The three candidates running for a seat in Collier County’s courthouse are coasting through this election season as they run unopposed.
Judicial candidates are nonpartisan and have several limitations when running for office. They cannot represent themselves as a member of any political party, campaign for a political party, endorse any candidates or contribute to any person or group for its endorsement, according to Florida statute.
And conversely, it is against Florida law for any political party to endorse or support a judicial office candidate.
This matter has been a point of contention and debate throughout history, as voters would need to know about the candidates for which they are voting, but judges are supposed to be impartial and avoid political positioning.
However, what judicial candidates can do to give voters a better understanding of who they are is promote their legal experience and community involvement.
The Florida Bar offers candidates an opportunity to prepare a voluntary statement that provides information about themselves and their backgrounds, which voters can use to learn about the candidates.
Candidates can also establish their own campaign pages with such information, so long as they adhere to the limitations placed upon them by Florida statute.
Running for the Group 3 seat as county court judge is incumbent Deborah Cunningham.
And incumbent judge Rob Crown is running for the Group 4 seat.
And finally Janeice Martin, who will run unopposed for county judge Group 5.
Here’s a little bit about the candidates:
Deborah Cunningham, candidate for Collier County court judge Group 3
Cunningham was appointed to the bench as a Collier County judge by DeSantis in July 2024 and brings more than two decades of legal experience.
Currently, Cunningham oversees all veterans court and mental health court cases, and about 1/3 of Collier County’s misdemeanors, ordinances, criminal traffic and civil traffic infractions.
Before her role as a judge, Cunningham served as an assistant state attorney within the 20th Judicial Circuit for nearly 25 years.
Cunningham has handled several types of criminal cases involving homicide, sexual violence, human trafficking, domestic violence and crimes against children.
In 2020, Cunningham was promoted to the role of circuit court chief for Collier County, in which she would manage the felony division of the court, as well as educate and mentor other assistant state attorneys on professionalism, ethics and trial skills all while prosecuting high-profile criminal cases.
Cunningham received her law degree from the University of Florida Levin College of Law.
Her community involvement includes participating in presentations that teach youth about the court system and acting a board member for multiple advocacy groups including the Florida Network of Children’s Advocacy Centers and the Collier County Shelter for Abused Woman and Children.
In 2023, Cunningham was named Woman Lawyer of the Year by the Collier County Women’s Bar Association.
Robert Crown, candidate for Collier County court judge Group 4
Similar to Cunningham, Judge Rob Crown also brings two decades of experience to his bench in Collier County.
Crown has been serving as a district judge since 2006, appointed by previous Gov. Jeb Bush.
Before he became a judge, Crown was a prosecutor with the state attorney’s office.
And prior to his role as a public servant, Crown was an attorney in private practice, according to Ballotpedia.
He currently oversees about 1/3 of Collier County’s misdemeanors, ordinances, criminal traffic and civil traffic infractions.
Janeice Martin, candidate for Collier County court judge Group 5
Sworn into bench by her father Judge Lawrence D. Martin, Janeice Martin has served as a Collier County judge since 2009.
She currently handles most of the county’s civil suits, as well as assisting in running the adult drug court.
Before becoming a judge, Martin served as a prosecutor and a private defense attorney overseeing criminal case, in particular.
After serving as a prosecutor, Martin took a position in criminal defense law with a law firm in which she became a name partner, Berry, Day, McFee & Martin. At the firm, she handled cases of all severity levels, from speeding tickets to death penalty murder.
Martin has been recognized for her community involvement, having become the inaugural recipient of what is now known as the Janeice T. Martin Equal Justice Award, given by Legal Aid Service of Collier County.
She has also been named Woman Laywer of the Year by the Collier County Association of Woman Lawyers.
Martin has won the 2006 Florida Bar President’s Pro Bono Service Award and was also named the Mental Health Advocate of the Year by NAMI of Collier County and the David Lawrence Center.
She received her law degree from the University of Florida.
Tayeba Hussein is a breaking news reporter for The News-Press & Naples Daily News. Reach her at thussein@usatodayco.com.
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This article originally appeared on Naples Daily News: Three candidates, three winners for judge in Collier County
Reporting by Tayeba Hussein, Fort Myers News-Press & Naples Daily News / Naples Daily News
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
By Tayeba Hussein, Fort Myers News-Press & Naples Daily News | USA TODAY Network
