Herald endorsement: Our pick for Miami-Dade’s Circuit Court judge Group 69 | Opinion
Three candidates are running for judge in Group 69 of Miami-Dade’s 11th Judicial Circuit Court: Rita Maria Baez, Yaneth Del Carmen Baez and Bonita Jones-Peabody.
All three are experienced lawyers who have spent a lot of time in courtrooms. Our choice in the Aug. 18 primary is Yaneth Del Carmen Baez, a prosecutor in the Miami-Dade State Attorney’s Office.
Baez, 39, has practiced law for less time than her opponents, but the intensity of the nine years she’s been an assistant state attorney has prepared her for the high-stakes job of being a judge. Circuit court judges rotate through the divisions and may preside over criminal cases — including death penalty ones — as well as civil lawsuits and disputes over $50,000, juvenile delinquency and dependency, probate, divorces and other family law cases. Trial experience is important for candidates, along with a desire for public service.
Baez is used to handling a high volume of cases, which would help her address the backlog judges often face. She said she has tried 34 cases to verdict before a jury, as well as four bench trials, in which the judge acts as the jury.
She’s currently in the human trafficking unit at the state attorney’s office, where she prosecutes the trafficking of minors, with victims as young as 9. As part of her job, she speaks to community groups and educates them about human trafficking. She’s also trained over 50 attorneys in her office.
She’s been vetted by the Judicial Nomination Commission, which nominates candidates to the governor to fill judicial vacancies. The JNC nominated her four times but Gov. Ron DeSantis did not pick her, she said, adding the process was “extremely rigorous.”
Her life experience also has prepared her to take the bench. She is the daughter of a welder and a cashier. Her mother is a convicted felon and her sister was the victim of a crime. “Having that perspective from both sides has always allowed me to understand the courtroom,” Baez said.
Baez has displayed grit from an early age. At 19, she sued her landlord and won, she said.
“I want to be a judge because I want to be able to make the courtroom a place that’s accessible for all Miami-Dade County people,” she told the Herald Editorial Board.
The other candidates also have impressive resumes.
Jones-Peabody, 68, is a veteran criminal defense lawyer with a long history of public service. She’s participated in over 200 jury trials and spent decades at the Miami-Dade Public Defender’s Office, where she trained other attorneys. She currently runs her own practice and has also worked on landlord-tenant disputes, foreclosures and adoptions. Jones-Peabody began her civic engagement young, becoming a Model City youth commissioner at age 12 and advocating for the creation of a park.
Most recently, she’s been a defense lawyer in the high profile case of Rashaun Jones, who’s accused of killing his University of Miami football star teammate 20 years ago.
Rita Baez, 61, is a civil attorney who’s practiced for 30 years and runs her own practice, specializing in representing plaintiffs in auto accident and slip-and-fall cases. She said she’s litigated thousands of cases and been in 80 jury trials. She said “always having active litigation and trial practice” have prepared her to be a judge.
Rita Baez and Jones-Peabody ran for circuit court judge in 2024 but lost — we did not endorse either at the time. Both have impressive experience, but another candidate impressed us the most this year.
The Herald endorses YANETH DEL CARMEN BAEZ for Group 69 of the 11th Judicial Circuit Court.
BEHIND THE STORY
MOREWho decides the political endorsements?
In advance of local and state elections, Miami Herald Editorial Board members interview political candidates, as well as advocates and opponents of ballot measures. The Editorial Board is composed of experienced opinion journalists and is independent of the Herald’s newsroom. Members of the Miami Herald Editorial Board are: Amy Driscoll, editorial page editor; and editorial writers Isadora Rangel and Mary Anna Mancuso. Read more by clicking the arrow in the upper right.
What does the endorsement process look like?
The Miami Herald Editorial Board interviews political candidates to better understand their views on public policy and how their policies will affect their constituents. Board members do additional reporting and research to learn as much as possible about the candidates before making an endorsement. The Editorial Board then convenes to discuss the candidates in each race. Board members seek to reach a consensus on the endorsements, but not every decision is unanimous. Candidates who decline to be interviewed will not receive an endorsement.
Is the Editorial Board partisan?
No. In making endorsements, members of the Editorial Board consider which candidates are better prepared to represent their constituents — not whether they agree with our editorial stances or belong to a particular political party. We evaluate candidates’ relevant experience, readiness for office, depth of knowledge of key issues and understanding of public policy. We’re seeking candidates who are thoughtful and who offer more than just party-line talking points.