Catherine W. Real
Announces Her Judicial Candidacy
Announces Her Judicial Candidacy
Why Seek To Be A Circuit Judge?
Catherine W. Real decided to run for Circuit Judge, Group 25, in the Thirteenth Judicial Circuit, because, after having served as an Assistant State Attorney here in Hillsborough County and thereafter, after having engaged in the private practice of law for the last twenty-four years, she has acquired the kind of background which would allow her to be an exceptional judge.
Canon 4 of the Florida Code of Judicial Conduct permits judges to engage in efforts to improve the law, the legal system and the administration of justice. Canon 4B, in relevant part, provides that "a judge is in a unique position to contribute to the improvement of the law, the legal system, and the administration of justice, including . . . revision of substantive and procedural law, [and] . . . improvement of criminal and juvenile justice. To the extent that time permits, a judge is encouraged to do so, either independently or through a bar association, judicial conference or other organization dedicated to the improvement of the law." (emphasis added).
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Catherine's Long Term Efforts To Improve The Law, The Legal System And The Administration Of Justice
Domestic Violence Prevention link
Citizens For Better Courts (CFBC) link
National Conference on Community & Justice link
Domestic Violence Prevention
Catherine W. Real has been extensively involved in efforts to reduce the incidence of domestic violence. Her first real exposure to the tragic effects of domestic violence was as an Assistant State Attorney here in Hillsborough County. After entering private practice, Catherine W. Real was asked to and did serve as a member of the Board of Directors of "The Spring"…Hillsborough County's domestic violence shelter. In that capacity she met with various judges in an effort to sensitize the courts to its role in reducing the incidence of this kind of destructive behavior. Ms. Real spoke for many years at The Centre for Women about Florida divorce which included discussions about domestic violence and remedies available through the courts.
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Citizens For Better Courts (CFBC)
After scandal after scandal was described in several Judicial Qualifications Commission investigations in Hillsborough County, Catherine W. Real decided to create a Committee of Continuing Existence which she named "Citizens for Better Courts." CFBC was created in June of 2002.
CFBC identified five problems with the courts here in Hillsborough County:
Response of University Faculty
Response of the Judges
The cooperation of the judiciary would have been a vital first step in ensuring public access to information about the backgrounds of our judges and judicial candidates. While CFBC recognized that some judges might oppose term limits or object to an organization that actively seeks qualified judicial candidates, including incumbents, to run for a judgeship, an open dialogue was essential for public to gain meaningful information about the courts. Cooperation of the vast majority of our judges was not forthcoming.
The Thirteenth Judicial Circuit's Website: Judicial Profiles link
Further, the Thirteenth Judicial Circuit maintains a web site. On this site is a "Judicial Directory." Each judge can include his or her "Profile" which could provide information to the public about the judge's educational background, community involvement, professional activities, and biographical information. That this is possible is evidenced by the fact that a few of our judges have posted such a profile on this site. Where our judges do post profiles, most provide limited information. A few are very informative.
Judges could also post on this site, the list of their prior employers, employees, or partners for conflict of interest avoidance. Judges could also post here a Code of Ethics for their judicial assistants and bailiffs so that attorneys and the public would know the Judge's expectations of his or her staff.
The fact that there is so little information about every individual judge on the Thirteenth Judicial Circuit's website is disappointing.
CFBC identified five problems with the courts here in Hillsborough County:
- Voters knew very little about judicial candidates for whom they vote;
- The general public knew even less about the judicial processes and how they affect their everyday lives;
- There was no forum within which the public could obtain sufficient information upon which to hold judges accountable for their performances;
- Catherine believed that there had been a noticeable decline in respect for service on the bench which may discouraged quality lawyers from seeking to serve as a judge; and
- There were few resources available to exceptional candidates to assist them in actually running a campaign for a judgeship. CFBC recommended that judicial candidates learn how to win in the contested county-wide races of the "body politic."
Town Hall Meetings: CFBC proposed that Town Hall meetings be regularly held to improve court and community collaboration.
Court-watch: CFBC sought to provide opportunities for the public to observe the performance of the judges who served on the bench. Many groups, it was thought, would welcome the opportunity to court-watch and share their observations with the community at large. It was proposed that school children could observe drug court; civic groups could observe our general civil courtrooms; and senior citizens could observe how our probate and guardianship courts operate.
Research Grants: CFBC proposed awarding research grants to local universities to study issues relevant to the judiciary.
Public Opinion Surveys: CFBC proposed that a public survey be conducted through our universities, to determine the level of public trust and confidence in the judiciary.
Term Limits: CFBC recommended a public dialogue about the advantages and disadvantages of limiting the terms of judges.
Term Limits for the Chief Judge: The organization proposed to encourage a public dialogue about the pros and cons of limiting the number of terms that a judge could serve as chief judge.
Educate the Judiciary About How It Is Perceived and Develop Criteria by Which Judges and Judicial Candidates Could Be Evaluated: CFBC proposed the development of public consensus about performance standards for our judges and criteria by which judicial candidates could be evaluated.
Develop Criteria by Which Judges and Judicial Candidates Could Be Evaluated: The organization proposed to help in the development of a public consensus about performance standards for our judges and criteria by which judicial candidates can be evaluated.
Encourage Qualified Candidates to Run for Judicial Office: The organization dedicated itself to encouraging qualified candidates, whether incumbents or newcomers, to run for a judgeship.
Provide Resources for Qualified Judicial Candidates: CFBC proposed to provide resources, monetary and otherwise, to assist qualified incumbents or other candidates in seeking judicial office.
Response to the Efforts of Citizens For Better Courts:
Court-watch: CFBC sought to provide opportunities for the public to observe the performance of the judges who served on the bench. Many groups, it was thought, would welcome the opportunity to court-watch and share their observations with the community at large. It was proposed that school children could observe drug court; civic groups could observe our general civil courtrooms; and senior citizens could observe how our probate and guardianship courts operate.
Research Grants: CFBC proposed awarding research grants to local universities to study issues relevant to the judiciary.
Public Opinion Surveys: CFBC proposed that a public survey be conducted through our universities, to determine the level of public trust and confidence in the judiciary.
Term Limits: CFBC recommended a public dialogue about the advantages and disadvantages of limiting the terms of judges.
Term Limits for the Chief Judge: The organization proposed to encourage a public dialogue about the pros and cons of limiting the number of terms that a judge could serve as chief judge.
Educate the Judiciary About How It Is Perceived and Develop Criteria by Which Judges and Judicial Candidates Could Be Evaluated: CFBC proposed the development of public consensus about performance standards for our judges and criteria by which judicial candidates could be evaluated.
Develop Criteria by Which Judges and Judicial Candidates Could Be Evaluated: The organization proposed to help in the development of a public consensus about performance standards for our judges and criteria by which judicial candidates can be evaluated.
Encourage Qualified Candidates to Run for Judicial Office: The organization dedicated itself to encouraging qualified candidates, whether incumbents or newcomers, to run for a judgeship.
Provide Resources for Qualified Judicial Candidates: CFBC proposed to provide resources, monetary and otherwise, to assist qualified incumbents or other candidates in seeking judicial office.
The Outstanding Response of Law Students and University Volunteers
The organization created a website for CFBC. Catherine W. Real appeared on television and radio about CFBC's efforts and goals. The organization was able to secure enthusiastic student volunteers to send into our courtrooms to court- watch. The then Chief Judge was advised that CFBC Court Watchers would be coming in to the courtrooms to observe. The initial goal was to ensure that our volunteers and the public would have access to public courtrooms and once in, to observe the demeanor of the judges toward the public and attorneys. Some CFBC Court Watchers were denied access to public courtrooms by the bailiffs. CFBC communicated with the then Sheriff of Hillsborough County about the role of bailiffs, who are employees of the Sheriff, in denying access to these public courtrooms. Unfortunately, some bailiffs continued to deny CFBC's Court Watchers access to public courtrooms.
Meaningful links:
[CFBC created a website, "http://BetterCourts.org." This site described CFBC's goals, described the judicial system in the State of Florida, set out Florida's Code of Judicial Conduct, discussed a proposed Code of Conduct For Judicial Employees, addressed the issue of gifts to judges; spoke about the process used by The Judicial Qualifications Commission in handling complaints made about judges and provided as much background information as CFBC could secure about the judges serving in the Thirteenth Judicial Circuit. It permitted members of the public to contribute to a "Blog" detailing their experiences with a judge or the courts in general.]
NOTE: This website has been taken down temporarily because its founder, Catherine W. Real, is presently running as a candidate for Circuit Judge in the Thirteenth Judicial Circuit.
The organization created a website for CFBC. Catherine W. Real appeared on television and radio about CFBC's efforts and goals. The organization was able to secure enthusiastic student volunteers to send into our courtrooms to court- watch. The then Chief Judge was advised that CFBC Court Watchers would be coming in to the courtrooms to observe. The initial goal was to ensure that our volunteers and the public would have access to public courtrooms and once in, to observe the demeanor of the judges toward the public and attorneys. Some CFBC Court Watchers were denied access to public courtrooms by the bailiffs. CFBC communicated with the then Sheriff of Hillsborough County about the role of bailiffs, who are employees of the Sheriff, in denying access to these public courtrooms. Unfortunately, some bailiffs continued to deny CFBC's Court Watchers access to public courtrooms.
Meaningful links:
- CFBC's Volunteer Application Form [CFBC designed and widely distributed a Volunteer Application Form to interest the public in participating in providing more government in the sunshine in the halls of justice. Volunteers were asked to participate as Court Watchers and/or as Researchers for the organization.]
- Judicial Biography Form [In order to inform the public about our judges who serve the public in the Thirteenth Judicial Circuit, CFBC devised a form to be completed by each judge. This form sought information about each judge as to his or her educational background, the date the judge was admitted to the practice of law, where the judge had practiced in either or both the private or public sector, whether the judge had sought to be appointed as a judge by the Governor, the judge's election history, the number of terms the judge had served, political party affiliation and other information a judge may want to provide. A photograph of the judge was also requested.]
- Letter of transmittal of the Judicial Biography Form [In this letter, each individual judge then serving on the Thirteenth Judicial Circuit was advised of the creation of Citizens For Better Courts and asked to complete the judicial biographical form]
- CFBC's Court Observation Form [This form sets out some of the criteria to be used by CFBC's Court Watchers in observing our judges and other court personnel]
- CFBC's Website… "BetterCourts.org"
[CFBC created a website, "http://BetterCourts.org." This site described CFBC's goals, described the judicial system in the State of Florida, set out Florida's Code of Judicial Conduct, discussed a proposed Code of Conduct For Judicial Employees, addressed the issue of gifts to judges; spoke about the process used by The Judicial Qualifications Commission in handling complaints made about judges and provided as much background information as CFBC could secure about the judges serving in the Thirteenth Judicial Circuit. It permitted members of the public to contribute to a "Blog" detailing their experiences with a judge or the courts in general.]
NOTE: This website has been taken down temporarily because its founder, Catherine W. Real, is presently running as a candidate for Circuit Judge in the Thirteenth Judicial Circuit.
Response of University Faculty
Opportunities to Speak to Students
CFBC solicited the help of faculty at both the University of South Florida (USF) and the University of Tampa (UT). Faculties of both universities were enthusiastic and helpful. Catherine W. Real was invited to and did speak to students at UT about the goals of CFBC and the importance of our courts in the democratic process.
University Research
With the assistance of CFBC in data acquisition, a faculty member from the University of South Florida completed a study about "The Influence of Campaign Contributions on Trial Judges' Decisions".
This is an outstanding example of the benefits of entering into a partnership with the academic community. Academia can publish articles meaningful to increasing the public's understanding of our court system. Academia benefits! The people benefit!
To see a copy of this study, click here.
CFBC solicited the help of faculty at both the University of South Florida (USF) and the University of Tampa (UT). Faculties of both universities were enthusiastic and helpful. Catherine W. Real was invited to and did speak to students at UT about the goals of CFBC and the importance of our courts in the democratic process.
University Research
With the assistance of CFBC in data acquisition, a faculty member from the University of South Florida completed a study about "The Influence of Campaign Contributions on Trial Judges' Decisions".
This is an outstanding example of the benefits of entering into a partnership with the academic community. Academia can publish articles meaningful to increasing the public's understanding of our court system. Academia benefits! The people benefit!
To see a copy of this study, click here.
Response of the Judges
A Few Judges Were Cooperative
A few judges were extremely helpful. They completed the biographical survey CFBC sent to them. They did not interfere with CFBC's Court Watchers entry into their courtrooms. They were cordial and professional.
Most Judges Merely Ignored CFBC
Most judges did not respond to CFBC's request for their completion of a biographical survey. While they were sent a request for this information by letter twice, most ignored the request. When Court Watchers tried to schedule an appointment with some of these judges to directly obtain this biographical information, most judges contacted would not set the appointments. CFBC was, by and large, ignored by the vast majority of the incumbent judges.
To see a copy of the survey sent to each judge of the Thirteenth Judicial Circuit, click here.
In an effort to obtain information about our judges who would not complete CFBC's biographical survey, where it existed, CFBC secured and then posted on its website, a copy of a judge's or judicial applicant's application for appointment submitted to the Judicial Nominating Commission. No document, in Catherine W. Real's opinion, provided more meaningful information about a judicial candidate than this application.
Cease and Desist Response From The Administrative Offices Of The Courts, Thirteenth Judicial Circuit
CFBC's Goal Was To Garner Cooperation
A few judges were extremely helpful. They completed the biographical survey CFBC sent to them. They did not interfere with CFBC's Court Watchers entry into their courtrooms. They were cordial and professional.
Most Judges Merely Ignored CFBC
Most judges did not respond to CFBC's request for their completion of a biographical survey. While they were sent a request for this information by letter twice, most ignored the request. When Court Watchers tried to schedule an appointment with some of these judges to directly obtain this biographical information, most judges contacted would not set the appointments. CFBC was, by and large, ignored by the vast majority of the incumbent judges.
To see a copy of the survey sent to each judge of the Thirteenth Judicial Circuit, click here.
In an effort to obtain information about our judges who would not complete CFBC's biographical survey, where it existed, CFBC secured and then posted on its website, a copy of a judge's or judicial applicant's application for appointment submitted to the Judicial Nominating Commission. No document, in Catherine W. Real's opinion, provided more meaningful information about a judicial candidate than this application.
Cease and Desist Response From The Administrative Offices Of The Courts, Thirteenth Judicial Circuit
- Cease and Desist Letter To CFBC From The Administrative Offices Of The Courts, Thirteenth Judicial Circuit [In this letter, Court Counsel requested that CFBC cease and desist from giving indications on its web site that the Chief Judge either endorsed or disavowed the concept of CFBC and its goals. An objection was also made to the use of likeness of the then Chief Judge of the Thirteenth Judicial Circuit on CFBC's web site.]
- CFBC's Letter Responding To The Cease And Desist Letter [After consultation with counsel, CFBC responded in writing denying that the content of its web site gave any indications that the chief judge endorsed CFBC and refusing to remove the judge's picture from same. As an accommodation, however, CFBC elected to add the pictures of all of the judges in the Thirteenth Judicial Circuit, most of which could be found on the Thirteenth Judicial Circuit's own website]
The cooperation of the judiciary would have been a vital first step in ensuring public access to information about the backgrounds of our judges and judicial candidates. While CFBC recognized that some judges might oppose term limits or object to an organization that actively seeks qualified judicial candidates, including incumbents, to run for a judgeship, an open dialogue was essential for public to gain meaningful information about the courts. Cooperation of the vast majority of our judges was not forthcoming.
The Thirteenth Judicial Circuit's Website: Judicial Profiles link
Further, the Thirteenth Judicial Circuit maintains a web site. On this site is a "Judicial Directory." Each judge can include his or her "Profile" which could provide information to the public about the judge's educational background, community involvement, professional activities, and biographical information. That this is possible is evidenced by the fact that a few of our judges have posted such a profile on this site. Where our judges do post profiles, most provide limited information. A few are very informative.
Judges could also post on this site, the list of their prior employers, employees, or partners for conflict of interest avoidance. Judges could also post here a Code of Ethics for their judicial assistants and bailiffs so that attorneys and the public would know the Judge's expectations of his or her staff.
The fact that there is so little information about every individual judge on the Thirteenth Judicial Circuit's website is disappointing.
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National Conference for Community and Justice
Catherine W. Real is a former Member of the Board of Directors of this human relations organization dedicated to fighting bias, bigotry, and racism in America. NCCJ strives to promote understanding and respect among all races, religions and cultures through advocacy, conflict resolution and education.
Catherine W. Real has never been a member of a discriminatory organization
Catherine W. Real is proud of the fact that she is not now and has never been a member of any club or organization that, in practice or policy restricts [or restricted during the time of her membership] its membership on the basis of race, religion, national origin or sex.
Catherine W. Real has never been a member of a discriminatory organization
Catherine W. Real is proud of the fact that she is not now and has never been a member of any club or organization that, in practice or policy restricts [or restricted during the time of her membership] its membership on the basis of race, religion, national origin or sex.
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