Candidate Profile: Cherish Adams

One can always spot Judge Cherish Adams at an event — she’ll be the one wearing green. But while Adams, 40, may show up in a green suit or dress, she’s no green jurist. Appointed by Gov. Ron DeSantis to the Orange County Court, Adams has spent the past three years serving out the term for Judge Elizabeth Joy Gibson who was promoted to the Ninth Circuit Court. Now the Orlando judge is seeking a term of her own. 

Adams told VoxPopuli recently that people coming into court “want a judge who's actually going to listen to them, and they deserve to be seen. They deserve to not feel like a case number when they walk in there or like just a docket item, to have somebody who really understands the decision that is rendered in there has actual, practical consequences for the person in front of them … That is something that I am very aware of when I'm in that courtroom.”

Adams is being challenged in the Aug. 18 nonpartisan election for Group 17 on the Orange County Court by longtime assistant public defender Joy Goodyear. 

County Court is often referred to as “the people’s court,” which holds limited jurisdiction over traffic offenses, landlord-tenant disputes, small claims cases up to $8,000, misdemeanor criminal matters, violations of municipal and county ordinances and monetary disputes up to $50,000. Orange County Court judges serve six-year terms and earn $189,755 annually.

Adams has clerked with now retired Chief Judge Kerry Evander on the Fifth District Court of Appeal and worked as an assistant state attorney in both the Ninth and Fifth Circuits states attorneys offices. 

On the bench Adams has worked in the civil division, presiding over small claims, civil lawsuits and landlord-tenant disputes, evictions and warrant signing. She has also assisted in the circuit criminal division. 

Adams said voters know exactly the type of judge she is, her courtroom demeanor, the way she treats everyone who comes before her.  

“I’ve been serving since 2023, and I have proven to them who I am as a judge — that I am somebody who is fair; somebody who has the knowledge and experience to do this job well; and somebody who always treats people in my courtroom with dignity and respect.

“I've so much enjoyed being able to serve my community in this way. I think it's an excellent use of my experience and my abilities in the courtroom to be on the bench, and I would love to keep serving my community as a county judge.”

Here, Adams answers questions from the News Collaborative of Central Florida.

What professional experiences have best prepared you for the bench?

I have had the honor of serving as an Orange County Judge since 2023.  During that time I have presided over both civil and criminal dockets.  Prior to becoming a judge, I clerked for Judge Kerry I Evander at the Fifth District Court of Appeal, which was the appellate court for Orange County at that time.  I then served as a prosecutor for over 10 years, 8 of which were here in Orange County.  As an Orange County prosecutor I represented our community in court on cases involving violent crimes, child sexual abuse, and homicides.  Having practiced and served as a judge in Orange County, I am familiar with the unique needs and challenges facing the Orange County court and community.

As a County Judge I was first assigned to a civil docket, where I presided over cases involving damages of $50,000 or less, evictions, and small claims.  After serving as a county judge for one year the chief judge asked me to assist with circuit criminal, where I handled all of the pretrial detention hearings, civil commitment of sexually violent predators, and covered trials including homicide and sex crimes cases for over a year.  I am now back on a civil docket and proudly serving our community.  With over 80 jury trials under my belt (67 as a prosecutor and 17 as a judge) and countless bench trials and evidentiary hearings, I have shown that I have the knowledge, experience, and temperament this community needs in a trial judge.  Every person who comes to my courtroom is given a fair opportunity to be heard and treated with dignity and respect.

What role should personal values play in judicial decision-making?

Our judicial system should be a place where everybody has equal justice under the law.  A judge’s personal values such as respect for others, integrity, and fairness should always be involved in the decision-making process.  However, a judge’s political ideology or desire for a particular outcome should never be a consideration.  Judicial decisions must be based on a fair evaluation of the evidence presented to the court, the arguments of the parties, and a faithful application of the law.

How do you balance precedent with evolving social standards?

A trial judge is bound to follow judicial precedent that is controlling for the case, but the judge can note in the ruling that the decision was reached solely due to the court’s obligation to follow controlling precedent and suggest that the appellate court consider changing that precedent.  

What steps do you take to avoid conflicts of interest?

A judge must carefully adhere to the guidelines in the Judicial Canons.  For each case, I consider whether I have a conflict with any of the parties or attorneys, err on the side of disclosing any potential conflict even if I don’t think it truly is a conflict, and disqualify myself from any case in which my impartiality might be questioned in any way.

I am careful to avoid creating conflicts of interest by carefully governing my activities inside and outside of the courtroom so as not to create any appearance of impropriety or partiality. I carefully adhere to the guidelines in the Judicial Canons, do not participate in any political group or events, and am careful to avoid even the appearance of a conflict.  I also govern my words and actions in court carefully, ensuring that both parties and attorneys are treated fairly and equally.

What barriers to justice do you see in the current system, and how would you address them?

Access to legal representation and access to the courthouse have been significant barriers to justice for many individuals in Orange County.  In county court in particular many litigants are representing themselves and are unfamiliar with the judicial process.  I cannot give anyone legal advice, but I often inform individuals about the Self Help Center at the courthouse which can help them obtain the legal assistance they need. At the beginning of every hearing with a self-represented litigant I explain in non-legal terms what the hearing is about and what the process will be.  At the end I also explain why I am ruling a particular way so that even if the litigant did not win their case, they still feel heard, respected, and that the decision was fair. Additionally, I understand that getting to the courthouse can be challenging to many individuals, so I offer virtual hearings for non-evidentiary hearings to increase access to the courts.

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