News Feature

As a judge, when I hear ‘rule of law,’ I think of the bedrock principle that governs a just society: a system where all — individuals, officials, and institutions — are equally accountable to transparent, fair, and consistently applied laws. It demands an independent judiciary, impartial enforcement, and laws grounded in reason, not whim. It safeguards rights, ensures access to justice, and prevents arbitrary power.

I view the Constitution’s ideal of ‘E Pluribus Unum’ — ‘Out of many, one’ — as a call to unity through diversity, where individual citizens play a vital role in fulfilling this promise by actively using their voices to strengthen the rule of law and foster a cohesive society. Here are ways citizens can contribute:

• Engage in Informed Civic Discourse: Citizens can study the Constitution, understand their rights and responsibilities, and participate in respectful, reasoned dialogue.
• Vote and Advocate: Voting in elections at all levels ensures representation that aligns with constitutional principles.
• Hold Institutions Accountable: The rule of law thrives when citizens monitor government actions. Through public records requests, attending local government meetings, or supporting investigative journalism, individuals can ensure transparency and accountability, aligning governance with constitutional ideals.
• Defend Constitutional Rights: Citizens can speak out against violations of rights—whether their own or others’—by supporting legal challenges, raising awareness, or volunteering with organizations that protect civil liberties. This strengthens the constitutional framework that unites us.
• Build Community: The promise of ‘one’ is fulfilled locally. Citizens can foster unity by engaging in community service, mediating conflicts, or creating inclusive spaces where diverse voices are heard, reinforcing the social bonds that underpin a unified nation.
• Educate and Inspire: Sharing knowledge about the Constitution—through teaching, mentoring, or storytelling—empowers others to participate. Citizens can inspire younger generations to value the rule of law and unity, ensuring the promise endures.

 

While the law can be bent to serve the interests of the powerful and connected it should never be transgressed. Differences of opinion as to the meaning and application of a rule are to be expected; and ultimately it is the role of the judiciary to determine the breadth and meaning of a rule of law.

Furthermore abiding by the rule of law places constraints on our individual and group behavior. It gives notice that the liberty to do whatever we wish is not without limits. The rules of law bind us together in a way that provides us with security and knowledge that core values are shared by the community.

But ‘we the people’ must always be vigilant; institutions and values can be fragile. To be bound by the law is every citizen’s birthright but it is often challenged. The rule of and by law will survive only to the extent we commit to its survival.

I recall a long-ago case of a client who had been convicted of a serious crime and had served his time. Later, when his neighbors discovered the conviction, some of them wanted to eject him from the neighborhood. I considered it a privilege to inform those neighbors that my client had no intention of leaving his own home and that he would not take kindly to continued harassment. The harassment stopped. Not a case that some would consider important, but a great example of the ways — both large and small — that we can protect the rights of individuals.

As lawyers, I think we have an obligation to use our experience and skills to gently educate individuals on the law and how it’s designed to protect them. A great example is the individual who doesn’t want to prepare a will because either ‘they don’t have anything’ or else they think ‘everyone knows what to do with my stuff when I’m gone.’ Even worse is the person whose will is 20 years old, from another state, and names an executor/administrator who is either deceased or no longer part of their life! What I’ve learned is that generally, if people understand the impact of their decisions (or lack of decisions), and how it will affect the people they love and leave behind, they usually want to do the right thing. Sometimes a 10-minute conversation can save hours of headaches down the road.

As a criminal defense attorney, the protection of individual rights is my daily practice. I think this is best illustrated when I am asked how can I defend people charged with the most serious, violent, or heinous crimes imaginable. The simple answer is, I zealously advocate for the Constitutional rights of these individuals.

We the People is how the Constitution starts, and those charged with crimes are included in that group. If we are to be a country of laws, then the individual rights enshrined in the Constitution must apply to everyone. That means, a degradation in the rights for one (or a specific group) is a degradation in the rights for all.

Simply put, my zealous advocacy for the Constitutional rights of one, reinforces the protection of those rights for everyone. This is how I protect individual rights in my community.

Being a lawyer allows me to protect individual rights in my community in several ways. I have the privilege of being able to advocate for clients, ensuring that their legal rights are upheld and that they receive due process. I also have the privilege of being able to provide legal advice, helping individuals understand their rights and obligations, and empowering them to make informed decisions about their legal matters. However, most importantly, I am able to educate the public about the legal system aimed at fostering a more informed and engaged community. In sum, being a lawyer allows me to contribute to the protection and enhancement of individual rights, supporting the broader community.

As we celebrate this year’s theme, ‘The Constitution’s Promise: Out of Many, One,’ I am reminded how privileged I am to serve as an advocate for individual rights within the 12th Judicial Circuit, covering [DeSoto], Manatee and Sarasota Counties. Our Constitution lays the foundation for a just society where every person’s rights are respected and protected, and I am honored to play a role in ensuring those promises are kept within our community.

My journey in the legal profession began as a public defender, where I witnessed how critical it is to stand alongside individuals facing the immense power of the state. Later, I expanded my practice to include personal injury and medical malpractice cases, representing those who had been harmed and seeking justice on their behalf. Now, as a solo practitioner focusing primarily on criminal defense, my commitment to protecting constitutional rights is stronger than ever. Each client I represent is a reminder that the rule of law is not abstract — it is personal, it is essential, and it must be fiercely defended.

Our criminal justice system is one of the primary arenas where constitutional rights are tested every day. Whether it is the right to a fair trial, the right against unreasonable searches and seizures, or the right to counsel, I work tirelessly to ensure that these protections are not merely theoretical but are fully realized in practice. Upholding these rights strengthens the integrity of the legal system and reinforces public trust in our courts and institutions.

The theme ‘Out of Many, One’ resonates deeply with the work we do as lawyers. No matter our clients' backgrounds or circumstances, we are unified by the fundamental rights guaranteed to all under the Constitution. Our system depends on lawyers who are willing to challenge injustice, advocate for the underrepresented, and demand that every individual be treated with dignity and fairness.

As we honor the rule of law this year, I am proud to be part of a profession dedicated to safeguarding the Constitution’s promise. It is through our daily efforts, large and small, that we give real meaning to the ideals that unite us as one people under the law.