKED AS A VICTIM ADVOCATE.

I HAVE WORKED IN BOTH CRIMINAL LAW AND CIVIL LAW.

IT IS ALWAYS BEEN WITH THE GOAL TO SERVE THE PUBLIC AND TO BE A SERVANT LEADER.

TWO LEAVE THE COMMUNITY BETTER THAN WHAT I FOUND IT.

AND DURING THE COAST -- COURSE OF MONEY FOR THIS PARTICULAR OFFICE, TALK TO MORE PEOPLE THAN I COULD THINK.

I AM AN INTROVERT BY PERSONALITY BUT EXTROVERTS BY NECESSITY.

I HAVE ATTENDED FORUMS DEALING WITH YOUTH VIOLENCE.

I ATTENDED FORUMS DEALING WITH MENTAL HEALTH ISSUES I HAVE ATTENDED FORUMS DEALING WITH PERFORMATIVE JUSTICE.

EACH TIME THE QUESTION IS, WILL ARE WE GET IN RIGHT AND WHAT ARE WE GET IN WRONG AND WHAT DO YOU FEEL THE JUDGE ROLE IS?

HOW CAN WE SWING THE PENDULUM AND GETS THE TRUST BACK INTO THE COMMUNITY AND INTO THE SYSTEM THAT WE OPERATE KNOWN AS A JUSTICE SYSTEM.

A LOT OF TIMES IT IS FOLKS WANT TO BE HEARD AND THAT IS WHAT I AM HERE FOR.

>> THANK YOU VERY MUCH TO OUR CANDIDATES AND TO OUR AUDIENCES FOR JOINING US DURING THE LEAD - - LEAGUE OF WOMEN VOTERS OF TALLAHASSEE AND THE TALLAHASSEE DEMOCRAT PROGRAM.

YOU CAN FIND A REPLAY OF THIS FORM ON OUR YOUTUBE PAGES TALLAHASSEE.com AND WFSU.ORG.

REPORTED BROADCAST WILL BE AIRED TUESDAY, OCTOBER 22 AT 11:00 A.M. EASTERN ON WFSU 88.9 FM.

TELL YOUR FRIENDS.

>> REMEMBER EARLY VOTING FOR THE GENERAL ELECTIONS BEGIN OCTOBER 21.

IT ENDS NOVEMBER 3.

ELECTION DAY TAKES PLACE ON NOVEMBER 5.

>> IF YOU HAVE QUESTIONS FOR ANY OF OUR UPCOMING FORUMS, PLEASE EMAIL US AT NEWS@TALLAHASSEE.com.

YOU CAN LOOK FOR OUR SPECIAL ELECTION SECTION OF THE TALLAHASSEE DEMOCRAT THAT WILL HAVE INTERVIEWS WITH ALL OF THE CANDIDATES ON THE BALLOT.

THAT WILL BE AVAILABLE ON THE BALLOT.

THAT WILL BE AVAILABLE@TALLAHASSEE.com.

FOR ALL OF US HERE TO ALL OF YOU OUT THERE THANK YOU FOR JOINING US TODAY AND HAVE A GREAT DAY.