>> WELCOME TO THE SEVENTH SERIES OF POLITICAL CANDIDATES FORUMS IN ADVANCE OF THE AUGUST 20 PRIMARY ELECTION.

THIS FORM COOPERATIVE PRODUCTION OF THE LEAGUE OF WOMEN VOTERS OF TALLAHASSEE.

THE TALLAHASSEE DEMOCRAT AND WFSU PUBLIC MEDIA.

TODAY'S CANDIDATES ARE RUNNING FOR LEON COUNTY JUDGE SEAT FOUR.

I AM TOM OF WFSU PUBLIC MEDIA.

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

WE WILL BE QUESTIONING THE CANDIDATES ON VARIOUS TOPICS SO LET'S GET UNDERWAY AND MEET THOSE CANDIDATES.

>> THANK YOU, TOM.

THE CANDIDATES FOR LEON COUNTY JUDGE SEAT FOUR ARE SITTING LEFT TO RIGHT.

CYDNEE BROWN, ROBERT CHURCHILL, AND LASHAWN RIGGANS.

THERE ARE ATTORNEYS FROM HERE IN TALLAHASSEE.

THE JUDGE'S SEAT IS CURRENTLY HELD BY JUDGE AUGUSTINE'S AKINS JUNIOR WHO WILL BE RETIRING AT THE END OF THIS YEAR.

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

FOR THOSE AT HOME HERE'S HOW THE FORUMS ARE GOING TO WORK.

WE WILL ROTATE WHICH CANDIDATE GETS TO ANSWER FIRST.

WE DO HAVE QUITE A FEW QUESTIONS.

WE ARE GOING TO ASK THE CANDIDATES TO LEAVE YOUR ANSWERS TO ABOUT 60 SECONDS.

SOMETIMES SHORTER IF WE LEAD INTO FOLLOWERS.

TIME WILL BE KEPT.

UNDERSTAND WE HAVE A BELL WHICH WILL DEEM WHEN YOUR TIME IS UP.

CAN WE HEAR THE BELL?

VERY GOOD.

YOU DO NOT HAVE TO COME TO A DEAD STOP WHEN YOU HEAR THE BELL BUT FINISHED THE SENTENCE YOU ARE IN AND WE WILL MOVE ON.

>> IF YOU ARE WATCHING ON FACEBOOK AND HAVE A QUESTION FOR THE CANDIDATES, GO AHEAD AND TYPE THEM IN THE COMMENTS AND WE WILL GET TO AS MANY OF THEM AS WE CAN.

TIME IS LIMITED SO YOU CAN IMPROVE YOUR CHANCES OF GETTING YOUR QUESTIONS BEING ASKED IF YOU KEEP IT BRIEF AND POLITE.

MAKE A QUESTION APPLICABLE TO ALL OF THE CANDIDATES.

ANY QUESTIONS BEFORE WE START?

LET'S JUMP IN WITH THE FIRST QUESTION.

>> LET'S GET RIGHT TO IT IF WE COULD.

CANDIDATES FOR JUDICIAL SEATS MAY NOT BE AS WELL-KNOWN AS THOSE FOR OTHER OFFICES.

COULD YOU GIVE US A LITTLE BIT ABOUT YOUR BACKGROUND AND EXPERIENCE THAT QUALIFIES YOU FOR THIS JUDICIAL POSITION.

>>> I WILL GIVE YOU ONE MINUTE EACH TO TALK ABOUT THAT.

CYDNEE BROWN IF WE CAN START WITH YOU?

>> Cydnee Brown: THANK YOU FOR THE QUESTION.

MY BACKGROUND BEGAN FROM BEING IN THE UNITED STATES AIR FORCE.

I WAS CHOSEN TO BE A NONCOMMISSIONED OFFICERS IN CHARGE OF AIRCRAFT AT TYNDALL AIR FORCE BASE.

I WAS A HIGH SCHOOL ENGLISH TEACHER AND SECOND CHANCE.

I WENT TO FSU LAW SCHOOL AND THEN I WAS AT THE STATE ATTORNEY'S OFFICE FOR THREE YEARS.

ALL OF THOSE POSITIONS WERE LEADERSHIP AND AUTHORITY.

AND THOUGH I MAY NOT HAVE HAD THE TITLE OF JUDGE CERTAIN FAIRNESS, EQUITY, EQUALITY CHARACTERISTICS OF A JUDGE THAT I LOOK FOR AND HAVE WAS DISPLAYED BACK THEN.

>> THANK YOU VERY MUCH.

YOUR TURN ROBERT CHURCHILL.

>> Robert Churchill: I'M ROBERT CHURCHILL WOULD HAVE BEEN A LAWYER IN TALLAHASSEE FOR ALMOST 22 YEARS.

FOR 18 OF THOSE YEARS, I RAN A SMALL BUSINESS AS A LAW OFFICE THAT FOCUSES MY TIME AND ENERGY ON DEFENDING CONSUMERS AND SMALL BUSINESSES IN COUNTY COURTS AROUND THE STATE INCLUDING LEON COUNTY COURT.

IN THAT PERIOD OF TIME I HAVE REPRESENTED THOUSANDS OF PEOPLE AND SMALL BUSINESSES AND LEADER IN -- LEGAL MATTERS.

I HAVE HAD THE OPPORTUNITY TO GET BACK EVERY WEEK I DEVOTE HOURS OF TIME TO PRO BONO OR FREE LEGAL WORK.

I HAVE BEEN RECOGNIZED FOR DOING SO AND OUR PRIOR RECIPIENT OF THE PRO BONO LEGAL SERVICE AWARD.

I HAVE BEEN NOMINATED BY THE JUDICIAL NOMINATING COMMISSION FOR THIS JUDICIAL SEATS AND OTHER SEATS SIMILAR TO IT IN OUR CIRCUIT FOUR SEPARATE TIMES.

I'M DELIGHTED TO BE HERE WITH YOU ALL AND I HOPE TO EARN YOUR VOTE.

>> THANK YOU VERY MUCH.

LASHAWN RIGGANS?

>> LaShawn Riggans: MY NAME IS LASHAWN RIGGANS TO HAVE 17 YEARS OF LEGAL EXPERIENCE.

I'M A NAVY VETERAN AND I HAVE HAD THE OPPORTUNITY TO SERVE AS BOTH CRIMINAL ATTORNEY AND A CIVIL ATTORNEY.

I HAVE WORKED IN BOTH AREAS OF LAW WHICH I THINK MAKES ME WELL-EQUIPPED FOR BEING A COUNTY COURT JUDGE.

I'VE DEALT WITH MATTERS THAT COME BEFORE THE BENCH RANGING FROM CRIMINAL MATTERS TO CIVIL TORTS AND LITIGATION AND ANIMAL CASES TO VIOLATIONS OF COUNTY ORDINANCE.

I WORK AS A STATE PRODUCT KEY -- PROSECUTING THAT MY PROSECUTOR WHERE I DEALT WITH MATTERS OF GOVERNMENT ISSUES AND EQUALITY, FAIRNESS AND EQUITY ARE IMPORTANT TRAITS IN THE TRAITS HAVE BEEN EXEMPLIFIED BY THE WORK THAT I HAVE DONE TO DATE.

I THINK I AM WELL-SUITED TO BE THE NEXT LEON COUNTY JUDGE.

THANK YOU.

>> MIXED -- MR. MUNRO YOUR QUESTIONS?

>> THE FLORIDA JUSTICE SYSTEM TO BE ACCESSIBLE THAT IS DEFINED BY THE FLORIDA COURTS AS BEING CONVENIENT UNDERSTANDABLE, TIMELY AND AFFORDABLE TO EVERYONE.

WHAT ARE SOME OF THE OBSTACLES TO EVERYONE IN FLORIDA HAVING EQUAL ACCESS?

WE WILL START WITH MS. BROWN.

>> Cydnee Brown: I DID NOT UNDERSTAND THE QUESTION I APOLOGIZE.

>> IT IS THE VISION OF THE FLORIDA JUSTICE SYSTEM TO BE ACCESSIBLE.

THAT IS DEFINED BY THE FLORIDA COURTS AS BEING CONVENIENT, UNDERSTANDABLE, TIMELY, AND AFFORDABLE TO EVERYONE.

WHAT ARE SOME OF THE OBSTACLES TO EVERYONE IN FLORIDA HAVING EQUAL ACCESS TO JUSTICE?

>> WE STARTED WITH MS. BROWN SO WE'RE GOING TO MIX IT UP AND START MR. CHURCHILL AND THEN MRS. RIGGANS AND THEN MS. BROWN.

>> Robert Churchill: THE GOAL FOR ACCESSIBILITY AS YOU INDICATED HAVE TO DO WITH MAKING THE PROCESS THE COURT PROCESS IN ANY CONTEXT THAT YOU ARE INACCESSIBLE AND EASY TO UNDERSTAND.

WHERE THINGS GET TANGLED UP IN THE COUNTY COURT MANY TIMES PEOPLE DO NOT UNDERSTAND WHAT IS HAPPENING IN A CASE THAT INVOLVES THEM DIRECTLY.

THE COURTS ARE NOT AS GOOD AS THEY COULD BE IN EXPLAINING PROCESSES TO PEOPLE.

THE OTHER GREAT OBSTACLE TO EQUAL ACCESS TO JUSTICE WHICH I THINK THE QUESTION IS MONEY.

PEOPLE WHO HAVE MONEY AND RESOURCES ARE BETTER ABLE TO RETAIN ATTORNEYS OF THEIR CHOOSING TO HANDLE THEIR LEGAL MATTERS AND SOME ARE NOT.

IN THE COUNTY COURT YOU SEE MANY PEOPLE WHO ARE SELF REPRESENTED.

THAT CAN RESULT IN CONSEQUENCES ESPECIALLY IF THEY ARE FIGHTING WITH A LAWYER, THEY DO NOT UNDERSTAND THE PROCESS AND THE RULES OF EVIDENCE ETC.

>> MRS. RIGGANS?

>> LaShawn Riggans: I THINK THE ISSUE IS FROM SOCIAL AND ECONOMIC ISSUE SOMETIMES THERE IS LANGUAGE BARRIERS AND SOMETIMES IT IS GEOGRAPHICAL LOCATIONS.

DEPENDING ON WHERE SOMEONE LIVES THEY MAY NOT REGULARLY HAVE ACCESS TO BE ABLE TO GET TO COURT AND THINGS OF THAT NATURE.

SOME OF THE PROBLEMS OR INFRASTRUCTURE.

ALSO ISSUES DEALING WITH FUNDING FOR AGENCIES THAT PROVIDE PRO BONO SERVICES AND EDUCATE CITIZENS OF THEIR RIGHTS AND EXACTLY WHAT SERVICES ARE AVAILABLE TO THEM TO MAKE ACCESSING THE JUSTICE SYSTEM A LITTLE BIT MORE SIMPLER.

ONE OF THE BIGGEST CHALLENGES I DO BELIEVE PEOPLE NOT UNDERSTANDING THEIR RIGHTS.

IF YOU DO NOT UNDERSTAND YOUR RIGHTS OR UNDERSTAND THE PROCESS A LOT OF TIMES YOU DO NOT KNOW WHERE TO BEGIN.

TO ADDRESS THE PROBLEM THERE NEEDS TO BE GREATER EDUCATION OF CITIZENS OF WHAT SERVICES ARE AVAILABLE, WHAT THEIR RIGHTS ARE, AND HOW TO ACCESS THOSE RIGHTS.

AND THE ABILITY TO GET TO THE COURT SYSTEM ITSELF.

>> THANK YOU VERY MUCH.

AND NOW MRS. BROWN.

>> Cydnee Brown: I'M GOING TO PIGGYBACK OFF OF MRS. RIGGANS.

I LIKEWISE FEEL THERE IS A SOCIOECONOMIC DIVIDE BETWEEN THE BENCH AND THE PEOPLE THAT COME BEFORE IT ESPECIALLY IN COUNTY COURT.

THAT IS WHY TO ME THE FIRST QUESTION WAS, WHAT EXPERIENCE DO YOU HAVE AND I HAVE BEEN A PRACTICING ATTORNEY SINCE 2003.

HOWEVER, I MENTIONED THINGS THAT I DID PRIOR TO THAT.

I AM A MOTHER, I AM A GRANDMOTHER AND THE MORE EXPERIENCES WE HAVE IN LIFE THE MORE ACCESSIBLE AND MORE UNDERSTANDABLE WE WILL BE NOT ONLY OF OURSELVES BUT PEOPLE WILL BE ABLE TO UNDERSTAND US.

WE MIGHT OFTEN SPEAK THE SAME LANGUAGE AND UNDERSTAND WHAT A PERSON IS SAYING AND PEOPLE UNDERSTAND US.

IT IS IMPORTANT THAT THE JUDGE HAS AN AFFINITY FOR THE LIVES OF THE PEOPLE BEFORE HIM OR HER.

>> THANK YOU VERY MUCH.

THE NEXT QUESTION IS GOING TO BE ASKED BY ME.

AND THAT IS, HOW WOULD YOU DESCRIBE YOUR JUDICIAL PHILOSOPHY?

IS IT FLAVORED AT ALL BY YOUR POLITICS AND HOW DOES IT GUIDE YOUR DECISION MAKING EITHER WAY?

WE ARE GOING TO START WITH MS. RIGGANS.

>> LaShawn Riggans: I CONSIDER MY PHILOSOPHY TO BE MODERATE.

I BELIEVE THERE HAS TO BE A BALANCE THAT THE SCALES OF JUSTICE INDEED NEED TO STRIVE TO BALANCE THE SCALES.

I BELIEVE IN UPHOLDING THE RULE OF LAW.

BUT ALSO MAKING SURE THAT WE ARE PROTECTING THE RIGHTS OF INDIVIDUALS AND MAKING SURE INDIVIDUAL LIBERTIES ARE PROTECTED.

MY CAREER IN THE MILITARY, I HAVE BEEN A PUBLIC SERVANT MY ENTIRE CAREER.

THOSE VALUES FROM THE MILITARY AND INTO PRACTICE LAW ENTRENCHED IN ME THE SENSE OF FAIRNESS AND EQUITY.

MAKING SURE THAT PEOPLE ARE TREATED WITH RESPECT AND FAIRNESS AND YOU ARE LISTENING AND PEOPLE FEEL LIKE THEY HAVE BEEN HEARD.

AT THE END OF THE DAY WHILE YOU MUST APPLY THE LAW, YOU COULD DO IT IN A MANNER IN WHICH IT IS EQUITABLE, RESPECTFUL, AND PEOPLE FEEL HEARD.

>> THANK YOU VERY MUCH.

NEXT IS MS. BROWN.

>> Cydnee Brown: THANK YOU FOR THAT QUESTION.

I THINK IT IS IMPORTANT IN DEVELOPING A PHILOSOPHY IS TO PUT YOUR FINGER ON WHAT STARTED HAPPENING.

WHEN I ATTENDED THE UNIVERSITY OF WEST FLORIDA MY CHILDREN WERE 14 YEARS OLD.

MY SON WAS ARRESTED.

I ATTENDED JUVENILE COURT FOR THE FIRST TIME.

I ACTUALLY SAW MY SON IN HANDCUFFS AND SHACKLES AND THE JUDGE TELL ME THAT HE COULDN'T COME HOME WITH ME.

I STOOD ON THE OTHER SIDE OF THE BAR WENT TO THE PROSECUTOR AND I THOUGHT I HATED HER.

BY THE TIME IT WAS ALL SAID AND DONE, I BROUGHT HER FLOWERS AND THANKED HER THE LAST TIME I SAW HER.

THAT IS WHEN I WAS INSPIRED TO BECOME A LAWYER.

AS A PROSECUTOR RIGHT HERE IN LEON COUNTY, I WAS IN JUVENILE COURT.

AS FAR AS I WAS CONCERNED, I LOOKED FOR JUSTICE AND FOUND IT, ALL OF IT, IMPLEMENTED IT REGARDLESS OF WHAT SIDE OF THE COURTROOM, I FOUND IT.

THAT WAS IMPORTANT TO ME.

>> THANK YOU VERY MUCH.

AND FINALLY MR. CHURCHILL.

>> Robert Churchill: I WILL NOT CHARACTERIZE MY JUDICIAL PHILOSOPHY IS ONE OF JUDICIAL RESTRAINT.

I THINK JUDICIAL POWER IS KIND OF LIKE THE REVERSE GEAR IN A CAR OR A TRUCK.

WHICH IS, YOU HAVE TO HAVE THAT GEAR AND THE CAR IS NOT ROADWORTHY WITHOUT IT.

YOU NEED TO USE IT AS LITTLE AS POSSIBLE.

WHEN YOU USE THE REVERSE GEAR TOO MUCH YOU END UP BACKING INTO THINGS THAT YOU DID NOT KNOW WAS THERE.

THAT IS THE WAY JUDICIAL POWER WORKS IN MY VIEW.

YOU ARE REQUIRED TO USE RESTRAINT.

THERE IS PLENTY OF WORK TO DO IN THE COUNTY COURT.

PLENTY OF JOBS TO BE DONE AND NUANCE AN INTERESTING QUESTION TO TACKLE.

WHERE YOU DO NOT HAVE TO MAKE POLICY OR DELVE INTO THE AREAS AND THE PROVIDENCE OF LEGISLATURE AND EXECUTIVE.

COUNTY COURT JUDGES ARE NOT ASKED TO DO SO BUT THAT IS MY VIEW OF THE ROLE OF THE JUDICIARY.

>> THANK YOU VERY MUCH.

ON TOP OF PHILOSOPHY THERE IS ALSO SOMETHING CALLED JUDICIAL TEMPERAMENT.

WE HEAR THAT AN NOWADAYS.

WE WANTED TO ASK A QUESTION ABOUT THAT SPECIFICALLY.

HOW WOULD YOU DESCRIBE THE QUALITIES OF A GOOD JUDGE AND HOW DO YOU EMBODY THOSE QUALITIES?

ONE MINUTE PER RESPONSE.

MS. BROWN CAN WE START WITH YOU PLEASE?

>> Cydnee Brown: I WAS IN DEPENDENCY COURT FOR YEARS IN LEON COUNTY.

IF YOU HAVE EVER BEEN IN DEPENDENCY COURT THERE IS MORE LAWYERS THAN THERE ARE LITIGANTS OR PARTIES.

BUT WE HAD DEVELOPED A KINSHIP.

SOMETIMES WE HAD VERY CHALLENGING CASES AND SOME LAWYERS WOULD GET UPSET AND SOME LAWYERS WILL CRY.

WE USED TO GET ALL KIND OF THINGS GOING ON AND ONE THING I WAS REPUTED FOR AND WHAT THEY TOLD ME ABOUT MYSELF THAT I HAD NOTICED.

THEY SAID CYDNEE BROWN THE WORST IT GETS THE SOFTER YOUR VOICE BECOMES.

YOU WILL NOT LET ME SEE YOU SWEAT.

TO ME IT IS IMPORTANT TO CONTROL THOSE ELEMENTS.

WHEN YOU ARE OUT OF CONTROL YOU CANNOT HEAR AND YOU DO NOT UNDERSTAND AND ALL YOU CARE ABOUT IS YOUR POINT.

AS A JUDGE, YOU HAVE TO BE ABLE TO HEAR EVERYBODY AND BE ABLE TO WAIT THINGS OUT AND I JUST WAIT FOR SOMEONE ELSE TO FINISH SO YOU CAN GET BACK TO YOURS.

>> MR. CHURCHILL?

>> Robert Churchill: MY VIEW OF THE CENTRAL CHARACTER QUALITIES OF A JUDGE IS THAT THEY NEED TO BE TEMPERATE, WELL STUDIED, WELL REASONED.

I'VE ASKED AROUND AND JUDGES THAT I RESPECT THIS QUESTION ABOUT THEIR THOUGHTS ON THIS AND THE ONE THAT I LIKE THE BEST IS ONE THAT I HEARD RECENTLY.

JUDGES NEED TO LISTEN MORE THAN THEY TALK AND THEY NEED TO BE PREPARED TO EXPLAIN THEIR REASONING TO THE PEOPLE WHO ARE AFFECTED BY THE RULINGS.

BEYOND THAT, I THINK A JUDGE SHOULD NOT BE DELVING TOO FAR INTO OTHER CONCERNS THAT ARE NOT THE CENTRAL QUESTION BEFORE THE COURT.

AS I INDICATED JUDGES HAVE PLENTY OF WORK TO DO TO DECIDE THE CASES BEFORE THEM.

PEOPLE ARE OLD ANSWERS FOR THE REASONING AND THAT IS ABOUT IT.

I THINK THE CENTRAL QUALITY OF THE JUDGES TO BE TEMPERATE, LISTEN WELL, AND EXPLAIN WELL AS NECESSARY.

>> WILL WRAP UP THIS LINE OF QUESTIONING WITH MS. RIGGANS.

>> LaShawn Riggans: I THINK THE JUDGE IS TEMPERATE SHOULD BE CALM, THEY SHOULD BE PATIENT, THEY SHOULD BE GOOD LISTENERS, THEY SHOULD BE EMPATHETIC, THEY SHOULD BE KNOWLEDGEABLE OF THE LAW, THEY SHOULD BE ABLE TO HAVE ANALYTICAL SKILLS, CRITICAL THINKING SKILLS AND BE ABLE TO PUT THOSE SKILLS TO WORK AT THE CASES BEFORE THEM.

I THINK THAT THEY NEED TO LISTEN AND GOVERN THEMSELVES JUDICIOUSLY.

APPLY THE LAW FAIR AND EQUITABLY AND ALWAYS BEING RESPECTFUL OF THE PEOPLE THAT ARE BEFORE THEM.

IN ESSENCE, YOU HAVE TO TREAT PEOPLE WITH RESPECT.

LISTEN, APPLY THE LAW, AND CARE ABOUT THE CASES THAT ARE BEFORE YOU.

>> MR. MUNRO OFF TO YOU.

>> WE WILL START WITH MR. CHURCHILL.

ACCORDING TO RECENT COUNSEL REPORT 20 PEOPLE CHARGED WITH MISDEMEANOR OFFENSES WERE BEING HELD IN LEON COUNTY DETENTION FACILITY FOR AN AVERAGE OF 22 DAYS WITH BAIL AMOUNTS MORE THAN $1000.

IT IS AFFORDABILITY AND APPROPRIATE CONSIDERATION IN DETERMINING THE AMOUNT OF BAIL A PERSON MUST PAY TO BE RELEASED FROM JAIL WHILE AWAITING TRIAL?

>> JUST DOESN'T NOTICE THIS IS A TWO PART QUESTION SO WE ARE GOING TO DO 30 SECONDS EACH.

MR. CHURCHILL GO AHEAD.

>> Robert Churchill: AFFORDABILITY IS NOT AN APPROPRIATE QUESTION FOR A DETERMINATION OF A BAIL AMOUNTS.

WHERE THIS BECOMES A THORNY QUESTION IS WHERE THERE ARE PROGRAMS THAT ARE IN PLACE THAT HAVE BEEN DESIGNED TO ALLOW PEOPLE TO FACILITATE OTHER METHODS BY WHICH PRETRIAL RELEASE WHERE THEY CAN BOND OUT.

IN THOSE SITUATIONS THE COLLATERAL CONSEQUENCES OF THOSE IF THEY HAVE OTHER RESPONSIBILITIES.

YOU HAVE TO CHECK IN, PAY FEES DOWN THE ROWS -- ROAD AND I DON'T THINK IT IS AN IMPORTANT FACTOR BUT I AS A FOLLOW-UP -- CTOR.

>> LET'S HAVE THEM ALL FOLLOW THAT QUESTION.

>> LaShawn Riggans: CAN YOU REPEAT THE QUESTION?

>> IS AFFORDABILITY AND APPROPRIATE CONSIDERATION IN DETERMINING THE AMOUNT OF BAIL A PERSON MUST PAY TO BE RELEASED FROM JAIL WHILE AWAITING TRIAL?

>> LaShawn Riggans: I DO NOT BELIEVE AFFORDABILITY IS THE MEASURING STICK.

I BELIEVE THE MEASURING STICK SHOULD BE BASED ON FACTORS SUCH AS THE CRIME THAT HAS BEEN COMMITTED, THE RISK TO NOT APPEARING TO COURT.

THE RISK TO SOCIETY IF THE PERSON IS RELEASED AND THOSE TYPES OF CHARACTERISTICS TO MAKE SURE WE ARE PROTECTING SOCIETY WHEN WE ARE SETTING BOND.

BUT NOT AFFORDABILITY, NO.

>> MS. BROWN?

>> Cydnee Brown: I DON'T THINK AFFORDABILITY SHOULD BE CONSIDERED.

IF YOU LOOK AT IT REALISTICALLY MOST PEOPLE THAT BOND OUT GET THE MONEY FROM SOMEPLACE ELSE.

THE PURPOSE OF BOND IS IF YOU PUT YOUR MONEY ON THE LINE THEN YOU ARE MORE LIKELY TO COME BACK TO COURT.

NO FLIGHT RISK AND FAILURE TO APPEAR.

WHEN MOM IS PUTTING HER HOUSE UP AND GETTING A SECOND MORTGAGE AND THE WHOLE FAMILY IS BORROWING MONEY FROM EVERYBODY AND THAT PERSON BONDS OUT, THEY HAD NOT PAID A PENNY.

IT SHOULDN'T BE FACTOR.

>> DO YOU SEE A RACIAL DISPARITY IN SENTENCING IN LEON COUNTY?

MR. CHURCHILL?

>> Robert Churchill: I DO NOT.

I DON'T THINK THERE'S ANY QUESTION THAT THE STATISTICS SHOW THAT THERE ARE SOME POPULATIONS THAT ARE MORE AFFECTED JUST BY THE NUMBER OF PEOPLE THAT ARE SENTENCE ARE CHARGED.

THERE ARE SERIOUS QUESTIONS TO BE ASKED ABOUT THAT.

IF THE QUESTION IS RELATING TO SENTENCES -- SENTENCING, I THINK EVERY CASE IS EVALUATED ON ITS MERITS.

>> MS. RIGGANS?

>> LaShawn Riggans: I DO NOT THINK THERE IS A SENTENCING DISPARITY.

I THINK THERE IS A DISPARITY AMONGST THE CRIMES THAT PEOPLE ARE GETTING ARRESTED FOR.

I THINK THERE ARE A LOT MORE CRIMES THAT YOU SEE WITH ONE PARTICULAR GROUP THAN OTHERS.

BUT IN REGARDS TO SENTENCING, NO I DO THINK THE JUDGES APPLY THE LAW FAIRLY AND EQUITABLY.

Brown: I BELIEVE DISPARITIES IS FROM THE TIME OF ARREST TO THE TIME OF SENTENCING.

I AM NOT GOING TO SAY IT IS SEEN IN EVERY COURTROOM BY EVERY JUDGE.

I HAVE BEEN IN FRONT OF MOST OF THE JUDGES HERE IN THE SECOND CIRCUIT.

WE HAVE GREAT JUDGES.

HOWEVER, I HAVE TO BE ABLE TO RECOGNIZE THAT THERE IS A DISPARITY.

THERE IS A DISPARITY ON LAW ENFORCEMENT OF WHO GETS CHARGED.

SOME PEOPLE MAY GET CHARGED WITH DRUGS AND OTHERS GET TO GO HOME.

AND ONCE THEY COME THERE'S OFTEN A DISPARITY THAT IS USED AND APPLIED.

>> THANK YOU VERY MUCH.

NEXT QUESTION IS FOR ME.

IT IS, WHAT STEPS IF ELECTED WHAT STEPS WOULD YOU TAKE TO ENSURE YOUR INDEPENDENCE FROM POLITICAL OR ANY OTHER EXTERNAL PRESSURES?

THIS TIME WE ARE GOING TO START WITH MS. RIGGANS.

>> LaShawn Riggans: THAT IS AN EASY ONE FOR ME.

THERE ARE NO EXTERNAL PRESSURES THAT I FACE.

I HAVE RUN MY CAMPAIGN GRASSROOTS SURROUNDED BY FRIENDS AND FAMILY.

I AM NOT BEHOLDING TO ANYONE.

I BELIEVE IN LAW, THE RULE OF LAW, I BELIEVE IN JUSTICE AND EQUALITY.

THAT IS WHAT I AM GOING TO DO IF ELECTED.

REGARDLESS OF WHAT IS BEING PUT ON SOCIAL MEDIA AND WHAT IS IN THE NEWS.

WHAT PEOPLE ARE SAYING SHOULD HAPPEN, MY JOB IS TO LISTEN TO THE EVIDENCE, APPLY THE LAW AND SENTENCE FAIRLY.

THAT IS EXACTLY WHAT I INTEND TO DO.

>> THANK YOU VERY MUCH.

MS. BROWN YOU ARE NEXT.

>> Cydnee Brown: CAN YOU REPEAT THE QUESTION?

>> WHAT STEPS WOULD YOU TAKE IF ELECTED TO ENSURE YOUR INDEPENDENCE FROM POLITICAL AND ANY OTHER EXTERNAL PRESSURES?

>> Cydnee Brown: I AGREE WITH MS. RIGGANS.

THERE WILL BE NO PRESSURES.

THAT IS MY CHARACTER.

ON THE BENCH OR BEFORE BEING ON THE BENCH THAT IS HOW I LIVE MY LIFE.

I HAVE A VERY STRONG ETHICAL CODE THAT I LIVE BY.

AS FORMER MILITARY AND A LOT OF DIFFERENT POSITIONS RULES ARE VERY IMPORTANT AND I AM A RULE KEEPER.

MY INTEGRITY IS SUCH THAT CERTAIN THINGS I CAN'T COMMIT TO HAPPEN TO EXIST IN MY LIFE.

I HAVE TO LOOK AT MYSELF IN THE MIRROR.

>> THANK YOU VERY MUCH.

FINALLY MR. CHURCHILL?

>> Robert Churchill: I AM ONE OF THOSE PEOPLE WHO TAKES ABSOLUTELY NO DELIGHT IN THE FACT THAT THESE DAYS IT SEEMS LIKE ALMOST EVERYTHING HAS BECOME POLITICAL.

THE CULTURE WARS ETC.

AND ONE OF THE GREAT PRIVILEGES OF THE JOB OF BEING A JUDGE AND THE WAY THE JOB IS REGULATED IN FLORIDA IS THAT YOU DO NOT PARTICIPATE IN SUCH CONVERSATIONS.

THE OPPORTUNITY WE ALL HAVE IS NEARLY CONSTANT OR A JUDICIAL CANDIDATE HAS AN OBLIGATION AND DUTY TO SAY, I AM NOT TALKING ABOUT THAT AND I DO HAVE AN OPINION ON THAT.

THAT IS WHAT I SAID TO DO IS TO BASICALLY INSULATE AND ISOLATE MYSELF FROM SUCH DISCUSSION.

>> THANK YOU VERY MUCH.

TOM?

>> WE HAVE A CONNECTED LINE OF INQUIRY THAT WE CAN PURSUE FOR JUST A MOMENT.

EVERYONE GETS A MINUTE TO RESPOND ON THIS ONE.

JUDGES ARE HELD TO HIGH STANDARDS AS EMBODIED IN THE STATE CODE OF JUDICIAL CONDUCT.

COULD YOU PROVIDE AN EXAMPLE OF A DIFFICULT ETHICAL DECISION THAT YOU HAD TO MAKE IN YOUR LEGAL CAREER AND HOW YOU HANDLED IT?

YOU GET ONE MINUTE.

LET'S START WITH MR. CHURCHILL?

>> Robert Churchill: I AM A LITIGATION ATTORNEY.

THE WAY OUR SYSTEM WORKS IS AN ADVERSARIAL PROCESS WHERE ESSENTIALLY YOU HAVE TWO SIDES FIGHT IT OUT BEFORE A DECIDER BUT THAT IS A JUDGE OR A JURY.

WE ARE IN A CONTEST AND I AM JUST TRYING TO WIN.

WHEN YOU'RE TRYING TO WIN SOME CLIENTS WILL SAY, LET'S DO IT THIS WAY.

OR WHY DON'T WE DO THE SUGGESTION.

THE SUGGESTIONS THAT HAVE BEEN PUT TO ME IN SOME CASES WOULD TAKE US UP TO AN ETHICAL LINE.

MY JOB AS AN ATTORNEY IS TO SAY, NO, WE DO NOT DO THAT HERE.

WE ARE GOING TO DO EVERYTHING WE CAN TO WIN THIS CASE ON MERITS AND THE RIGHT WAY.

THOSE ARE ETHICAL DILEMMAS THAT ALL LITIGATION ATTORNEY SPACE AND IT HAS BEEN TRUE OF ME AND MY CAREER.

I HAVEN'T BEEN TO THEM.

>> MS. RIGGANS CAN YOU TAKE A SPECIFIC PERSONAL EXAMPLE?

>> LaShawn Riggans: I HAVE TO AGREE WITH MR. CHURCHILL.

I AM ALSO A LITIGATION ATTORNEY AND CLIENT OFTEN IN TRYING TO GET END RESULTS WANT THOSE RESULTS BY ANY MEANS NECESSARY TO GET THEM.

IT IS ALSO CHALLENGING WHEN THE CLIENT IS YOUR EMPLOYER.

YOUR EMPLOYER WANTS YOU TO DO SOMETHING TO ENSURE THAT THEY WIN THE CASE.

MY JOB IS TO GIVE THEM A DEVICE AND GIVE THEM THE BEST POSSIBLE ADVICE THAN I CAN.

I AM NEVER GOING TO SACRIFICE MY MORALS OR WHAT I BELIEVE IS RIGHT OR WRONG.

I AM ALWAYS GOING TO GIVE THEM THE LAW THE WAY THAT IT IS INTENDED.

THE CHOICE IS THEIRS.

I AM ALWAYS GOING TO CHOOSE TO DO THE RIGHT THING.

>> THANK YOU.

MS. BROWN YOUR TURN.

>> Cydnee Brown: HAVING MY OWN PRACTICE SINCE 2007 BUT IN 2003 I STARTED WORKING FOR THE STATE ATTORNEY'S OFFICE.

IN THE JUVENILE DIVISION.

MY SUPERVISOR WANTED ME TO CHARGE A JUVENILE A CERTAIN WAY THAT WOULD HAVE AFFECTED HIM FOR LIFE AND VERY ADVERSELY.

I DID NOT AGREE WITH IT.

HE SAID, ADVISED ME TO TELL PEOPLE TELL THEM THAT I DID IT.

I SAID I STILL CAN'T DO IT.

I FELT I TOLD HIM THAT IS NOT WHY I AM HERE AND I CAN'T BE MY LEGACY.

HE ENDED UP GOING TO THE STATE ATTORNEYS AND TOLD HIM THE SITUATION.

I FELT LIKE IF I PERISH AT PARIS BUT I'M GOING TO STAND MY GROUND BECAUSE THAT'S HOW I FEEL ABOUT IT.

WHEN HE CAME BACK HE SAID GIVE THE CASE BACK.

>> VERY GOOD.

>> WE WILL START WITH A ONE MINUTE QUESTION.

WHAT WOULD YOU CALL YOUR GREATEST ACCOMPLISHMENT IN YOUR LEGAL CAREER.

WE WILL START WITH MS. BROWN.

>> Cydnee Brown: I HAVE HAD SOME GREAT ACCOMPLISHMENTS BUT I CAN'T REALLY WAY OUT ONE PARTICULAR ONE.

I AM A TRIAL ATTORNEY AND DEFENSE ATTORNEY.

THERE IS NOTHING LIKE A CLIENT A DEFENDANT THAT YOU HAVE BEEN REPRESENTING WHO IS LITERALLY PUT HIS LIFE IN YOUR HANDS.

WHEN THE JURY COMES BACK AND SAYS, NOT GUILTY.

COUPLE THAT WITH HAGGLING THAT YOU DO WITH THE STATE WHEN YOU KNOW THEY ARE WRONGLY CHARGING YOUR CLIENT.

WHEN THEY REDUCE THE CHARGES FROM THIRD-DEGREE FELONIES TO MISDEMEANORS.

THOSE ARE MY GREATEST ACCOMPLISHMENTS.

>> MS. RIGGANS?

>> LaShawn Riggans: MY GREATEST ACCOMPLISHMENT IS TO BE SITTING HERE BEFORE YOU TODAY.

I WAS RECENTLY HONORED BY THE TALLAHASSEE WOMEN LAWYERS ASSOCIATION WITH THE ROSE KITCHEN AWARD WITH CELEBRATED A WOMAN WHO HAD TRIUMPHED OVER ADVERSITY.

AND ESSENTIALLY OVERALL ONCE MANAGED TO BECOME A LAWYER AND TO PRACTICE LAW FROM STUDYING AT NIGHT AND SNEAKING TO CLASS AND THINGS OF THAT NATURE.

AND TO BE HONORED WITH THAT AWARD AND BEING IN THE COMPANY OF OTHER WOMEN WHO RECEIVED THAT AWARD WAS PROBABLY THE GREATEST AWARDS THAT I HAVE RECEIVED IN MY LIFE.

THE FACT THAT THEY RECOGNIZE THE STRUGGLE AND WHAT IT TOOK FOR ME TO BE HERE AND THE ADVERSITY AND THINGS THAT I WENT THROUGH TO LAW SCHOOL, THROUGH MY LEGAL CAREER AND THE STRUGGLES I HAD.

AND YET I AM AND STILL IN THE POSITION WHERE I AM SITTING HERE BEFORE YOU TODAY.

THAT IS MY GREATEST ACCOMPLISHMENT.

>> THANK YOU, MR. CHURCHILL?

>> Robert Churchill: MY GREATEST ACCOMPLISHMENT IN MY LEGAL CAREER IS BUILDING A EACH BUSINESS THAT FOCUSES MY PRACTICE IN COUNTY COURT.

WHEN I WENT OUT ON MY OWN IN 2006, I DID NOT HAVE ANY IDEA HOW TO RUN A BUSINESS.

I HAVE NEVER MISSED PAYROLL IN THE 18 YEARS THAT HAVE BEEN RUNNING A BUSINESS.

HAVE BRANCH OFFICES IN ST. PETERSBURG, PENSACOLA, JACKSONVILLE AND THOMASVILLE, GEORGIA.

THE BEST ADVICE I GOT WHEN I STARTED THE BUSINESS WAS DO WHAT NO ONE ELSE IS DOING AND BE GOOD TO THE PEOPLE THAT YOU INTERACT WITH EVERY DAY.

THAT IS WHAT I HAVE TRIED TO DO AND IT HAS WORKED OUT.

THAT IS IN MY VIEW THE GREATEST ACCOMPLISHMENTS I HAVE HAD IN MY LEGAL CAREER AND THE HARDEST AND BEST DECISION I EVER MADE IN MY LEGAL CAREER.

>> BACK TO ME I GUESS.

THANK YOU VERY MUCH.

MY QUESTION IS, HOW WILL YOU APPROACH THE TASK OF INTERPRETING THE LAW?

WHAT SOURCES OR APPROACHES DO YOU CONSIDER MOST ARE AUTHORITATIVE?

FOR THIS QUESTION LET'S START WITH MS. RIGGANS.

>> LaShawn Riggans: THE LAW IS WRITTEN BY THE LEGISLATURE.

IN COUNTY COURT THE LAWS THAT YOU DEAL WITH FROM APPLYING THEM TO THE ELEMENTS OF CRIMES TO WEIGHING EVIDENCE AND THE CREDIBILITY OF THE EVIDENCE.

AND THEN THERE IS CASE LAW OUT THERE THAT ALSO GUIDE YOUR DECISIONS IF YOU HAVE QUESTIONS AS TO HOW THE LAW HAS BEEN APPLIED IN THE PAST AND SIMILAR CIRCUMSTANCES.

ALTHOUGH I FEEL THAT THE LAW IS PRETTY EASILY TO BE INTERPRETED AS WRITTEN IN STATUTE WHENEVER THERE ARE ISSUES TO THE INTERPRETATION THEN YOU GO TO THE OTHER COURTS AND THE LAWS THAT HAVE ALREADY BEEN INTERPRETED BY OTHER JUDGES.

YOU APPLY IT IN THAT ASPECT.

>> THANK YOU FOR THAT ANSWER.

NEXT IS MS. BROWN.

>> Cydnee Brown: I THINK WE HAVE A JUDICIAL SYSTEM IN AMERICA THAT MAKES A SHOE IN IN INTERPRETING THE LAW.

I DON'T THINK IT IS REALLY MY JOB TO INTERPRET BECAUSE THERE'S SO MANY THAT HAVE ALREADY DONE SO.

AND IN THE COUNTY COURT ESPECIALLY.

BUT THE APPLICATION OF THE LAW TO ME IS WHAT WE REALLY NEED TO FOCUS.

IT NEEDS TO BE APPLIED FAIRLY.

SOMETIMES IN APPLYING THE LAW IT NEEDS TO BE APPLIED IN THE LIGHT.

THERE ARE OTHER TIMES DEPENDING ON THE FACTS IT FLIP-FLOPS AND NEED TO BE APPLIED IN THE LIGHT THAT IS MOST FAVORABLE TO THE STATE.

IT IS ABOUT BEING FLEXIBLE AND IT IS ABOUT BEING HUMANE.

IT IS THE HUMAN ELEMENT THAT SETS US APART FROM EVERYTHING ELSE.

OTHER THAN THAT THEY CAN GO BY THE RULEBOOKS, GET THE CASE LAW AND LET THE FOUR CORNERS OF THE DOCUMENT DETERMINE THE FACTS AND THIS IS HOW WE APPLY IT.

WHAT ABOUT WHEN IT IS INGESTED, ROLLED OVER MULLED OVER AND IT HAS TO COME OUT RIGHT.

>> THANK YOU.

MR. CHURCHILL?

>> Robert Churchill: THE QUESTION OF HOW LAWS ARE TO BE INTERPRETED BY THE COURT SYSTEM IS USUALLY AN EASY QUESTION TO ANSWER BY READING THE LAW.

WE ARE TALKING ABOUT STATUTES BY THE LEGISLATURE AND THE LEGISLATURE GO THROUGH ITS OWN PROCESS AND HAS COMMITTEE PROCESS ETC.

AND THEY VOTE ON THE LAW.

THE LAW IS WRITTEN IS THE PRODUCT OF THAT PROCESS.

IT IS NOT THE ROLE OF A JUDGE TO LOOK BEHIND HOW THEY GOT TO THE DECISION OF WHAT THE LAW IS.

IT IS TO SIMPLY READ THE LAW AS IT IS WRITTEN.

AND TO APPLY IT AS IT IS WRITTEN.

USUALLY THAT IS NOT A DIFFICULT TASK.

A COUNTY JUDGE IS BOUND BY A PALLET PRESIDENT SO THE FLORIDA SUPREME COURT IN OUR DISTRICT WILL BE THE FIRST DISTRICT COURTS OF APPEAL HERE IN TALLAHASSEE.

IT WILL BIND THE LOWER COURTS AND BOUND OUR DEMAND BY THEIR INTERPRETATION OF LAW.

OTHER THAN THAT IT IS READING IT.

>> THE FLORIDA SUPREME COURT AND I'M SURE YOU ARE AWARE OF THE MOTTO OF THE FLORIDA SUPREME COURT IS.[INDISCERNIBLE].

IT IS MOST OFTEN TRANSLATED AS SOON AND OF - - SOON ENOUGH AS IF -- IS CORRECT.

THE RESOLUTIONS SO WOMAN AND FOR THE RESPONSE.

AND MS. BROWN OF HIS GUY WITH I'M GOING TO DO TO MANAGE MY COURTROOM IS IS TO PAY CLOSE ATTENTION WHEN I GO TO JUDGE SCHOOL.

AND LET THEM TELL ME BECAUSE I KNOW HOW TO MANAGE A CLASSROOM AND I KNOW HOW TO MANAGE MY BUSINESS.

I KNEW HOW TO MANAGE THE F-15 AIRCRAFT THAT I WAS IN CHARGE OF A TYNDALL AIR FORCE BASE.

THIS ONE IS HEARTS OF A DIFFERENT COLOR.

I DO NOT DOUBT MY ABILITY TO DO SO.

I NEED SOME INSTRUCTIONS ON THE SPECIFICS OF MANAGING A COURTROOM.

I HAVE NO REASON TO THINK THAT I WOULD DO ANYTHING BUT EXCEPTIONALLY.

>> MR. CHURCHILL?

>> Robert Churchill: WHAT I THINK I WOULD DO FOR PURPOSE OF MANAGING THE COURTROOM AND MANAGING THE FLOW OF THE DOCKET, I THINK THE QUESTION HAD TO DEAL WITH THE CASELOAD REALLY.

THERE'S A CIVIL ON THE CIVIL SIDE THERE IS A BACKLOG OF CASES THAT IS LEFT OVER FROM COVID AND THAT IS BECAUSE WHEN THE COURTS WERE SHUT DOWN FOR A PERIOD OF TIME CRIMINAL COURT CASES GOT FIRST PRIORITY AND CIVIL CASES BACK UP.

THERE ARE TOOLS THAT ARE AVAILABLE TO JUDGES AND NOW TO ESSENTIALLY PUT UNDERUTILIZED IN DIFFERENT COURTS AROUND THE STATE TO MOVE CASES THROUGH.

FOR EXAMPLE IN SMALL CLAIMS COURT WHERE WAS FOR SEVEN DIFFERENT PEOPLE THIS MORNING A JUDGE HAS AUTHORITY UNDER THE SMALL CLAIMS RULES TO SAY, I CAN PUT YOU MRS. SMITH AND A PAYMENT PLAN TODAY.

IT CAN BE $100 TODAY IF YOU WANT TO DO THAT.

THE COURT HAS DISCRETION TO DO THAT MANY TIMES SHE SAYS, LET'S DO THAT AND THAT IS THE WAY THEY DO IT IN ESCAMBIA COUNTY.

THEY DO NOT DO THAT HERE.

THERE ARE OTHER EXAMPLES OF TOOLS THAT CAN BE USED THAT WAY TO CLEAR THE DOCKET AND MOVE CASES THROUGH AND PEOPLE FEEL SEEN AND HEARD AND UNDERSTOOD.

>> LaShawn Riggans: WHEN YOU MANAGE A CASELOAD YOU HAVE TO PRIORITIZE.

YOU HAVE TO TAKE THOSE CASES THAT HAVE HIGHER OUTCOMES, CRIMINAL CASES AND ESPECIALLY THOSE WHERE THERE MAY BE A PERSON WHO IS INCARCERATED AND YOU HAVE TO MOVE THOSE CASES FIRST.

YOU HAVE TO SET TIME SCHEDULES IN WHICH THINGS HAVE TO GET DONE AND ENSURE THAT THE ATTORNEYS ARE ADHERING TO THE TIME SCHEDULES.

OF COURSE CONTINUANCES AND THINGS LIKE THAT HAPPEN BUT THE JUDGE HAVE THE DISCRETION NOT TO JUST KEEP GIVING CONTINUANCE AFTER CONTINUANCE AND HOLD ATTORNEYS ACCOUNTABLE AND HANDLING THE CASES AND GET THE WORK DONE TO MOVE THE CASES THROUGH THE DOCKET.

I PLAN TO PRIORITIZE AND HOLD ATTORNEYS ACCOUNTABLE FOR GETTING THE CASES THROUGH THE DOCKET.

>> THANK YOU.

YOU HAVE ONE MINUTE EACH TO RESPOND TO THIS QUESTION.

IT IS A FUNDAMENTAL QUESTION.

AS AN ATTORNEY HAVE YOU EVER HAD TO SUPPORT OR DEFEND A LEGAL POSITION THAT WAS CONCURRED TO YOUR PERSONAL BELIEFS AND HOW DID YOU DO IT?

WE WILL START WITH MR. CHURCHILL?

>> Robert Churchill: I HAVE PROBABLY YES.

IT WOULD TAKE ME A MOMENT TO RECALL BUT ESSENTIALLY WHEN YOU ARE MAKING A LEGAL ARGUMENT ON BEHALF OF ACCOUNT LIENS WHICH ARE DEMANDING IS THAT SOMEBODY MEET THEIR BURDEN OF PROOF.

THERE ARE SOME PEOPLE WHO ARE BEING IRRESPONSIBLE.

THERE IS A LINE AND ETHICAL LINE THAT ATTORNEYS ARE NOT ALLOWED TO CROSS.

I TELL MY CLIENTS WHEN THEY HIRE ME AS THERE ARE THREE WAYS FOR ME TO FIRE YOU.

ONE OF THOSE WAYS IS FOR YOU TO ASK ME TO COMMIT A CRIME.

THAT LINE BEING INVITED BY CLIENT TO BREAK ETHICAL RULES IS SOMETHING I WILL NOT CROSS.

I DO NOT THINK I EVER HAD A POSITION WHERE I'VE HAD TO TAKE THE POSITION IN COURT THAT I COULDN'T STAND BEHIND.

>> THANK YOU.

MRS. RIGGANS?

>> LaShawn Riggans: I CAN'T SAY THAT I HAVE.

I HAVE A PRETTY WONDERFUL CAREER.

EVEN AS A PROSECUTOR, I HAD THE DISCRETION TO DECIDE WHAT CASES WOULD GET PROSECUTED.

IF I DID NOT BELIEVE IN THE CASE AND I DID NOT BELIEVE THAT I COULD PROVE THE ELEMENTS OF THE CRIME THEN I HAD THE DISCRETION OF NOT PROSECUTING THE CASE.

I HAVE NEVER BEEN FORCED OR PUT IN THE POSITION WHERE I HAVE HAD TO CHOOSE THE DIVIDE BETWEEN MY MORAL COMPASS AND WOULD HAVE BEEN ASKED TO ME AS AN ATTORNEY.

EVEN WORKING FOR LEON COUNTY WORKING FOR BOARD OF ELECTED OFFICIALS, THEY DO NOT ALWAYS AGREE.

BUT THEY HAVE NEVER PUT THEIR POLITICS AND THEIR DISPUTES IN THE COUNTY ATTORNEY'S OFFICE.

IT IS ALWAYS BEEN HERE IS THE ISSUE, HOW DO WE GET TO A RESOLUTION?

I HAVE NEVER BEEN PUT IN A POSITION WHERE I'VE HAD TO CHOOSE.

NOR WOULD I.

>> THANK YOU.

MRS. BROWN?

>> Cydnee Brown: I HAVE ONE CASE THAT COMES TO MIND AS A DEFENSE ATTORNEY.

I AGREE WITH MS. MUN.

IT IS EASY AS A PROSECUTOR BECAUSE YOU HAVE CONTROL OF THE CASE.

A LOT OF PEOPLE THINK THE CASE BELONG TO THE JUDGES BUT THEY DON'T.

THE CASES BELONG TO THE STATE.

IN THIS PARTICULAR INSTANCE I WAS A DEFENSE ATTORNEY AND I NEVER ASKED MY CLIENTS WHERE THEY WERE THEY WERE INNOCENT OR GUILTY.

A PERSON IS INNOCENT UNTIL PROVEN GUILTY AND THE STATE BURDEN TO PROVE BEYOND A REASONABLE DOUBT.

IN THIS CASE WENT TO TRIAL AND THIS MAN CRIED LIKE A BABY WHEN THE JURY CAME BACK AND FOUND HIM NOT GUILTY.

I THINK IT WAS BECAUSE HE PROBABLY KNEW THAT HE WASN'T.

I SUSPECTED THAT HE WAS IN.

I HAD TO PUT THAT ASIDE BECAUSE AS AN ATTORNEY THIS IS WHAT I SIGNED UP FOR.

AS A DEFENSE ATTORNEY, YOU HAVE TO DEFEND AS LONG AS YOU'RE NOT PUT ETHICALLY CHALLENGED OR TO COMMIT A CRIME IN ORDER TO DO IT AND THAT WAS MY JOB.

TO MAKE THE STATE DO THEIR JOB.

AND THAT IS WHAT HAPPENS.

>> THANK YOU VERY MUCH.

THE NEXT QUESTION GOES TO ME.

JUDGES ARE IN SOME WAY SET APART AND USE IT IN THE HIGHEST SEAT IN THE COURTROOM.

THEY ARE ALSO RESIDENTS OF THE COMMUNITY.

HOW DO YOU VIEW THE ROLE OF A JUDGE IN TERMS OF ENGAGING WITH AND UNDERSTANDING THE NEEDS OF THE COMMUNITY THAT THEY SERVE?

THIS TIME WE ARE GOING TO START WITH MS. RIGGANS.

>> LaShawn Riggans: I BELIEVE THERE IS A ROLE AND JUDGES ARE STILL HUMAN.

WE LIVE IN THE COMMUNITY THAT WE SERVE.

I HAVE BEEN A PUBLIC SERVANT MY ENTIRE ADULT LIFE.

FROM JOINING THE MILITARY TO BEING A LIFE COACH TO BEING A PASTOR.

AND SO I BELIEVE THAT YOU CAN STILL GET INVOLVED AND PARTICIPATE IN YOUR COMMUNITY.

YOU CAN STILL WORK AND VOLUNTEER TO MAKE A COMMUNITY A BETTER PLACE.

I DON'T THINK JUST BECAUSE YOU BECOME A JUDGE YOU HAVE TO ISOLATE YOURSELF.

I THINK YOU GET INVOLVED AND YOU SHOW PEOPLE YOUR HUMAN SIDE.

I THINK THAT IS WHAT BUILDS TRUST IN THE JUDICIARY SYSTEM.

THE HUMAN ELEMENT AND SEEING JUDGES VOLUNTEER AND SEEING JUDGES TAKE ACTIVE ROLES AND SEEING THEM IN CHURCH.

SHOWING THAT YOU ARE STILL A HUMAN BEING THAT CARES ABOUT WHAT HAPPENS IN THE COMMUNITY IN WHICH YOU LIVE.

>> THAT IS A BEAUTIFUL SEGUE INTO THE NEXT QUESTION.

SOCIAL MEDIA OF COURSE HAS A PERVASIVE ROLE IN SOCIETY RIGHT NOW.

WE SOMETIMES WONDER SHOULD ALSO APPLY TO THE JUDICIARY AND PERHAPS MORE TO THE POINT, DO YOU HAVE SOCIAL MEDIA ACCOUNTS pYOURSELF?

WOULD YOU KEEP THEM AND CONTINUE TO POST IF ELECTED JUDGE?

MS. BROWN?

>> Cydnee Brown: THAT IS A GOOD QUESTION.

I DO HAVE SOCIAL MEDIA, HAVE MORE THAN I HAVE BEFORE BECAUSE I'M RUNNING FOR JUDGE.

I DON'T KNOW.

I SEE JUDGES THAT HAVE MAINTAIN SOCIAL MEDIA ACCOUNTS.

AND SUCCESSFULLY THEY ADVERTISE DIFFERENT EVENTS AND THINGS THEY ARE DOING IN THE COMMUNITY.

I SEE IT AS A PLUS.

I THINK IT IS GOING TO HAVE TO BE MORE SO AS I EXPERIENCE IT WHAT IS GOING TO FIT AND WORK BEST FOR ME.

AS OF RIGHT NOW HALF THE COMMUNITY HAS MY PHONE NUMBER ON SPEED DIAL.

HOWEVER, WHEN YOU TEACH PEOPLE HOW TO TREAT YOU AND ROLES DIVERGE, YOU CAN GOVERN THAT.

AND HELP PEOPLE AND HAVE THEM TO UNDERSTAND AS A JUVENILE PROSECUTED A PUBLIC DEFENDER, WE WOULD DO OUR JOBS IN THAT COURTROOM.

WE WOULD GO AT IT AND FIGHT FOR OUR POSITIONS.

WHAT WAS WHEN THE JUDGE ANNOUNCED WHAT IT WAS WE WENT TO LUNCH.

>> Robert Churchill: TO ANSWER YOUR QUESTION I DO HAVE A LINKEDIN ACCOUNT WHICH IS AT WORK TO PAY SOCIAL MEDIA.

I HAVE NEVER USED A LINKEDIN ACCOUNT UNTIL I ANNOUNCED THAT I WAS A CANDIDATE FOR THE SEAT.

I BELIEVE IT IS THE ONLY POST I'VE EVER HAD.

MY CAMPAIGN AS A FACEBOOK ACCOUNT AND IT IS ONE OF THE REALITIES OF RUNNING FOR ANY CAMPAIGN THESE DAYS.

I BELIEVE TO HAVE A FACEBOOK ACCOUNT.

SOCIAL MEDIA FOR JUDGES AND JUDICIAL CANDIDATES IS REGULATED AS OTHER MATTERS THAT WE TALK ABOUT.

SOCIAL MEDIA THESE DAYS HAS TURNED INTO AN ONLINE PUBLIC SQUARE OF SORTS.

I AM NOT TERRIBLY INVOLVED WITH SOCIAL MEDIA BUT THE BOTTOM LINE IS JUDGES AND JUDICIAL CANDIDATES ARE NOT ALLOWED TO PUT THEIR OPINIONS ABOUT A LOT OF THINGS IN SOCIAL MEDIA OR OTHERWISE.

THAT IS THE WAY I WOULD HANDLE MY OWN BUSINESS IF ELECTED TO BE A JUDGE.

>> THANK YOU.

WE WILL WIND UP Riggans: I DO HAVE SOCIAL MEDIA ACCOUNTS.

I DIDN'T USE IT TOO FREQUENTLY UNTIL I DECIDED TO RUN FOR JUDGE.

I THINK I WILL PROBABLY KEEP MY FAMILY ACCOUNT BEING IN THE MILITARY A LOT OF MY MILITARY FRIENDS ARE STATIONED ABROAD AND THAT IS HOW I KEEP IN CONTACT WITH THEM AND SEE THEIR CHILDREN GROW UP.

I DO NOT THINK I WOULD HAVE A PUBLIC SOCIAL MEDIA ACCOUNT.

I DO THINK THAT I WOULD KEEP AN ACCOUNT TO KEEP IN TOUCH WITH FRIENDS AND LOVED ONES THAT ARE ABROAD.

>> THANK YOU VERY MUCH.

IN THE CONCERN OF TIME WE HAVE MORE QUESTIONS THAN WE HAVE TIME TO ASK.

WE ARE GOING TO MOVE RIGHT INTO AN ABBREVIATED LIGHTNING ROUND.

ANSWER MY QUESTIONS AS QUICKLY AND SUCCINCTLY AS POSSIBLE.

I WOULD ASK EVERYBODY, WHO IS YOUR CLOSEST ADVISOR FOR THIS RACE BACK WE WILL START WITH MS. BROWN AND GO DOWN THE PANEL.

>> Cydnee Brown: STEPHEN BEASLEY.

>> WHO IS THAT?

>> HE IS A COMMUNITY ACTIVIST HERE IN TALLAHASSEE.

I THINK IT WAS BILL PROCTOR OR MAYOR DALEY THAT YOU CAN EXPECT TO WIN WITHOUT STEVE BEASLEY ON HIS SIDE.

>> Robert Churchill: STACY CHURCHILL AND THAT IS MY WIFE.

>> LaShawn Riggans: MY PASTOR AND MY CAMPAIGN MANAGER.

>> ARE THEY THE SAME PERSON?

>> LaShawn Riggans: THEY ARE NOT.

KENNY HIGHTOWER IN MY CAM - - CAMPAIGN MANAGER.

>> DO YOU BELONG TO THE FEDERALIST SOCIETY?

IF NOT TO ANY OTHER LEGAL ORGANIZATIONS?

MS. RIGGANS?

>> LaShawn Riggans: I DO NOT BELONG TO THE FEDERALIST SOCIETY BUT I AM IN DIFFERENT ASSOCIATION.

>> Robert Churchill: I AM NOT A MEMBER OF THAT ASSOCIATION.

>> Cydnee Brown: I AM INVOLVED WITH TALLAHASSEE LAWYERS THAT IS ONLY WHEN I AM A MEMBER OF AN AFRICAN OTHERS.

THAT -- >> IS THE FLORIDA ASSOCIATION LAWYERS INCLUDED?

>> Cydnee Brown: IF IT IS I DON'T KNOW.

>> DO YOU THINK STATE JUDGES SHOULD BE APPOINTED FOR LIFE OR SHOULD THEY HAVE TO STAND FOR ELECTION LIKE THEY DO NOW?

MS. BROWN?

>> Cydnee Brown: I DON'T THINK ANY POSITION IN ANY JUDICIAL POSITION SHOULD BE FOR LIFE.

>> MR. CHURCHILL?

>> Robert Churchill: I THINK THEY SHOULD BE ELECTED AS IT ARE NOW.

>> LaShawn Riggans: I THINK THEY SHOUL BE ELECTED.

>> THANK YOU VERY MUCH.

OUTSIDE OF YOUR LEGAL CAREER, WHAT WOULD YOU CALL YOUR BIGGEST CONTRIBUTION TO THE COMMUNITY?

>> LaShawn Riggans: THAT WOULD BE WORKING THROUGH MY CHURCH.

I AM ONE OF THE OUTREACH MINISTERS.

WE ARE ACTIVELY INVOLVED IN DEALING WITH ISSUES WITH HOMELESSNESS AND WOMEN ISSUES AND YOUNG GIRLS.

WE STAY ACTIVE AND VOLUNTEER.

>> Robert Churchill: MY 25 YEAR MARRIAGE TO MY CHIEF CAMPAIGN ADVISOR STACY CHURCHILL AND OUR FOUR DAUGHTERS.

>> Cydnee Brown: I HAVE A NONPROFIT CALLED FAMILY RESILIENCE FOUNDATION OUT OF WHICH I HELP MANY FAMILIES IN THE COMMUNITY.

I WAS PRIMARILY A GIVING ORGANIZATION AND THAT CHALLENGES ACTUAL NEEDS ARE MET FOR PEOPLE IN THE COMMUNITY AND PRIMARILY FOR CHILDREN.

>> THANK YOU VERY MUCH.

WE WANT TO RESERVE TIME FOR CLOSING STATEMENTS.

YOU WILL HAVE 45 SECONDS TO ANSWER.

WE WILL START ALPHABETICALLY AND WE WILL START WITH MS. BROWN WITH THE CLOSING STATEMENT.

>> Cydnee Brown: MY PHILOSOPHY AND WHO I AM AS A JUDGE GOES WAY BACK TO PLAYGROUNDS IN NEW YORK CITY.

WHERE PEOPLE WOULD TELL ME I NEED TO MY MY BUSINESS BECAUSE I WAS STAND UP FOR THE PERSON THE INNOCENT, THE MEEK AND STAND BETWEEN A PERSON AND THE BULLY.

IT STARTED WAY BACK THEN.

IT CARRIED ALL AWAY THROUGH ADULTHOOD.

IT DOESN'T HAVE ANYTHING TO DO WITH YOU WHY DON'T YOU MIND YOUR BUSINESS?

I DO NOT LIKE UNFAIRNESS AND I DO NOT LIKE PEOPLE BEING TREATED WRONG.

I LIKE JUSTICE AREA IN THE CLASSROOM I WAS SUCCESSFUL BECAUSE THEY UNDERSTOOD AND THEY COULD COUNT ON FAIRNESS AND CONSISTENCY.

I WOULD BE THE SAME WAY AS A JUDGE.

>> Robert Churchill: I THINK THE VOTERS OF LEON COUNTY ARE FORTUNATE TO HAVE THESE THREE CANDIDATES IN THIS RACE.

I AM PROUD TO BE IN THIS RACE WITH MS. BROWN AND MS. RIGGANS.

I'M PROUD OF THE WAY WE ARE HANDLING THIS RACE AND WITH DISABILITY THAT WE HAVE.

I WANT THIS JOB.

I FEEL THAT MY EXPERIENCE WORKING IN COUNTY COURT AS I DO MY EXPERIENCE IN RUNNING A SMALL BUSINESS AND REPRESENTING CONSUMER AND BUSINESS INTEREST IS SOMETHING THAT COMPLEMENTS THE EXISTING MAKEUP OF THE JUDICIARY.

I WILL BE HONORED TO HAVE THE VOTE OF THE LEON COUNTY VOTERS ON AUGUST 20.

>> MR. CHURCHILL THANK YOU.

MS. RIGGANS?

>> LaShawn Riggans: MY ENTIRE ADULT LIFE, I HAVE BEEN A SERVANT LEADER.

I HAVE ALWAYS TOOK PRIDE IN MY ABILITY TO CONNECT WITH PEOPLE.

I'VE ALWAYS TAKEN PRIDE IN MY ABILITY TO ADVOCATE FOR OTHERS WHO ARE NOT ABLE TO ADVOCATE FOR THEMSELVES.

THAT IS JUST WHO I AM TO MY CORE.

BEING A LEON COUNTY JUDGE IS THE ICING ON TOP OF WHAT I WILL CALL IT A VERY BLESSED CAREER OF BEING ABLE TO SERVE THE COMMUNITY IN WHICH I LIVE TO FOSTER TRUST, BRIDGE THE GAP OF THE DISCONNECT BETWEEN THE CITIZENS AND OUR CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM.

I AGREE WITH MR. CHURCHILL, THE RELATIONSHIP THAT WE HAVE AMONGST EACH OTHER IN CAMPAIGNING HAS BEEN ADMIRABLE.

WE LAUGHED TOGETHER, WE JOKE, IT HAS BEEN A WONDERFUL PROCESS.

I AM VERY THANKFUL FOR THAT.

I WOULD ALSO LOVE TO HAVE THE VOTES OF THE CITIZENS OF LEON COUNTY SO I CAN CONTINUE TO SERVE THE COMMUNITY IN A DIFFERENT CAPACITY.

>> THAT IS A WRAP AND THANK YOU TO ALL OF OUR CANDIDATES.

CYDNEE BROWN, ROBERT CHURCHILL, LASHAWN RIGGANS.

AND TO OUR AUDIENCES FOR JOINING THE LEAGUE OF WOMEN'S.

>> YOU CAN FIND US ON OUR YOUTUBE PAGES TALLAHASSEE.com AND WFSU.ORG.

THE RECORDED BROADCAST WILL BE TUESDAY, JULY 23 AT 11:00 AM ON WFSU 88.9 FM SO TELL YOUR FRIENDS.

>> REMEMBER YOU HAVE UNTIL JULY 22 A WEEK FROM YESTERDAY TO REGISTER OR CHANGE YOUR PARTY FOR THE PRIMARY ELECTION.

EARLY VOTING BEGINS AUGUST 10 WITH ELECTION DAY ON AUGUST 20.

FOR ANY OF THE UPCOMING FORUMS PLEASE EMAIL US AT TALLAHASSEE DEMOCRAT AT NEWS AT TALLAHASSEE.COM.

YOU CAN LOOK FOR OUR SPECIAL ELECTION SECTION OF THE TALLAHASSEE DEMOCRAT WITH INTERVIEWS WITH ALL OF THE CANDIDATES ON THE BALLOTS WHICH WILL BE PRINTED AND INSERTED IN THE SUNDAY, AUGUST 4 EDITION.

HAVE A GREAT REST OF YOUR DAY.

THANKS