Q&A: Nancy Jacobs, Candidate for County Court Judge

She loves baking, reading and going out to dinner with friends.

She's also served as a prosecutor for the state attorney's office and runs a private practice in Carrollwood.

Now, Nancy Jacobs hopes to add something else to her list of accomplishments: earning a seat as Hillsborough County Court judge, Group 12.

Jacobs, who is divorced with three kids, recently talked to Patch about what she hopes to accomplish if elected and why she thinks voters should support her on Aug. 14.

Patch: Why did you decide to run?

Jacobs: I was a child when I decided I wanted to go to law school. I liked "Perry Mason" on TV, and knew that was what I wanted to do. Once that evolved, I felt like the time was right for me now to run. I always had little kids, a husband. Now everybody is doing what they need to do. The reason I wanted to be a judge is the community needs to have judges on the bench who can understand and empathize and relate to the people and apply the rule of law. Judges need to be able to not just talk the talk, but walk the walk.

Patch: What do you think you'll bring to the table that other candidates won't?

Jacobs: In the last couple years, I've had some challenging situations. I am able to be objective and see what's going on out there and understand people, not just the issues. As far as county court goes, county court is the peoples court. For every person who walks in, it’s a major case because it's theirs, and it will change their life somehow. I can understand that and bring empathy.  I hold knowledge and the life experience (required) to be able to listen to cases.

Patch: What do you think residents of Carrollwood and Hillsborough County need in a judge?

Jacobs: They need a person who is knowledgable about the law, honest, who has integrity, and who has an understanding of the community as a whole who understands people and their real life problems. Also, who is able to be a good steward of their tax dollars. There's nothing worse than coming back and having a case reset with no finality to the case in your life.

Patch: What goals do you hope to accomplish if you're elected?

Jacobs: To be able to bring dignity to the court and fairness to the people who came before the court. That I did my best and that I tried to reach the right result that’s fair to the community.

Patch: What's something you want voters to know about you?

Jacobs: The August election is very important. I want their vote, and will work hard for their vote, and look forward to meeting them around town and seeing them and shaking their hands. Voters have a right to decide who their elected officials, including judges, should be. That’s another reason I am running. I believe that the Hillsborough county court seat belongs to the citizens of Hillsborough County, not to the person who sits in the seat.

For more information on Jacobs, go to her website, http://nancyjacobsforjudge.com/.