For Palm Beach Court Group 4, Fung gets our nod

In the Palm Beach County Judge Group 4 race, primary election voters had the happy choice of three strong candidates. Two remain for the general election on Nov. 6.

Those would be Allegra Fung, a solo practitioner, and Ashley Zuckerman, a public defender. For the primary, we endorsed Lloyd Comiter, who finished third. Our choice now is Fung.

It’s not an easy one. At 34, Zuckerman is a supervisor at the public defender’s office. Fung was a public defender before leaving “to work for insurance” companies and then starting her civil practice, which specializes in foreclosure defense. Fung noted during her interview with the Sun Sentinel Editorial Board that she is the only candidate with criminal and civil law experience.

Both are running for the first time. Neither has been recommended as a finalist by the judicial nominating commission, which screens applicants for judgeships that the governor fills. Fung applied twice and wasn’t picked. “Rightly so,” she says. “I wasn’t ready.” Zuckerman says, “Judges should be elected.”

Both candidates are mostly self-financed. Fung has loaned her campaign $100,000 and raised about $14,000. Zuckerman has loaned herself $20,000 and raised roughly $25,000. Because county court judges handle misdemeanors and lawsuits under $15,000, these races usually don’t draw the level of contributions from large law firms as elections for the circuit court.

Still, county court is where most average folks – as opposed to corporations – wind up when they enter the system. County court handles DUIs and driving under suspension – the most common criminal traffic infractions – domestic battery and many disputes over child custody and alimony. Judges need to be efficient, so they can keep large dockets moving, and understanding. Many county court litigants represent themselves.

Both Fung and Zuckerman seem to understand the need for even temperament on the bench. We believe that either candidate would serve well, but we give Fung a slight edge because of that added experience. The Sun Sentinel recommends Allegra Fung for Palm Beach County Court Group 4.

Editorials are the opinion of the Sun Sentinel Editorial Board and written by one of its members or a designee. The Editorial Board consists of Editorial Page Editor Rosemary O'Hara, Andy Reid and Editor-in-Chief Julie Anderson.