TBO.com - Tampa Bay Online

TBO > News

Hawkins: Life Experience, Determination Invaluable

By KYLE MARTIN

Hernando Today

Published: August 15, 2008

Sandy Hawkins says she has grit.

To back up her claim, Hawkins points to the past 19 years she has spent as a single mother and the long hours working two jobs while attending college and law school full time.

She plans to bring those life experiences and determination to the courtroom if elected to the empty circuit judge's seat in the Inverness-based Fifth Circuit's Group 3.

Hawkins, 53, also offers 11 years of experience as a state prosecutor in Marion County, with seven years on felony cases and four years prosecuting domestic violence cases.

Her legal resume also includes hearings for involuntary commitments under the Baker Act, civil police forfeiture cases and jury and nonjury trials.

Hawkins says her perspective as a mom in invaluable, too. She's mediated countless arguments between her sons and has practice judging both sides of the argument.

In 2006, Hawkins lost a bid for a newly created judgeship in Marion County to Edward Scott in a three-way race that included local prosecutor Peyton Hyslop. In a recent interview, Hawkins said she won the votes in Hernando and Sumter counties, but campaigning was tough as a "one-man team."

She's confident that this new race will turn out in her favor.

"I've got the experience," she said.
Sandy Hawkins
Age: 53

Divorced

Religion: Christian

Last Book Read: "A Voice For Agriculture", a biography of her father, Walter Kautz, past president of the Florida Farm Bureau.

Most Admired: Retired Circuit Judge William Swigert

Reporter Kyle Martin can be reached at 352-544-5271 or kmartin@hernandotoday.com.

Share this: