Donald E. Smith This is Me

Education

 Web References

1. 1. Election 2004 | PensacolaNewsJournal.com

   www.gulfcoastgateway.com/news/ - [Cached]

   Published on: 8/23/2004   Last Visited: 8/23/2004

   "I don't have very many ties here," said Smith. "I'm not involved with any law firms. I'm not buddies with everybody." State law prevents judicial candidates from commenting on specific cases, publicizing their party affiliation or making remarks that might commit them to a position on controversial issues.
   
   Ackerman and Smith both say their top priority on the bench would be resolving cases fairly - without preference or prejudice.
   ...
   Donald Smith
   
   Smith, an alumnus of the Mercer University School of Law and former medical technologist at Baptist Hospital, spent six years as a public defender in Sarasota before going into private practice.
   
   In 1995, he moved back to Myrtle Grove, the neighborhood where he was raised, and opened his own practice. Although Smith acknowledges he's something of a "dark horse," he said his status as an outsider to the Pensacola legal community means he can bring true impartiality to the bench and would not be beholden to other interests.
   
   "I truly can be neutral because I don't owe favors to anyone," he said. "I can truly be independent and have no fear of making rulings that might be unpopular."
   
   Smith said he hopes to improve public perception of the judicial system - particularly in the black community and in other areas where people feel they have received unnecessarily harsh treatment by law enforcement and judges.
   
   He said it's important to use counseling programs, community service and other avenues to treat problems that often contribute to defendants' troubles with the law.
   
   "Maybe it's drugs, maybe it's alcohol, maybe it's anger," Smith said.
   ...
   Donald E. Smith

2. 2. Election 2004 | PensacolaNewsJournal.com

   www.gulfcoastgateway.com/news/ - [Cached]

   Published on: 8/23/2004   Last Visited: 10/30/2004

   Ackerman and Smith both say their top priority on the bench would be resolving cases fairly , without preference or prejudice.
   ...
   Donald Smith
   
   Smith, an alumnus of the Mercer University School of Law and former medical technologist at Baptist Hospital, spent six years as a public defender in Sarasota before going into private practice.
   
   In 1995, he moved back to Myrtle Grove, the neighborhood where he was raised, and opened his own practice. Although Smith acknowledges he,s something of a ,dark horse,, he said his status as an outsider to the Pensacola legal community means he can bring true impartiality to the bench and would not be beholden to other interests.
   
   ,I truly can be neutral because I don,t owe favors to anyone,, he said. ,I can truly be independent and have no fear of making rulings that might be unpopular.,
   
   Smith said he hopes to improve public perception of the judicial system , particularly in the black community and in other areas where people feel they have received unnecessarily harsh treatment by law enforcement and judges.
   
   He said it,s important to use counseling programs, community service and other avenues to treat problems that often contribute to defendants, troubles with the law.
   ...
   Donald E. Smith