Two Pinellas-Pasco Circuit judges and a Pinellas County judge are facing challengers in the Aug. 23 primary.

Additionally, three attorneys are vying for an open seat on the bench in county court.

County judges handle cases such as misdemeanors, ordinance and traffic violations and civil matters of $15,000 or less. Circuit judges oversee criminal and civil matters not handled by county courts. The majority of jury trials take place in circuit court.

Attorney Nick Fiorentino, 43, is challenging incumbent Cynthia Newton, 55, in the 6th Judicial Circuit, Group 22 race.

Fiorentino is a partner at Ciarciaglino, Gell & Fiorentino, P.A. and represents members of two police unions. He also handles cases in family and criminal law, personal injury and probate/estates and has been an attorney for 19 years.

“In the last few years, it’s something that I felt that I was qualified for based on my legal experience and my life experience,” Fiorentino said, adding that he had waited to run until his children were older.

Newton was elected to the bench in 2004. She currently serves in the civil division, but has also worked in the criminal and family divisions. Newton pointed to her experience handling jury trials, both as a judge and previously an assistant public defender, as proof of her qualifications for the position. According to her Florida Bar voluntary disclosure statement, she has presided over more than 100 jury trials.

“There’s not one thing you can do as a lawyer as a...

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