Candidate: Michael G. Powell

I am blessed to call Charlotte County home for over 35 years, and now I am excited at the chance to serve as your next County Court Judge.  

I married my high school sweetheart Jenna in 1997 and we began our careers and family here.  Jenna has worked for Charlotte County Public Schools system for over 29 years now and was born and raised in Charlotte County.  We have two awesome children, Ainsley age 17 who will graduate from Charlotte High School next year and Jacob, age 19 who will be a sophomore in college. 

After graduating from Port Charlotte High School in 1990, I attended the University of South Florida and graduated in 1994 with a Bachelor’s Degree in Criminology.  From there I attended law school in Jackson, Mississippi and graduated in 1997.  In law school I worked at the Jackson U.S. Attorney’s Office and the Hinds County Mississippi Public Defenders Office.

I began my career with the State Attorney’s Office in Punta Gorda in 1997 as a prosecutor.  During my 10 years with the office, I was responsible for prosecuting every type and degree of misdemeanor and felony offenses from DUI, violent felonies, homicides, sex offenses, and crimes against children.

I left the office in 2005 and began a law firm with a fellow prosecutor where I practiced criminal defense and family law.  During my time in private practice, I presided as a general magistrate for Baker Act Hearings and served as an attorney advisor to the Charlotte County Teen Court program.  I served on the Charlotte County Juvenile Justice Council, the 20th Circuit Peer Review Committee, the 20th Circuit Bar Association Grievance Committee, and was President of the Charlotte County Bar Association from 2013-2014.

In 2010 I started my own practice.  A majority of my criminal practice has always been in county court whether it be misdemeanor criminal charges, civil traffic infractions, or the various small claims matters in which I have represented clients.  I am a trial attorney and have practiced in Courtrooms around this State. 

I have enjoyed contributing to this community in countless ways over the years with youth athletics and other causes as well as being part of the Charlotte County Chamber of Commerce Leadership Charlotte Class of 2009.  I want to give back to this community that has been so great to me and my family by service as your County Court Judge. 

The citizens of Charlotte County should know when they have a matter or dispute that may come before a county Judge they will be treated fairly and respectfully.  Perhaps just as important, is to be before an impartial Judge with a high level of common sense.

It is a critical time in the history of this nation and this state.  I am a strict believer in the Constitution and following the rule of law.  A Judge should not legislate from the bench.  The role of Judge is much like an umpire in baseball, they are there to call balls and strikes, not play favorites. We are very fortunate in Charlotte County to have had excellent Judges past and present running our county courts and I hope to continue that tradition.

When I left the State Attorney’s Office in 2005, one of my first clients in private practice was an individual I had previously prosecuted.  He called me and told me I had done such a good job prosecuting him in the past that he knew I would now be the best attorney to represent him this time. I have spent my career listening and advocating for both sides in court. There is no better preparation to be a good judge then having been on both sides of the courtroom.    

I ask for your Vote in this election.  Thank you.

Mike Powell