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Dee Jones
Dee Jones ran for election for judge of the Hillsborough County Court in Florida. She lost in the primary on August 20, 2024.
Jones completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey in 2024. Click here to read the survey answers.
Biography
Dee Jones was born in Bangkok, Thailand. She earned a high school diploma from Chamberlain High School, a bachelor's degree from the University of Florida in 1992, a law degree from the University of Florida in 1995, and a Ph.D. from the University of South Florida in 2013. Her career experience includes working as a lawyer and faculty member at the University of South Florida College of Medicine. Jones has been affiliated with Abe Brown Ministries, UF Law Alumni Council, George Edgecomb Bar Association, Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority Inc, Kiwanis International Tampa Executive Board, Athena Society, Tampa Prep Exec Board, National Black Prosecutors Association, National Black Prosecutors Association, Florida Bar, iLawyer Program, Crossroads for Kids, and Hillsborough Association of Women Lawyers Community Outreach Cmte Chair.[1]
Elections
2024
See also: Municipal elections in Hillsborough County, Florida (2024)
Nonpartisan primary election
Nonpartisan primary for Hillsborough County Court
Incumbent Matthew Smith won election outright against Dee Jones in the primary for Hillsborough County Court on August 20, 2024.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ |  | Matthew Smith (Nonpartisan) | 55.4 | 84,466 |
 | Dee Jones (Nonpartisan)  | 44.6 | 67,998 | |
| Total votes: 152,464 | |||
| = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey. | ||||
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Endorsements
Ballotpedia did not identify endorsements for Jones in this election.
Campaign themes
2024
Ballotpedia survey responses
See also: Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection
Dee Jones completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey in 2024. The survey questions appear in bold and are followed by Jones' responses. Candidates are asked three required questions for this survey, but they may answer additional optional questions as well.
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- Impartiality and compassion: Judges must remain unbiased and fair, making decisions based solely on the law and the facts. Judges should also consider the diverse backgrounds and experiences of the people they serve, fostering a sense of connection and understanding.
- Integrity and Engagement: Judges should demonstrate high ethical standards, and a commitment to justice, ensuring trust in the judicial system. Trust is also exhibited when judges actively participate in the community, thereby, demonstrating a commitment to improving the community and being accessible to its members.
- my goal is to balance the need for procedural fairness with the duty to uphold the integrity of the legal process. By fostering an environment of respect, understanding, and equitable treatment, I aim to mitigate the impact of poor representation and uphold the rights of all parties involved.
a)Impartiality and compassion: Judges must remain unbiased and fair, making decisions based solely on the
law and the facts. Judges should also consider the diverse backgrounds and experiences of the people they serve, fostering a sense of connection and understanding.
b)Integrity and Engagement: Judges should demonstrate high ethical standards, and a commitment to justice, ensuring trust in the judicial system. Trust is also exhibited when judges actively participate in the community, thereby, demonstrating a commitment to improving the community and being accessible to its members.
c)Judicial Temperament: Judges should possess patience, open-mindedness, courtesy, and the ability to
experience in both criminal and civil law and my profound understanding of the law coupled with a deep appreciation for the fundamental role of the County Court in serving the people. I recognize that the law is not just a set of rules to be followed but a framework designed to ensure justice, equity, and fairness within our community. My commitment to interpreting and applying the law is rooted in a thorough and ongoing engagement with legal principles, precedents, and statutes. Having practiced for twenty-eight years in both the civil and criminal domains, if elected, I will be ready to go on day 1. The Chief Judge can place me in any court with the confidence and assurance that I can effectively manage my docket and provide sound rulings.
Equally important, I understand that County Court is inherently about the people it serves. Every case,
regardless of its complexity, involves individuals whose lives are directly impacted by my decisions. I strive
to approach each case with empathy, respect, and a focus on achieving fair outcomes that reflect the human aspect of the judicial process. By balancing a rigorous application of the law with a compassionate
understanding of its impact on people's lives, I aim to uphold the integrity and trust placed in our judicial
The judge is also responsible for court room decorm, ensuring that the court room environment does not make anyone feel threatened or harassed and they accomplish this by setting standards and their expectations as well as employing the assistance of their bailiffs.
Besides overseeing a courtroom, judges are responsible for:
Case Management: They manage the progress of cases, scheduling hearings, and ensuring timely resolution.
Legal Research and Writing: Judges often conduct legal research and write opinions, orders, and rulings.
Sentencing: In criminal cases, judges determine appropriate sentences for convicted individuals.
Signing off on settlements and plea negotiations
Administrative Duties: Judges often have administrative roles, overseeing court staff and managing budgets.
Community Engagement: They may engage in public speaking, educational outreach, and community service to promote understanding of the legal system.
Professional Development: Judges continually update their knowledge of the law through continuing education and training.
impartially and fairly. I believe in interpreting statutes and constitutional provisions based on their plain
meaning, legislative intent, and legal precedent. This approach ensures consistency, predictability, and
respect for the rule of law.
While I recognize the judiciary's role in safeguarding individual rights and liberties, I am mindful of the
separation of powers and the limits of judicial authority. I strive to exercise judicial restraint, respecting the
legislative process and deferring to elected representatives to address complex policy issues.
At the same time, judges have a duty to uphold fundamental rights and principles, including equal protection
under the law and due process. In cases where existing laws may conflict with constitutional guarantees or
where injustices are evident, judges may play a critical role in ensuring that the law is applied justly and
equitably.
Using judicial power to advance personal or political agendas is inconsistent with the judicial role as I
understand it. It is essential for judges to maintain impartiality, independence, and adherence to legal
principles, thereby preserving public trust in the judiciary.
Ultimately, my commitment as a judge is to uphold the law with integrity, fairness, and a deep respect for
the judicial process. This approach ensures that justice is administered impartially and in accordance with the
inherent in various legal disciplines, enhancing my ability to interpret and apply the law effectively.
Additionally, my current role as a trial strategist, where I provide guidance on over 7000 trial cases a year
in Florida and Texas, has honed my skills in case analysis, evidence evaluation, and strategic decision-
making. This extensive experience in trial preparation and courtroom dynamics has equipped me with a
can delay justice and extend the time it takes to resolve cases.
Resource Constraints: Limited funding and resources can impact the efficiency and effectiveness of the court
system, affecting everything from staffing levels to the availability of necessary technology. If would also be
helpful if the courts received additional funding to hire more staff attorneys and/or law clerks.
Access to Justice: Despite efforts to provide legal aid, there remain significant barriers for low-income
individuals and marginalized communities in accessing legal services and understanding their legal rights.
The courts could receive additional funding to further collaborative initiatives with the voluntary bar
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.
See also
2024 Elections
External links
Footnotes
- ↑ Information submitted to Ballotpedia through the Candidate Connection survey on July 22, 2024
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
