September 30, 2024 • 11 mins
Middleton is in a runoff from August's primary in the race for the open judicial seat on the Palm Beach County Court.
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Transcript
Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
Speaker 1 (00:00):
Hey, Joel, Malcolm Ford WJ and O dot com. My
(00:02):
election spotlight on the runoff for Palm Beach County Court
Judge Group two. There were three candidates back in August
and two top vote getters. Nobody got the fifty percent
plus one. So the two top vote getters Lords Casanova
and Jean Murray Middleton. And we have Jean Murray Middleton
joining us. Now, thank you for coming on with me.
Speaker 2 (00:23):
Thank you for having me, Joel. I appreciate capportinity.
Speaker 1 (00:26):
This is one of those races that people people have
a harder time trying to figure out who to vote
for right because they're nonpartisan. Can't cover a whole lot
of stuff in these interviews, and so you know, we're
gonna do what we can. So now, we did have
an interview with you previous to this, I believe it
was back in July, and you did cover some of
(00:48):
your background and all that. Folks can still seek that out,
but i'd like you to, you know, save them a
little bit of trouble, just give it. Give us like
a brief bio on you here, Joel. Thank you.
Speaker 2 (01:01):
I am Jean Marie Middleton, and by background, I am
married to Ellis Middleton, who is an Army veteran. We've
been married for almost twenty years. We have one daughter
and four grandchildren. I was raised by career navyman. My
dad was in the Navy for over twenty five years,
and my mother worked for the Veterans Administration for approximately
(01:25):
thirty years at the federal government level, so military service
and service to our country and community is in my blood.
I've been committed to serving the Palmy County citizens, both
professionally and personally for the last twenty four years, most
importantly as a Youth Court judge, serving in a quasi
(01:46):
judicial capacity handling criminal miscomeanor matter is committed by first
time juvenile offenders. I'm also past president of the f
Malcolm Cunningham Bar Association, and I am currently the President
elect of the entire Palm Beach County Bar Association. And
for the past twenty two years, I've been serving, among
other community event organizations, as registration coordinator for His Daily
(02:11):
Bread Food Bank, where we serve Palm Beach County citizens
every second and fourth Saturday with food a giveaway because
food and security, believe it or not, is still a
big issue in our county. And I go.
Speaker 1 (02:32):
Ahead, No, I I was just I was going to
you know, I was going to ask you about the
youth court judge. That was a volunteer position, So that
wasn't a that wasn't a paid position, that is correct.
Speaker 2 (02:46):
I have been volunteering actually since nineteen ninety eight when
I was an assistant city attorney in Miami Dade, and
then when I transitioned here to Palm Beach County, I
continued my involvement with the Palm Beach Youth Court.
Speaker 1 (03:00):
When you say it's quasi judicial, so what it could
kind of walk us through if you can, if it's
you know, those of us not in law. You know,
these kinds of things are getting little confusing, so we
kind of want to know what it is you did
on a daily basis when you would volunteer, or however
often you did it.
Speaker 2 (03:17):
Sure, it's before the pandemic. It was at all four
courthouses in the county a different day during the week.
So I volunteered at the North County the Gun Club,
and on Tuesdays and Thursday evenings of every week. Since
(03:38):
the pandemic, we are holding youth Court at the Palmiche
Lakes High School law magnet courtroom and why it's quasi
judicials because it is a voluntary program. It's where youth
are actually arrested and charged with misdemeanor crimes. They have
an opportunity to go to the first time Youthful Offender
(04:04):
program and get sanctioned by a jury of their peers.
They're actually represented by youth who serve as state attorneys
and youth who serve as public defenders, and if they
complete the sanctions that the jury of their peers assesses,
then they do not have a criminal record. It gives
(04:26):
them a chance for a fresh start, and it's been
probably about ninety five percent successful.
Speaker 1 (04:35):
Yeah, I mean, you know, you were a kid. I've
been a kid. Kids can do somebody should I say
dumb things, and I guess you'd probably agree with me.
That doesn't necessarily mean that they're evil or they're bad,
but they do the things. Yeah, they're misled sometimes maybe
they're with the wrong people and they do There's all
kinds of stuff. So as as a county court judge,
(04:59):
how much of that would you take into account when
when you do have a youth suspect or defendant. I
guess would would be the way in your in your courtroom,
and not just for misdemeanors, but you know some some
do commit some uh criminal you know, uh offent.
Speaker 2 (05:20):
Well, in county court, you've got county civil and county criminals.
But juvenile court is in the circuit court. So I
will be handling any juveniles.
Speaker 1 (05:32):
Okay, all right, Hey, like I said, I just I
just said a few minutes ago. Some of us not
in the legal realm, don't know a time stuff there,
I go go ahead. I'm sorry.
Speaker 2 (05:42):
So that some of the cases would be adults in
the in the Okay County court. Uh so. But but
having said that, with the twenty four years of experience
and understanding why people do what they do, I think
that will absolutely serve me well in dealing even with adults.
(06:03):
Sometimes adults don't always make good decisions. Doesn't mean that
they're evil or bad. But I could apply some of
the experience that I've had with youth court to adults.
Speaker 1 (06:17):
And you know you eighteen as an adult, I assume
eighteen is where they don't go to juvenile anymore. Right
then they would go that it is correct. And I
think of me in my fifties, I think of an
eighteen year old as a kid still so maybe not officially,
but you know they still haven't fully developed in their.
Speaker 2 (06:35):
Brain, right, absolutely, that is correct.
Speaker 1 (06:39):
What would you say is the biggest thing that sets
you apart from your opponent in this race?
Speaker 2 (06:48):
For voters, the biggest thing is my thirty eight years
of complex trial experience, life experience, having traveled the world,
having dealt with people at all levels and walks of life.
I believe my opponent has maybe twelve years of legal experience.
(07:11):
And I have pride cases not only in county court,
but in federal court, state court all the way up
to the Florida Supreme Court, and I'm certified for the
US Supreme Court as well. I have tried court cases
in all areas of the law pretty much with the
(07:33):
exception of imminent domain. In my broad and vast experience
where I've served two fortune five hundred corporations, as in
house council, three municipalities, two large urban school districts. I
served as an attorney for the Legal Aid Society as
well as in private practice. So having that depth and
(07:54):
breadth of experience that is extensive, I think really sets
me up. I've had my I believe that my civil
experience in drafting complex memorandums and legal argument also makes
me stand out because I've had the Florida Supreme Court,
(08:17):
I've had the Fourth District Court of Appeals and the
Third District Court of Appeals uphold complex summary judgment and
motions to dismiss that experience that I do not believe
my opponent has, and the ability to utilize my thirty
eight years of legal knowledge and experience and life experiences
(08:39):
to provide a service to the Home Beach community where
I have a tangible impact the love of my neighborhoods
and can contribute to the community and communities well being.
Speaker 1 (08:51):
That's hard. So I like you, We're doing something different
this time around, you know, offering an opportunity to uh,
you know, share your endorsements.
Speaker 2 (09:05):
Uh. Sure. I have been endorsed by the Palm Beach Post.
I've been endorsed by the med Tat Society of Palm Beach,
several u elected officials from most of the municipalities in
Palm Beach County, and many individual attorneys and community actually
(09:30):
the personnel.
Speaker 1 (09:31):
What is MEDPACK.
Speaker 2 (09:33):
It's a society of medical providers across the spectrum in
Palm Beach County. Okay, it's an association of doctors basically,
all right?
Speaker 1 (09:45):
And then my final question is, you know, and you
kind of covered some of this, but you know, ultimately,
why should folks vote in a nutshell here for Middleton
for judge?
Speaker 2 (09:57):
I believe that a vote for Jean Marie Middleton will
help shape the quality and nature of justice in our
community in a manner that is fair, impartial, equitable to
all who appear before me. I have a strong track
record of being impartial, as having served as a Youth
Court judge, and as well as I have served as
(10:18):
a Florida Supreme Court certified Circuit Civil mediator since two
thousand and nine. I have a demonstration of being integris
having served as chair of the entire Florida Bar Professionalism
Committee and having served as vice chair of the fifteen
Judicial Circuits Grievance Committee. And both of these help ensure
(10:40):
that the legal process is fair to everyone and it
is ethically applied.
Speaker 1 (10:47):
All right, Well, we appreciate you taking the time to
speak with us, and of course, more importantly, the voters
of Palm Beach County. This is the one and only
court or judicial race. I should say on the ballot
in Palm Beach County as far as the local courts
are concerned, and it is a runoff and Jean Marie
Middleton wants your vote. We appreciate you reaching out and
Speaker 2 (11:10):
Thank you so much, so I really appreciate this opportunity
Hey, Joel, Malcolm Ford WJ and O dot com. My
(00:02):
election spotlight on the runoff for Palm Beach County Court
Judge Group two. There were three candidates back in August
and two top vote getters. Nobody got the fifty percent
plus one. So the two top vote getters Lords Casanova
and Jean Murray Middleton. And we have Jean Murray Middleton
joining us. Now, thank you for coming on with me.
Speaker 2 (00:23):
Thank you for having me, Joel. I appreciate capportinity.
Speaker 1 (00:26):
This is one of those races that people people have
a harder time trying to figure out who to vote
for right because they're nonpartisan. Can't cover a whole lot
of stuff in these interviews, and so you know, we're
gonna do what we can. So now, we did have
an interview with you previous to this, I believe it
was back in July, and you did cover some of
(00:48):
your background and all that. Folks can still seek that out,
but i'd like you to, you know, save them a
little bit of trouble, just give it. Give us like
a brief bio on you here, Joel. Thank you.
Speaker 2 (01:01):
I am Jean Marie Middleton, and by background, I am
married to Ellis Middleton, who is an Army veteran. We've
been married for almost twenty years. We have one daughter
and four grandchildren. I was raised by career navyman. My
dad was in the Navy for over twenty five years,
and my mother worked for the Veterans Administration for approximately
(01:25):
thirty years at the federal government level, so military service
and service to our country and community is in my blood.
I've been committed to serving the Palmy County citizens, both
professionally and personally for the last twenty four years, most
importantly as a Youth Court judge, serving in a quasi
(01:46):
judicial capacity handling criminal miscomeanor matter is committed by first
time juvenile offenders. I'm also past president of the f
Malcolm Cunningham Bar Association, and I am currently the President
elect of the entire Palm Beach County Bar Association. And
for the past twenty two years, I've been serving, among
other community event organizations, as registration coordinator for His Daily
(02:11):
Bread Food Bank, where we serve Palm Beach County citizens
every second and fourth Saturday with food a giveaway because
food and security, believe it or not, is still a
big issue in our county. And I go.
Speaker 1 (02:32):
Ahead, No, I I was just I was going to
you know, I was going to ask you about the
youth court judge. That was a volunteer position, So that
wasn't a that wasn't a paid position, that is correct.
Speaker 2 (02:46):
I have been volunteering actually since nineteen ninety eight when
I was an assistant city attorney in Miami Dade, and
then when I transitioned here to Palm Beach County, I
continued my involvement with the Palm Beach Youth Court.
Speaker 1 (03:00):
When you say it's quasi judicial, so what it could
kind of walk us through if you can, if it's
you know, those of us not in law. You know,
these kinds of things are getting little confusing, so we
kind of want to know what it is you did
on a daily basis when you would volunteer, or however
often you did it.
Speaker 2 (03:17):
Sure, it's before the pandemic. It was at all four
courthouses in the county a different day during the week.
So I volunteered at the North County the Gun Club,
and on Tuesdays and Thursday evenings of every week. Since
(03:38):
the pandemic, we are holding youth Court at the Palmiche
Lakes High School law magnet courtroom and why it's quasi
judicials because it is a voluntary program. It's where youth
are actually arrested and charged with misdemeanor crimes. They have
an opportunity to go to the first time Youthful Offender
(04:04):
program and get sanctioned by a jury of their peers.
They're actually represented by youth who serve as state attorneys
and youth who serve as public defenders, and if they
complete the sanctions that the jury of their peers assesses,
then they do not have a criminal record. It gives
(04:26):
them a chance for a fresh start, and it's been
probably about ninety five percent successful.
Speaker 1 (04:35):
Yeah, I mean, you know, you were a kid. I've
been a kid. Kids can do somebody should I say
dumb things, and I guess you'd probably agree with me.
That doesn't necessarily mean that they're evil or they're bad,
but they do the things. Yeah, they're misled sometimes maybe
they're with the wrong people and they do There's all
kinds of stuff. So as as a county court judge,
(04:59):
how much of that would you take into account when
when you do have a youth suspect or defendant. I
guess would would be the way in your in your courtroom,
and not just for misdemeanors, but you know some some
do commit some uh criminal you know, uh offent.
Speaker 2 (05:20):
Well, in county court, you've got county civil and county criminals.
But juvenile court is in the circuit court. So I
will be handling any juveniles.
Speaker 1 (05:32):
Okay, all right, Hey, like I said, I just I
just said a few minutes ago. Some of us not
in the legal realm, don't know a time stuff there,
I go go ahead. I'm sorry.
Speaker 2 (05:42):
So that some of the cases would be adults in
the in the Okay County court. Uh so. But but
having said that, with the twenty four years of experience
and understanding why people do what they do, I think
that will absolutely serve me well in dealing even with adults.
(06:03):
Sometimes adults don't always make good decisions. Doesn't mean that
they're evil or bad. But I could apply some of
the experience that I've had with youth court to adults.
Speaker 1 (06:17):
And you know you eighteen as an adult, I assume
eighteen is where they don't go to juvenile anymore. Right
then they would go that it is correct. And I
think of me in my fifties, I think of an
eighteen year old as a kid still so maybe not officially,
but you know they still haven't fully developed in their.
Speaker 2 (06:35):
Brain, right, absolutely, that is correct.
Speaker 1 (06:39):
What would you say is the biggest thing that sets
you apart from your opponent in this race?
Speaker 2 (06:48):
For voters, the biggest thing is my thirty eight years
of complex trial experience, life experience, having traveled the world,
having dealt with people at all levels and walks of life.
I believe my opponent has maybe twelve years of legal experience.
(07:11):
And I have pride cases not only in county court,
but in federal court, state court all the way up
to the Florida Supreme Court, and I'm certified for the
US Supreme Court as well. I have tried court cases
in all areas of the law pretty much with the
(07:33):
exception of imminent domain. In my broad and vast experience
where I've served two fortune five hundred corporations, as in
house council, three municipalities, two large urban school districts. I
served as an attorney for the Legal Aid Society as
well as in private practice. So having that depth and
(07:54):
breadth of experience that is extensive, I think really sets
me up. I've had my I believe that my civil
experience in drafting complex memorandums and legal argument also makes
me stand out because I've had the Florida Supreme Court,
(08:17):
I've had the Fourth District Court of Appeals and the
Third District Court of Appeals uphold complex summary judgment and
motions to dismiss that experience that I do not believe
my opponent has, and the ability to utilize my thirty
eight years of legal knowledge and experience and life experiences
(08:39):
to provide a service to the Home Beach community where
I have a tangible impact the love of my neighborhoods
and can contribute to the community and communities well being.
Speaker 1 (08:51):
That's hard. So I like you, We're doing something different
this time around, you know, offering an opportunity to uh,
you know, share your endorsements.
Speaker 2 (09:05):
Uh. Sure. I have been endorsed by the Palm Beach Post.
I've been endorsed by the med Tat Society of Palm Beach,
several u elected officials from most of the municipalities in
Palm Beach County, and many individual attorneys and community actually
(09:30):
the personnel.
Speaker 1 (09:31):
What is MEDPACK.
Speaker 2 (09:33):
It's a society of medical providers across the spectrum in
Palm Beach County. Okay, it's an association of doctors basically,
all right?
Speaker 1 (09:45):
And then my final question is, you know, and you
kind of covered some of this, but you know, ultimately,
why should folks vote in a nutshell here for Middleton
for judge?
Speaker 2 (09:57):
I believe that a vote for Jean Marie Middleton will
help shape the quality and nature of justice in our
community in a manner that is fair, impartial, equitable to
all who appear before me. I have a strong track
record of being impartial, as having served as a Youth
Court judge, and as well as I have served as
(10:18):
a Florida Supreme Court certified Circuit Civil mediator since two
thousand and nine. I have a demonstration of being integris
having served as chair of the entire Florida Bar Professionalism
Committee and having served as vice chair of the fifteen
Judicial Circuits Grievance Committee. And both of these help ensure
(10:40):
that the legal process is fair to everyone and it
is ethically applied.
Speaker 1 (10:47):
All right, Well, we appreciate you taking the time to
speak with us, and of course, more importantly, the voters
of Palm Beach County. This is the one and only
court or judicial race. I should say on the ballot
in Palm Beach County as far as the local courts
are concerned, and it is a runoff and Jean Marie
Middleton wants your vote. We appreciate you reaching out and
Speaker 2 (11:10):
Thank you so much, so I really appreciate this opportunity
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