Press Release
Harrison Wesley Poole
Candidate for Nassau County
Court Judge
Group 1
June 27, 2019 9:56 a.m.
On Tuesday, June 18, 2019, I filed paperwork with the Supervisor of Elections to formally begin my campaign for election as County Court Judge for Nassau County for the 2020 General Election. The position is presently held by the Honorable Wesley R. Poole, my father, who plans to retire at the end of his term.
Why I am Running:
As a fourth generation resident of Nassau County, this is my home and my wife and I are raising our two young boys here. I feel a strong calling to serve our community and ensure that it remains the safe place we love and that justice is served to all with fairness, compassion, and equality. My legal career has exposed me to virtually all of the types of cases that are handled by the County Court, and my prior experience as both a State prosecutor and criminal defense attorney will allow me to bring a unique and balanced perspective to the bench. I verily believe that every person that appears in court, whether as party or an attorney, deserves to be treated with respect and dignity, and that respect must be demanded from all of those appearing in court. I often reflect on the Oath I took the day I was admitted to the Florida Bar, and my vow to employ “such means only as are consistent with truth and honor.” I have the knowledge, experience, and skills to handle all of the duties of the County Court Judge, and am eligible to serve on the bench for the next thirty-plus years, lending stability and continuity to the position.
My Background:
A fourth generation resident of Nassau County, I was raised in Fernandina Beach. I am happily married (Debra) with two sons aged five and two (Hudson and Cameron) that are fifth generation residents of Nassau County. I graduated from Fernandina Beach High School, where I was an Honors student and a member of the National Honors Society and Varsity Golf Team. I attended Florida State University for my undergraduate studies and received a Bachelor of Science in Business Management, and was the recipient of the Florida Bright Futures, Florida State University, and Nassau County Teen Court scholarships, and was a multiple time Dean’s List member and a member in the National Society of Collegiate Scholars.
I received my Juris Doctorate from the Florida State University College of Law. During law school, I studied a semester abroad at Oxford University, was an Associate Justice on the Florida State University’s Student Supreme Court, and spent a semester as a certified legal intern with the State Attorney’s Office in Tallahassee, Florida, where I personally tried four jury DUI trials as a student intern.
Upon graduating law school, I worked as an Assistant State Attorney in Florida’s Second Judicial Circuit. Initially assigned to the criminal traffic division in Tallahassee, Florida, I handled thousands of misdemeanor traffic cases ranging from hit and runs to DUIs. After about a year as a misdemeanor prosecutor, I was promoted and assigned a felony caseload in Quincy, Florida, where I handled hundreds of felony cases ranging from drug possession to second degree murder. My jury trial experience as a prosecutor includes cases involving Second Degree Murder, DUI, Battery on a Law Enforcement Officer, Armed Burglary, Aggravated Battery, and Failure to Register as Sex Offender. I was personally responsible for taking over twenty cases to a jury trial during my time as a prosecutor.
In 2009, I returned to Nassau County to join the family practice, Poole & Poole, P.A. Since that time, I have enjoyed working as a general practitioner and have assisted clients in the areas of civil litigation, estate planning and probate, business transactions, contracts, criminal defense, appeals, administrative hearings, mediation and arbitration, land use planning, real estate transactions, condominium and homeowners issues, evictions, and much more.
Giving back to the community has always been a major focus for me. I served on the
Board of Directors for the Nassau County Volunteer Center for nearly nine years, including two stints as its President. I also served on the Management Team for the Katie Ride for Life. I have volunteered as a coach for Nassau County Teen Court Mock Trial Competition Team. I am currently on the Board of Directors for the Trinity Love Hoblit Foundation and the Jacksonville Area Legal Aid. I am also a member of the Advisory Council for the Katie Caples Foundation. Starting in 2010, I began filling in as Judge for the Nassau County Teen Court, a diversionary program for teens that is near and dear to me. I took over full-time responsibility as Teen Court Judge in 2018. I have also coached youth soccer. As an attorney, I have provided pro bono services to needy individuals and have assisted several local, non-profit organizations at no cost, including the Shrimp Festival Committee, Elm Street Sportsmen Association and Trinity Love Hoblit Foundation.
I would be honored to have your vote and to serve our great community as its next County Court Judge.