Incumbent Judge Joseph Mansfield and Miguel "Mike" Mirabal are both seeking a seat on the Miami-Dade County Court in the August primary election. Here's why these Group 9 candidates say they're a good choice for the black robe. Responses have been edited for style and content.

Related: 2020 South Florida Elections: Use this Voter Guide to Learn More About Candidates Running for Judge

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Judge Joseph Mansfield

Mansfield rose to the bench in 2017, is a former prosecutor and has also served in the U.S. Coast Guard Reserves.

Why are you running for this position?

I have dedicated my entire career to public service. I obtained my Bachelor of Science degree from the University of Akron, and entered the work force soon after. I also served in the U.S Coast Guard Reserves. I then obtained my Juris Doctor in law from the Cleveland-Marshall College of Law in Cleveland, Ohio. Upon graduation, I decided to pursue a career in public service, so I accepted an offer to join the Miami-Dade State Attorney's Office. It was during this time that I became passionate about serving my community. While serving as an assistant state attorney, I tried more than 80 jury trials.

In August of 2017, I was appointed to the judicial bench by then-Gov. Rick Scott. I have spent the last three years serving my community as a sitting county court judge. I have been assigned to both civil and criminal divisions, and have handled thousands of cases. I currently preside over a criminal division, where I handle all criminal matters. I have a very trial-active division and I have presided over 50 jury trials. As a judge, I believe it is my job to provide a forum where people are respected, where they feel comfortable to present their perspective and where they feel they have been heard. I feel that the courtroom is a place that should be respected, and I am keenly aware that the decisions I make every day affect countless lives.

What about your experience qualifies you for the position?

I have experience in three different areas that I feel has uniquely qualified me to be a successful judge. First of all, I have significant life experience. I did not go straight from my undergraduate studies to law school. I entered the workforce for several years to obtain valuable life experience. I worked in public relations and I served in the Coast Guard. Through this life experience, I gained valuable perspective. I am aware that every decision I make affects many lives, and having life experience is crucial to my success on the bench.

I also have extensive education experience. In addition to my formal U of A studies, I also studied abroad at Richmond College in London, England, where I studied British politics. While I obtained my law degree from the Cleveland Marshall College of Law, I also studied abroad at McGill University in Montreal, Canada, where I studied international maritime law. And finally, I have extensive legal experience from my work as a lawyer and an advocate. I have spent the last 20 years laboring in the courtrooms of Miami-Dade County. As an assistant state attorney, I tried more than 80 jury trial on crimes of significant violence. As a judge, I have presided over 50 jury trials and countless motion hearings and evidentiary hearings. I have extensive experience effectively managing a courtroom.

What's your biggest achievement so far?

One of my biggest achievements was relocating to Miami to pursue a career in public service.  I did not know anyone in Miami before moving here, and I had limited experience with the city prior to the move. An initial three-year commitment at the Miami-Dade State Attorney's Office turned into 16. During that time, I embraced my new community and further committed to giving back and making it a better place to live. I fell in love with the work that I was doing, as I became passionate about advocating for victims of crime, and I committed to being a productive prosecutor who tried a lot of cases and actively sought resolution in the cases assigned to me.

I also consider getting appointed to the bench a great achievement. I went through the Judicial Nominating Commission, and I prevailed in a highly-competitive process that subjects applicants to in-depth vetting. I am grateful that the reputation I built with my peers in the legal profession was instrumental during that vetting process. In August 2017, I was appointed to the judicial bench, and have spent the last three years serving my community as a sitting county court judge. I currently preside over a criminal division, where I handle all criminal matters. I have a very trial-active division and I have presided over 50 jury trials. And lastly, I am proud of the judge that I strive to be every day. I take the honor very seriously.

What would a successful term look like for you?

For me, a successful term would look like it has looked for the past three years.  Every day, I am reminded of the grave importance of what I do. I strive to create a forum where people from all walks of life feel they are treated fairly, and their viewpoints are recognized and considered by the court. I take my oath to enforce the law handed down by the legislature very seriously. I seek to research and understand the laws that I am sworn to apply, and I strive to apply them accurately and consistently.

I want to continue to preside over a trial active courtroom — one that recognizes that justice delayed is justice denied. And I would like to continue to provide lawyers with a valid and functional courtroom, where they can try their cases effectively and efficiently in front of a judge who knows the law, knows how to conduct a trial, understands the rules of evidence and applies governing law accurately.

Lastly, I would like to continue working with juveniles who come into the criminal system. Throughout my career, I have been involved in the juvenile drug program and the juvenile boot camp program. I would like to continue crafting alternative methods of punishment and rehabilitation in an effort the break the "school to prison" pipeline that seems to plague our youth today.

What is the most important issue facing your county at the moment?

Speaking as a judge assigned to the criminal bench, I believe that one of the most important issues facing our county at the moment is the lack of confidence in our system of criminal justice. In order for any system of government to be effective, it is essential that those over whom it governs have confidence that the system is fair, that it protects us all equally and that punishments are meted out fairly across all people from all walks of life. Right now, the issues of our time with regard to the people of our communities, and their interaction with law enforcement, have created a huge distrust and lack of confidence in our criminal justice system. Defendants, victims of crime and law enforcement officers have lost faith in our system. That reality is not just reflected by those folks in the courtroom, but also in the mindset of prospective jurors. The fracture in the system is grave, and the effects are felt every day in the courtroom and in our communities.

I believe that judges can play an important role in reversing this trend and in creating a renewed confidence in our system of justice in several different ways. First, judges need to be mindful of the impact that the courtroom experience has on many different people. They need to follow the law consistently, and they need to create a culture of respect and inherent fairness of our judicial system.

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Miguel "Mike" Mirabal

Mirabal is corporate in-house counsel at Global Legal in Coral Gables and has practiced law in Florida, Spain and Latin America.

Why are you running for this position?

I want to serve the citizens of Miami-Dade as their next county court judge. I want to use my unique legal training, and apply my professional and life experiences for the benefit of residents of Miami-Dade. I want to give back to this community that has given me so much.

What about your experience qualifies you for the position?

I was born, raised and educated in Miami and I am a product of this proud community. I strongly believe that my professional experience, temperament and ties to my community make me uniquely suited to serve in any county court division from day one. In my 16 years as a lawyer, I have worked in the areas of: real estate, corporate law, domestic violence, landlord tenant, evictions, civil litigation, family law, immigration, corporate issues and employment law. I have practiced in Florida, Spain and most of Latin America. I have my Juris Doctor, but also hold a Master of Laws in international law, a masters in international business and my Spanish law degrees.

I have made a conscious effort to temper my professional life with community service. I have also been involved with several pro bono organizations, guardian ad litem and mentor-mentee and internship programs, such as the Cuban American Bar Association and nonprofits such as Global Humanitarian and Protect the Children in Spain, a global crisis foundation; REN21 for Green Energies, D'Amor Foundation for autistic children and SAVE AMAZONAS.

In addition, I am involved pro bono or on the board of: Women's Enhancement Center, Pain 2 Purpose Inc. and nonprofit organizations that assist female victims of domestic violence. I have been an adjunct professor and served in a high school mentor-mentee program.

What's your biggest achievement so far?

Teaching, community service and my mentor-mentee internship program.

What would a successful term look like for you?

Having six years on the bench with positive community input, while still being able to do community service and mentoring. That the voters feel that I represent them, and that I have been an honest, fair and compassionate judge while following the law.

What is the most important issue facing your county at the moment?

Diversity and inclusion on the bench, while granting traditionally marginalized groups accessibility to the justice system.

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