FLORIDA BAR JUDICIAL CANDIDATE VOLUNTARY SELF-DISCLOSURE STATEMENT

FLORIDA BAR JUDICIAL CANDIDATE PLEASE BEAR IN MIND YOUR OBLIGATIONS UNDER JUDICIAL CANON NO.7 IN PROVIDING ANSWERS TO THIS QUESTIONNAIRE. THE FLORIDA BAR DOES NOT ASSUME ANY RESPONSIBILITY FOR YOUR ANSWERS NOR WILL THE BAR EDIT YOUR ANSWERS TO COMPORT WITH THE CANONS. Christopher Pracitto Name: June 24, 2018 Date disclosure statement completed: Miami-Dade County Court Judge, Group 32 Judicial position sought: Miami-Dade County Jurisdiction: Jurisdiction(s) in which admitted to practice law: Jurisdiction Date Admitted State of Florida October 1995 Washington, DC October 1995 Florida Bar No. 067131 Years admitted to practice law: Years in the legal profession: 23 years 23 years Personal Statement: In 100 words or less, without discussing any particular issue that may come before you as a judge, explain why you believe you would be a good judge: I will be a good County Court Judge because I have the 3 most important qualities a good judge needs. The first quality is fundamental fairness. I treat everyone I meet with dignity and respect, no matter their race, color or background. This is the most important characteristic a judge must possess. The litigants must feel they will receive a fair and impartial hearing of their case, and I can guarantee they will get that from me. Second, I have the essential experience practicing in this division. For example, there is a vast difference practicing in federal or other courts, as compared to county court; different laws, rules of evidence, jury selection, etc. I have been practicing in this County Court for 23 years, handling every type of case you can imagine. I have actually tried each type of case that can occur in county court. I know the rules of evidence, jury selection, motions and much more. I know the nuances of dealing with the Department of Corrections, the Clerks, Probation office, Mental Health, Domestic Violence division and much more. How can you be a judge and lead a court, when you have never tried a case in that court? The third quality I have is compassion. County court is truly the "people's court;" that means there are many litigants appearing in court who have never been to court before, and many do not have a lawyer. A good judge must understand this is the most important day in their life, and must take the time to explain the possibilities and options. I have volunteered in many different communities and schools within Miami-Dade County, and I am deeply connected with the people in the community. These three characteristics make me the best candidate for County Court Judge. 1

Prior Candidacy in Judicial Election(s): If you have run in an election for judicial office before, please list the court, relevant date(s) and position: Court Relevant Dates Position Prior and/or Current Judicial Experience: If you have held judicial office, please state the Courts involved, the dates of service, and the office: Court Relevant Dates Office Number of evidentiary hearings, trials and/or oral arguments over which you have presided: 0-5 6-15 16-30 31-50 51-100 101-200 201+ Please provide the number of jury trials and the number of bench trials over which you have presided. Current judges may respond to the following questions regarding legal practice only with reference to pre-judicial legal experience. Area(s) of practice: Civil Criminal Government Other Juvenile, Unified Family Court, PIP, Domestic Violence, Traffic, Del 2

Please list the primary areas in which you have specialized or have legal expertise and allocate a percentage of your practice to each area. Number of evidentiary hearings, trials and/or oral arguments in which you have participated as legal counsel: 0-5 6-15 16-30 31-50 51-100 101-200 201+ In addition to the Jury and Non-Jury trials I participate in, I also handle a vast assortment of evidentiary hearings on a weekly/daily basis; ranging from Domestic Violence injunctions, pre-trial motions, Discovery Motions, Contempt Hearings, Child Custody, Visitation and Support hearings. Please provide the number of jury trials 50+ and the number of bench trials 50+ in which you have participated. I have always felt it is impossible to be a judge in a division if you have not practiced in that division. A judge is the leader of the court room and is looked to for guidance, knowledge and final decisions. If you have not practiced in that division and tried cases in that division, how can you lead that division? There is no substitute for experience. Number of arbitration hearings in which you have participated as legal counsel or hearing officer: 0-5 6-15 16-30 31-50 51-100 101-200 201+ Number of administrative hearings in which you have participated as legal counsel or hearing officer: 0-5 6-15 16-30 31-50 51-100 101-200 201+ To the extent applicable, please quantify any additional alternative dispute resolution/negotiation experience: Half of my practice is in domestic violence and family court. In almost every one of my family law cases, I attend a mediation to attempt to resolve all outstanding matters; all forms of finances, property distribution, child custody, visitation, and child support, are negotiated there. That experience amounts to hundreds of mediation sessions, and thousands of hours of alternative dispute resolution and negotiation experience. 3

Have you ever been Board Certified in any area(s) of practice? If yes, please identify: The area(s) of practice: When you were certified in each area of practice: Whether you are currently certified in those areas: Please provide the percentage of your practice that has involved representing plaintiffs % and the percentage that has involved representing defendants %. Undergraduate Education: Name of institution: University of Florida Degree received/major: Bachelor of Arts: English 1991 Academic awards, recognitions, honors, leadership roles and participation in academic organizations: Dean's List 4

Law School Education: Name of institution: Degree received: University of Miami Juris Doctor 1995 Internships/in-school clerkships, academic awards, recognitions, honors, leadership roles and participation in academic organizations (e.g., law review, moot court, legal clinics): 2 year Internship: Dade County Public Defender handling all aspects of criminal representation. (Motions, Depositions, Trials, Jury Number of hours devoted to public work while in undergraduate or law school. 200+ Additional Educational History (if applicable): Name of Institution Degree Received Special awards, recognitions, honors, or leadership roles (if any) Employment: Present employer: The Law Office of Christopher Pracitto, P.A. Number of years with present employer: 18+ Present position: Trial Attorney Explain relevant experience or skills gained that you will bring to the bench: I have spent my entire 23 year career as a trial attorney practicing in the County Court. This is the same court in which I am a candidate. I know this Court from every aspect. I have actual trial experience with each type of case that is heard in this division. In addition to that, I know the intricacies of dealing with the Department of Correction, Mental Health Divisions, Social Services, the "Advocate", Pre-Trial Services, etc. There is no substitute for Experience. 5

List All Prior Employers and Occupations, Legal or Non-legal, for the Last Ten Years: Employer: The Law Office of Christopher Pracitto, P.A. Number of years employed with this employer: 18+ Position/specialty: Trial Attorney Explain relevant experience or skills gained that you will bring to the bench: I have spent my entire 23 year career as a trial attorney practicing in the County Court. This is the same court in which I am a candidate. I know this Court from every aspect. I have actual trial experience with each type of case that is heard in this division. In addition to that, I know the intricacies of dealing with the Department of Correction, Mental Health Divisions, Social Services, the "Advocate", Pre-Trial Services, etc. There is no substitute for 23 years of experience. Employer: Number of years employed with this employer: Position/specialty: Explain relevant experience or skills gained that you will bring to the bench: Employer: Number of years employed with this employer: Position/specialty: Explain relevant experience or skills gained that you will bring to the bench: 6

Law Organizations: Please list legal organizations in which you have been an active member for more than two years and all legal organizations in which you hold a leadership position or which required nomination to join: Organization Name Dates of Participation Office Held (If applicable) Honors and Publications: Please list relevant published articles or books that you have authored, speeches or lectures you have given, and honors, prizes or awards you have received: Title Date Additional Information 7

Public Service Pro Bono, Volunteer Work or Military Service: Please provide the dates, activities and any special accomplishments, honors or leadership roles you have played in volunteer, public or military service organizations or in providing pro bono, volunteer, public or military service: Health: Do you currently suffer from or have you suffered from any of the following ailments in the last three years: Dependence on narcotics, drugs or intoxicating beverages Pathological or compulsive behavior Memory loss or impaired judgment Yes No If yes, please identify the ailment and provide full details, including the relevant dates, including dates of diagnosis, if applicable, the treatment received and any additional relevant information: Discipline: If you have ever been found, either involuntarily or by consent, to have committed a violation of The Florida Bar Disciplinary Rules, the Florida Rules of Judicial Administration or the Florida Code of Judicial Conduct for which the discipline imposed was one of the following: (a) public reprimand; (b) suspension; or (c) disbarment, please provide the following information: Date of charge: Date of disposition: Rule(s) found to have violated: Discipline imposed for rule violation(s): Date reinstated to the Bar or bench: Any conditions imposed for reinstatement (e.g., financial penalty, probation or public service): 8

If you have been found to have committed a violation of the ethical or discipline rules, please explain the circumstances surrounding your discipline: For Current or Former Judges: Has the Florida Supreme Court, or a similar body in another state, ever ruled against you on a Notice of Formal Charges by the Judicial Qualifications Commission? If so, please explain the circumstances surrounding the charges and include a description of any discipline imposed: Military Discharge: If you served in the military and your discharge was anything other than honorable or you received a court martial, please provide that information here: Criminal Convictions: Have you ever been convicted or pled no contest to a crime involving dishonesty or moral turpitude? If so, provide the following information: Date of conviction or plea of no contest: Crime for which you were convicted or pled no contest: Sentence: Any additional conditions imposed: If you have been convicted or pled no contest to a crime involving dishonesty or moral turpitude and would like to explain the circumstances surrounding your criminal conviction, you may do so here: 9

CERTIFICATION I certify that the information given on The Florida Bar Judicial Candidate Voluntary Self-Disclosure Statement is complete, true and correct to the best of my knowledge and belief. 25 June 18 Executed this day of, 20. Name Christopher Pracitto Certification Confirmation (must be checked prior to submission): 10