Common Sense Justice

Common sense justice combines:

  • Legal knowledge
  • Life experience
  • Practicality

Common sense justice calls for a judge who is:

  • Courteous to all
  • Efficient
  • Fair

Common sense justice means:

  • Listening to those who have been victimized by crime
  • Respecting the rights of the accused
  • Taking the time to consider all sides
  • Being a good steward of the taxpayers’ money

 

Why Vote for Ruth Ann?

Ruth Ann’s legal and life experience will enable her to serve as a County Court Judge with “Common Sense Justice.”

  • The most experienced candidate with 20+ years of practice (including almost 8 years practicing exclusively in County Court)
  • Handled  thousands of misdemeanor cases, general civil cases and small claims cases in County Court
  • Defended thousands of felony cases in Circuit Court, from first degree murder to worthless checks
  • Member of the Florida Supreme Court Committee on Standard Jury Instructions in Criminal Cases
  • Argued before the First District Court of Appeal
  • Represented people in family law cases (divorce, child support, custody disputes), domestic violence injunctions, adoptions, Social Security disability claims, juvenile delinquency cases, and dependency cases
  • Assistant Public Defender for 13 years
  • Owner of The Hepler Law Firm for 3+ years
  • Partner at Sullivan & Hepler
  • Participant in Jacksonville Area Legal Aid pro bono program
  • Small business owner — Hepler Bros. LLC
  • Married more than 20 years with three teenage daughters

 

What does a County Court Judge Do ?

In Florida, County Court judges handle:

  • Civil cases: including landlord/tenant disputes (evictions) and all lawsuits valued at $15,000 or less. Small Claims Court is for claims valued at $5,000 or less.
  • Criminal misdemeanor cases:  A misdemeanor in Florida is any crime punishable by up to one year in jail. The most common misdemeanor cases are DUI, battery, worthless check, and driving while license suspended or revoked.
  • First appearance court: (commonly called “J1” in Jacksonville), which is held 365 days per year.