Circuit Judge, District 45: Jack Day vs. Agnes Theresa McCabe
Circuit Judge | District 45 Until recently, Agnes Theresa McCabe practiced in front of Pinellas-Pasco Circuit Judge Jack Day handling child welfare cases. Then she filed to run against Day, focusing on her temperament and experience. Day says he has the right experience and approach for another term. Curtis Krueger, Times staff writer| Jack Day, 63 Circuit judge | Agnes Theresa McCabe , 55 Lawyer | |
| Nonpartisan | Party | Nonpartisan |
| Day, who became a lawyer in 1977, worked for a year as an assistant state attorney in Sarasota County. He then worked as a civil trial attorney for a succession of law firms, including his own, sometimes defending insurance companies, sometimes suing them on behalf of clients. He became board certified in civil trial law and a civil court mediator. Day was elected in 2006 and is assigned to the Unified Family Court, which handles juvenile crime and children in the child welfare system. | Experience | McCabe became a lawyer in 1984, and worked from 1986 to 1994 as an assistant district attorney in the Coweta Judicial Circuit in Georgia, handling many felony trials. She also worked at the Georgia Governor's Office of Consumer Affairs before coming to the Tampa Bay area. She has been an assistant public defender in Hillsborough County, and for the past 12 years has worked at the Pinellas-Pasco State Attorney's Office. She handles cases of children considered abused. |
| Received undergraduate and law degrees from the University of Florida. | Education | Undergraduate degree from Emory University, law degree from the University of Denver College of Law. |
| Already has nearly six years' experience as a judge and received the Excellence in Child Welfare Services Award from the state Department of Children and Families. Notes that "I've been endorsed by almost 300 local attorneys," and other groups. Although McCabe stresses that she has the right temperament for a judge, Day said he also seeks to be respectful to those in court and to let the people before him have their say. He also says he had a diverse law practice before becoming a judge. | What makes you the best candidate in this race? | "I have a very balanced approach and an even temperament," she said, adding she would work hard to treat all in the courtroom with respect. Said she has had a positive impact on the criminal justice and dependency court systems where she has worked, and she would strive to do the same as a Pinellas-Pasco circuit judge. Her job requires her to juggle many cases and react quickly to changes, just like judges. "I believe I've learned how to go with the flow, think on my feet but react in a calm manner." |
| Was a founding board member of Gulfcoast Legal Services and before becoming a judge, his law firm was honored for pro bono work. Also has been a board member of the Suncoast Epilepsy Foundation. As a judge, he chairs the Dependency Court Improvement Committee. | Can you describe your community service? | Has volunteered with Big Brother Big Sisters, the Humane Society of North Pinellas and with other community programs. |
| In addition to being a judge, Day cites the "breadth and depth" of his legal experience before that. He said he handled most types of cases that circuit judges deal with, specializing in civil trial practice, but also, "I've done criminal work, I've done juvenile work, I've done a little probate." | How has your legal experience prepared you for the circuit judge position? | She says that in her legal work as an assistant state attorney, she has done work that's quite similar to judicial work, such as handling busy calendars of 50 to 80 cases, preparing written orders for judges and making decisions based on the credibility of witnesses — usually on deadline. |
| House, retirement and investment accounts. | Assets | Car, retirement and savings accounts |
| Mortgage | Liabilities | Car loan, loan |
| Judicial salary | Income | Salary as assistant state attorney |
| Married, with four grown children in a blended family. Enjoys playing guitar, swimming laps, reading and travel. | Personal | Single. Enjoys spending time with nearby family, reading, old movies, buying and sending unusual greeting cards. |
| dayincourt.us | Website | agnesmccabe4judge.com |
| Through the website | Through the website |
Loading...