Broward County Court Judge Robert F. Diaz. Photo: Melanie Bell/ALM

The Daily Business Review's coverage of South Florida candidates in the August primary election features Q&As with candidates in judicial races across South Florida. This installment focuses on the race for Broward County Court judge, Group 10.

Incumbent Judge Robert F. “Bob” Diaz and challenger Michael John Heise are running. Heise did not respond to requests for comment.

Diaz has served as a county court judge for nearly three decades. Here's what he has to say about what qualifies him for re-election. Responses have been edited for style and content.

Why do you want to remain a county court judge?

Diaz: I have been a county court judge for 26 years. My reasons for wanting to continue to be a county court judge are the same now as when I first became a judge in 1992. I want to help people in any way I can and serve the citizens of Broward County. I was a public defender for eight years and helped many people who could not afford a lawyer. I was a zealous advocate for my clients. As a judge, I am in a position to dispense impartial justice that may give defendants another chance, or to make sure that impartial justice is given to those who may need incarceration to protect society. It also allows me to mentor young lawyers and have an impact on the justice system as a whole. My community involvement is extensive and has been continuous for each of the 26 years I have been on the bench. My courtroom work and my community work give me the opportunity to be a public servant to the citizens of Broward County.

What about your experience qualifies you for the position?

Diaz: Before becoming a county court judge, I tried 125 jury trials and hundreds of nonjury trials. Since becoming a judge, I have presided over 350 jury trials and hundreds of nonjury trials. I have been a faculty member of New Judge's College for 24 years, training new judges on how to respond to various courtroom scenarios. I always remind the new judges that we are in the “people business,” and that people might not remember what you say, but they will always remember how you made them feel. I believe teaching judges for the last 24 years has had an impact on our justice system throughout the state. I am also an adjunct professor at Nova Law School and teach a class called “Street Law.” It is modeled after the National Street Law Program from Washington, D.C. I teach law students about teaching. They in turn go out and teach high school and middle school students about the law. We then have a mock trial at the Broward County Courthouse with 700-800 parents and students participating twice each year. I have been teaching this class for 29 years and have had 58 mock trials at the courthouse. I have exposed more than 40,000 students and parents to the justice system in Broward County. In December 2017 and in July 2018, I sponsored a multiagency driver license suspension workshop to help drivers get their driving privileges reinstated. Between the two workshops, more than 150 citizens were able to get a valid license and drive legally again. Many others were able to get on a payment plan to begin to get their driving privilege back.

What's your biggest achievement so far?

Diaz: My biggest achievement is not marked by any one event or activity, but rather it comes from a lifetime of public service where I feel I have impacted the entire legal community by teaching, mentoring and being actively involved in all facets of law-related education and community service.

I have been able to become a well-respected member of Broward's legal community with a reputation for running an efficient, professional courtroom while ensuring that impartial justice is dispensed. I also founded a group with the Young Lawyer's Section of the Broward Bar called “Lawyers for Literacy,” where about 10 members of our group go out and read to first-grade students once a month. Over four years, we have provided more  than 14,000 kids with books to take home. I have been a member of Nova Law School's board of governors for 15 years. I go to 15-20 high schools and middle schools each year to teach them about the law and the legal profession. I teach and mentor between five to 10 law students preparing for the bar exam, twice a year for the last eight years. I have also been a faculty member of the National Institute of Trial Advocacy for 27 years.

What would a successful term look like for you?

Diaz: A successful term to me would be one where I continue my current work on the bench. I would also continue to teach law-related classes, continue to be active in the legal community, and continue to help the citizens of Broward County through community service.

What is the most important issue facing the Broward circuit at the moment?

Diaz: One of the most important issues facing the Broward County courts is related to mental health issues. You only have to look around at the recent events that have occurred in Broward County to know that there are opportunities for improvement in all facets of the system. There are no easy answers. But, if we all work together, I am certain we can find some solutions.