As part of the Daily Business Review's coverage of the primary election set for Aug. 28, here's part of a series of Q&As with South Florida candidates running for judgeships.

Lawyer and scientist Maxine Diane Cheesman, former state prosecutor Marybel Reinoso Coleman and Assistant Public Defender Joseph “Joe” Maryuma are running for Palm Beach Circuit judge, Group 18. Here's what they had to say about what qualifies them for the bench. Responses have been edited for style and content.

Maxine Diane Cheesman

Cheesman has been an attorney for 13 years, specializing in real property, fair housing, bankruptcy, probate, employment and contract law. She has vast jury and trial experience, and also provides pro bono legal services for the Legal Aid Society of Palm Beach County, which gave her its “And Justice For All” pro bono award.

Before entering the legal world, Cheesman was a scientist and worked as a hydrogeologist, chemist and director for the South Florida Water Management District. She obtained a bachelor's degree in chemistry from the University of the West Indies, a master's degree in organic chemistry from the University of Miami and a law degree from Nova Southeastern University.

Why do you want to be a circuit court judge?

Cheesman: I have the qualifications, experience and temperament to be a circuit court judge. In addition to my private practice, I serve the public by providing pro bono legal services to those who need it. In my law career, I have helped a lot of people resolve their legal issues and I believe I have made a positive difference in their lives. However, I know that I can do even more for the greater good of our community. For me, the pinnacle of public service in the legal profession is to serve as a judge. I am a public servant, and have been for 27 years. That is the type of service which is in my heart.

What about your experience qualifies you for the position?

Cheesman: As a 22-year resident of Palm Beach County and an attorney in good standing for more than 13 years, I'm qualified to serve as circuit court judge. In my private practice, I have practiced in almost every area of the circuit court and have litigated cases in the areas of real property, fair housing, bankruptcy, probate, family, employment and contract law. I have experienced all aspects of the courtroom, representing plaintiffs and defendants in hearings, jury and bench trials.

I also have 27 years of experience as a scientist, chemist, hydrogeologist and as a former director with the South Florida Water Management District. I am uniquely qualified to preside over complex cases dealing with water resources, the Agricultural Reserve, and the other complex environmental issues that frequently come before the circuit court. As a judge, I'd continue my history of public service and have an even greater impact on the lives of the people who come before the court.

What's your biggest achievement so far?

Cheesman: Being a small-business owner of my law firm and being able to help so many people resolve their individual problems.

What would a successful term look like for you?

Any backlog of cases on the docket would be eliminated or significantly reduced, processes would be implemented to enhance the efficiency of the court, and all people would leave the courtroom feeling respected. They would feel that the process was fair, and that they had their opportunity to be heard by the court.

What is the most important issue facing the Palm Beach circuit at the moment?

Cheesman: Funding. Judges have very heavy caseloads and there has been no significant increases in judicial funding to hire more judges, magistrates or judicial assistants.

Marybel Reinoso Coleman

Former state prosecutor Coleman has been practicing law for more than 25 years, and began her career at the Palm Beach office of the state attorney. She became deputy chief of county court within a year, handled a caseload of at least 300 cases, and was responsible for training new attorneys. Coleman has handled more than 50 jury trials in county court on matters including DUI, domestic battery and petty theft. She has also worked in the circuit court's Crimes Against Children and Sex Crimes Division, where she handled many jury trials, including capital sexual battery, first-degree murder and robbery with a firearm.

Coleman was an independent contract attorney at the Palm Beach County Sheriff's Office from August 2003 to August 2006, and opened a private firm in 2010. She moved to Palm Beach from Cuba in 1971, has four children with Eric Coleman, a major at the Broward County Sheriff's Office.

Why do you want to be a circuit court judge?

Coleman: I have a passion for the laws and freedoms provided under our Constitution. My family and I emigrated from Cuba in 1971 so that we would have a life of opportunity. I believe our judiciary is crucial in preserving our most fundamental rights and I have geared my career toward this ultimate public service.

What about your experience qualifies you for the position?

Coleman: I have been an attorney in Palm Beach County for more than 25 years and have litigated cases in every division of the circuit court. In addition to trying more than 100 jury trials and 100 bench trials, I have served as a juror to verdict, and testified as a witness. Those experiences and the insight I've gained not only as an attorney, but from observing the many different judges I have appeared before, provide me with tools others do not possess. I have the appropriate temperament to treat all fairly, impartially and with integrity, independent thinking, compassion and the desire to serve the public.

What's your biggest achievement so far?

Coleman: My biggest achievement so far is my children. I am the proud stepmother to two, now 25 and 26, who were 7 and 8 years old when I met them, and 13-year-old twins. The daily challenges we have faced have been far outweighed by the joy and love of our family.

What would a successful term look like for you?

Coleman: A successful term would be one in which my colleagues, members of the Florida Bar and the citizens of Palm Beach County would continue to support their decision to elect me. I want to establish a reputation as a jurist who truly cares about preservation of our laws and our freedoms, and someone who treats everyone with dignity, respect and compassion.

What is the most important issue facing the Palm Beach circuit at the moment?

Coleman: I believe the most important issue facing our justice system is the lack of state funding. The Florida court system accounts for less than 1 percent of the state's budget. Because of this budget shortfall, courtroom efficiency is affected. Oftentimes, cases remain open for years because there are not enough judges, clerks, judicial assistants, state attorneys and public defenders to handle the cases so that justice is served properly. Justice delayed amounts to justice denied in some circumstances. Also, there is a lack of resources, particularly, in the criminal courts, because of funding. Crucial, necessary programs which address mental health, substance addictions and juvenile offenders are not readily available to service our community.

Joseph “Joe” Maryuma

Maryuma was born and raised in South Florida to Jewish immigrant parents. He graduated magna cum laude from Florida Atlantic University and cum laude from Florida International University College of Law, where he was fifth in his law school class. Maryuma has spent the last 12 years in court as an assistant public defender and currently represents juveniles.

In his free time, Maryuma mentors young adults for Florida nonprofit organization Take Stock in Children, is president of his condominium association, and says he's proud to be endorsed by the Sun-Sentinel and the National Organization for Women. Maryuma has two daughters with his wife, Lina.

Why do you want be a circuit court judge?

Maryuma: I am running for judge because I want to ensure that the justice and court systems function the way they were designed to. I have been in court every day for the past 12 years before all different kinds of judges, and I have learned how important it is for a judge to be fair, respectful and efficient.

A judge should step onto the bench free of any predetermined notions or beliefs about how a case should be decided. I believe this enhances the public trust in the judicial process. Even though we work in an adversarial legal system, it does not have to be a hostile environment. I want to create a more civil and professional atmosphere so that every person who comes to court feels respected and valued. Finally, it is crucial for a judge to be able to efficiently manage a docket in order to eliminate unnecessary delays in the resolution of cases.

What about your experience qualifies you for the position?

Maryuma: My professional experience in representing everyday people and all the complex legal issues they face inside and outside of the courtroom and my modest, hardworking upbringing has best prepared me to be a judge. For the past 12 years as an assistant public defender, I have been in court every day and have completed more than 100 trials from cases as serious as first-degree murder to simple traffic offenses.

Furthermore, my ability to relate to clients, victims, families, police officers, courtroom staff and opposing counsel in a civil and respectful manner is rooted in my own life experiences. My parents are working-class immigrants who raised me and my sisters to appreciate the values of hard work and commitment. My mother is a small-business owner. My father has worked for two kosher markets his entire life. They continue to work long hours, six days a week, without complaint, and have taught us to do the same. At 16 years old, I started working nights and weekends for McDonald's in order to save money to go to college, and I became the first in my family to do so. Going to law school was an even greater accomplishment, where I graduated fifth in my class.

What's your biggest achievement so far?

Maryuma: My biggest achievement has been serving as a public servant for more than 10 years. I made many personal and career sacrifices in order to keep serving my community, and in turn my life has been enriched with the experiences, lessons and rewards that I know will make me a more effective judge.

What would a successful term look like for you?

Maryuma: I have long-standing goals that I hope will create and mobilize great changes to the circuit court during my term. The biggest goal would be to eliminate unnecessary hearings that only serve to increase the cost of going to court. Many cases go on for too long and cost too much to get to a resolution. An efficient judge prepares by reading and knowing the case law submitted by the litigants, and then makes more thorough, informed and timely decisions. Also, I want to make the courtroom a less hostile environment by giving respect to all persons and encouraging professionalism, which saves time and money too!

What is the most important issue facing the Palm Beach circuit at the moment?

Maryuma: For the civil courts, the biggest issue affecting the circuit is the limited accessibility to the courts. Civil court is where people go to resolve their conflicts but it has become too expensive and laborious. A well-qualified and impartial judge will manage cases differently by minimizing continuances and providing timely decisions on motions. The biggest issue affecting the circuit criminal court is the treatment of juveniles accused of crimes. Juveniles must be treated fairly and given opportunities for rehabilitation within the community, particularly for nonviolent offenses.

Related stories: