Alison Kerestes

Alison Kerestes is a judge of the Florida 9th Circuit Court. She assumed office on January 3, 2023. Her current term ends on January 2, 2029.

Kerestes won election for judge of the Florida 9th Circuit Court outright in the primary on August 23, 2022, after the general election was canceled.

Kerestes completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey in 2022. Click here to read the survey answers.

Biography

Alison Kerestes was born in Denver, Colorado. She earned a bachelor's degree from the University of South Florida in 2000 and a law degree from Florida State University in 2006. Her career experience includes working as an attorney and managing partner at Kerestes Law Firm and working in customer service management.

Kerestes has been affiliated with the following organizations:^[1]

Central Florida Association of Criminal Defense Attorneys
Florida Association of Criminal Defense Attorneys
Orange County Bar Association
Osceola County Bar Association
OCBA Criminal Law Committee
League of Women Voters
Tiger Bay Club of Central Florida
Central Florida Association for Women Lawyers
American Constitution Society
Kissimmee Chamber of Commerce
Rotary Club of Orlando

Elections

2022

Nonpartisan primary election

Nonpartisan primary for Florida 9th Circuit Court

Alison Kerestes won election outright against Fay Olga Pappas in the primary for Florida 9th Circuit Court on August 23, 2022.

		Candidate	%	Votes
✔		Alison Kerestes (Nonpartisan)	55.9	117,410
	Submit photo	Fay Olga Pappas (Nonpartisan)	44.1	92,728

	There were no incumbents in this race. The results have been certified. Source	Total votes: 210,138
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Endorsements

To view Kerestes' endorsements in the 2022 election, please click here.

Campaign themes

2022

Video for Ballotpedia

Video submitted to Ballotpedia Released July 21, 2022

Ballotpedia survey responses

Alison Kerestes completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey in 2022. The survey questions appear in bold and are followed by Kerestes' responses. Candidates are asked three required questions for this survey, but they may answer additional optional questions as well.

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Who are you? Tell us about yourself.

I have been an attorney in the Central Florida area for the past sixteen years. Before attending law school, I spent six years working in retail customer service, to pay my way through undergrad at the University of South Florida, I eventually earned a management position before heading to law school at Florida State University.

I spent the first half of my legal career in public service at the State Attorney’s Office as prosecutor. I handled everything from battery domestic violence to sex crimes, including the civil commitment of sexually violent predators after their prison sentence.

After eight years, I left the State for private practice, and opened my own firm, Kerestes Law Firm, together with my husband Steve. As a business owner, I have handled civil litigation, foreclosure, landlord/tenant, a little bit of family, and a lot of criminal defense.

I decided to run for judge because, after 16 years in the courtroom, I’ve spent plenty of time reflecting on the qualities that made an excellent judge. I realized I had all the qualities I hope to see on the bench when I walk into a courtroom. In addition to the knowledge which comes from practicing in a diverse range of legal fields, representing both sides of an issue, I also believe that my life experiences, as a customer service manager, as a law firm owner, and as a mother juggling the demands of my career with the needs of my family, have prepared me to be the kind of judge that we need on the bench.

Please list below 3 key messages of your campaign. What are the main points you want voters to remember about your goals for your time in office?

I have a balanced perspective that is necessary for a judge to truly be impartial.
I am an experienced trial attorney and business owner, which make me the best candidate in the race.
Wisdom comes with experience, and I have the necessary experience to be an excellent judge.

What areas of public policy are you personally passionate about?

Judicial races are quite different from other political positions. The judicial races are nonpartisan, and the candidates are prohibited from revealing their party affiliations, if they have one. Judicial candidates are also strongly encouraged to refrain from voicing their opinions on controversial issues, to avoid future conflicts when on the bench. As a former prosecutor and current defense attorney, I am passionate about the criminal justice system. I wish to be a part of a system that works properly and fairly. I hope to encourage smart and open-minded solutions to resolve cases. I think that programs such as Drug Court, Mental Health Court, and Veteran's Court are extremely helpful in providing services and assistance to those who can benefit and are charged with lower level crimes. However, the safety of the community must always be considered, and where a violent crime has been committed, I will follow the law, consider the facts, and take into account the position of the Victim, the State, and the Defense. I believe that each case deserves individual attention and consideration, and I will strive to provide that on a daily basis.

Who do you look up to? Whose example would you like to follow, and why?

I look up to my husband. He is a wonderful father and husband with a great moral compass. I am a better person because I know him.

Professionally speaking, I hope to follow the example of many of the judges that I've appeared in front of over the last 16 years. I look up to judges that are respectful to all parties, able to manage a docket efficiently, and show wisdom on the bench. I hope to follow in their footsteps.

What characteristics or principles are most important for an elected official?

Honesty, integrity, and a true desire to serve.

What qualities do you possess that you believe would make you a successful officeholder?

I am patient and respectful, and know how to act with humility. I have a true desire to do the right thing, and apply the law in a way that is fair to all parties.

What do you believe are the core responsibilities for someone elected to this office?

Independence, the ability to make hard decisions, and perserverence.

What legacy would you like to leave?

I would like my child to be proud of me.

What is the first historical event that happened in your lifetime that you remember? How old were you at the time?

I remember when the Space Shuttle Challenger blew up. I was eight years old. I found out in the lunch room at school.

What was your very first job? How long did you have it?

My first job was as a lifeguard at the community pool. I was a swimmer, and worked as a lifeguard and taught swim lessons in between practices. I held this job for a couple of summers while I was a teenager.

What is your favorite book? Why?

I recently read "The Book of Lost Friends" by Lisa Wingate and it was excellent.

If you could be any fictional character, who would you want to be?

Katniss Everdeen

What was the last song that got stuck in your head?

“I Will Survive” by Gloria Gaynor

What is something that has been a struggle in your life?

My parents had a difficult marriage, which lead to a tumultuous childhood. As an adult, I was the victim of domestic violence. I know exactly how it feels to testify about one of the worst days of your life in court, because I have done it. While that happened many years ago, I still think about it when I ask someone to testify in court, and work to make sure they are prepared and comfortable.

Are there any little-known powers or responsibilities held by this office that you believe more people should be aware of?

Judges have so many responsibilities. They must follow the law, even when they may feel sympathy for a person, or disagree with what the law says. Judges must be the "adult in the room," even when the situation becomes tense. Judges must always maintain their composure, put personal feelings aside, and try to do the right thing. Additionally, judges should always provide parties an opportunity to be heard, and understand that a person may be in court to talk about one of the worst experiences of their lives. Finding the right balance of empathy while still adhering to the law is a constant challenge. That is why judges must have a wide breath of both legal experience, and life experience, before they take the bench.

How would you describe your legal philosophy?

It is important to listen to the parties, whether they represent themselves or have attorneys. After understanding the facts, the judge must read any relevant statutes, constitutional provisions, and case law to figure out what the law is guiding them to do. The judge then must make their best effort to apply the law to the facts in a way that is as fair as possible to both sides.

Is there a particular judge, past or present, whom you admire?

I have been in front of many judges that I admire. Judges, just like people, have unique personalities and approaches. I think the most important thing a judge can do is to be confident in themselves, and bring their best qualities to the role. I have the most respect for the judges that have a genuine desire to apply the law to the facts of the case in a way that is impartial and yet work to be fair.

Do you believe that empathy is an important quality for a judge?

Absolutely. The courtroom can be a stressful place, and people are often there on one of the worst days of their lives, or to talk about one of the worst things that's ever happened to them. Even if a judge cannot rule in their favor, they should always show empathy, try to understand, and give people the opportunity to be heard.

Have you ever been rated by a Bar Association? If so, what was the rating?

No I have not.

Why are you running for this particular court seat?

The judge who was in this seat decided not to run again, so I picked this seat because it was open, and I preferred not to run against an incumbent.

Do you believe that it's beneficial for a judge to have previous experience in government or politics?

Yes, as to government. No, as to politics. I was a prosecutor for eight years, and that experience as a public servant and government employee is invaluable. I understand the fundamentals of working in a government job, and the limitations imposed by funding. I also understand that the role of a judge is that of a public servant, meaning it is a judge's job to serve the people in their community. I do not think that it is beneficial to have experience in politics, as I prefer people who do not have political ambition to be judges.

What is your primary concern about today's legal system in your state?

The process of selecting judges for appointment has become more and more political in recent years. I am concerned that politics play too big of a role in both appointment and election. I would like to see judges who refrain from politics, and have a true desire to be impartial.

What do you consider the greatest opportunity for the legal system in your state?

I would like to see problem solving courts expanded to include people with more severe mental health and substance abuse issues. I would also like to see additional funding for the courts, the State Attorney's Office, and the Public Defender's office so that they can better serve the citizens of Orange and Osceola Counties.

Would you be interested in serving on a higher court in the future? If so, which court appeals to you?

At this point, I would prefer to stay at the trial court level. I am a trial attorney, and I've spent nearly every day of my career in court. I prefer the fast paced, quick decision making atmosphere and am excited to serve in that capacity.

Do you believe that Bar Association ratings are an accurate reflection of a judge’s ability?

I do not.

Tell us your favorite joke.

Ha, I'm not very funny. My son's latest favorite is:

Q: What did one plate whisper to the other plate?

A: Dinner is on me.

Note: Ballotpedia reserves the right to edit Candidate Connection survey responses. Any edits made by Ballotpedia will be clearly marked with [brackets] for the public. If the candidate disagrees with an edit, he or she may request the full removal of the survey response from Ballotpedia.org. Ballotpedia does not edit or correct typographical errors unless the candidate's campaign requests it.

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Candidate

Florida 9th Circuit Court

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Footnotes

↑ Information submitted to Ballotpedia through the Candidate Connection survey on August 8, 2022

Florida courts

Federal courts:

Eleventh Circuit Court of Appeals • U.S. District Court: Middle District of Florida, Northern District of Florida, Southern District of Florida • U.S. Bankruptcy Court: Middle District of Florida, Northern District of Florida, Southern District of Florida

State courts:

Florida Supreme Court • Florida District Courts of Appeal • Florida Circuit Court • Florida County Court

State resources:

Courts in Florida • Florida judicial elections • Judicial selection in Florida

[1] Information submitted to Ballotpedia through the Candidate Connection survey on August 8, 2022

[1]

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Alison Kerestes

Contents

Biography

Elections

2022

Nonpartisan primary election

Nonpartisan primary for Florida 9th Circuit Court

Endorsements

Campaign themes

2022

Video for Ballotpedia

Ballotpedia survey responses

See also

External links

Footnotes

Information about voting

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