Three Attorneys Vie for Duval County Judge Seat in Competitive August Primary

Three Jacksonville attorneys with deep roots in criminal justice, civil law, and community service are competing for a vacant Duval County judge seat in the August 18 primary election, setting up the most competitive judicial race in Northeast Florida this cycle. Melina Buncome, Marquita Green, and Octavius Holliday Jr. are vying to replace retiring Judge Mose Floyd on the County Court Group 13 bench.

The winner will join Florida's "people's court" system, handling misdemeanor criminal cases, traffic violations, small-claims civil disputes, and some family and probate matters for a six-year term. If one candidate receives more than 50 percent of the vote in the August primary, the race will not advance to the general election and that attorney will begin their term immediately.

What's happening

Judge Mose Floyd is retiring from the County Court Group 13 seat, one of two open Duval County court positions this election cycle. County Court Group 1 Judge Scott Mitchell is also retiring, with two attorneys competing to replace him. Three other sitting county judges — in Groups 6, 14, and 16 — are running for reelection unopposed.

County courts in Florida are limited-jurisdiction trial courts that serve as the entry point for most residents' interactions with the justice system. These courts handle misdemeanor criminal cases, civil contract disputes up to certain dollar limits, traffic violations, and some family and probate matters. County court judges in the Fourth Judicial Circuit, which covers Duval, Clay, and Nassau counties, serve six-year terms.

Melina Buncome has worked as a public defender since 1997 and currently directs the Problem Solving Courts in the Fourth Judicial Circuit. In that role, she oversees specialty court dockets for mental health, veterans treatment, and adult drug cases across Duval, Clay, and Nassau counties. She has handled cases ranging from homicide to misdemeanor juvenile matters, previously maintained a private civil practice, and won the Florida Bar President's Pro Bono Service Award.

Marquita Green currently serves as interim director of pro bono services and FLARE (Family Law Assistance at Reduced Expense) at Jacksonville Area Legal Aid. She founded the FLARE program in 2018 before spending nearly five years as a general magistrate, a quasi-judicial position in which she conducted hearings, made determinations, and wrote reports and recommendations for county court judges. She returned to Jacksonville Area Legal Aid after her magistrate service.

Octavius Holliday Jr. is the director of the human rights division at the State Attorney's Office under Melissa Nelson. His current caseload focuses on elder abuse and exploitation, and he serves on grand jury and officer-involved shooting review panels. His legal background spans prosecution, criminal defense, family law, and civil practice, and he has maintained a private practice. He is active with 100 Black Men of America and serves as president of the local Theta Phi chapter of Omega Psi Phi fraternity.

What it means for the legal system

County court judges make daily decisions that directly affect thousands of Duval County residents each year, from adjudicating landlord-tenant disputes and small-claims cases to sentencing in misdemeanor criminal matters and resolving traffic violations. Unlike higher-level circuit courts that handle felonies and larger civil cases, county courts are often the only point of contact most people have with the judiciary.

The philosophical approach a county court judge takes to sentencing, case management, and courtroom procedure can have measurable effects on outcomes. Buncome emphasized her focus on addressing underlying issues such as mental health and substance abuse that bring people into the system, noting that "we can reduce recidivism as well as save our community money." This suggests an orientation toward problem-solving courts and diversion programs, which are designed to interrupt cycles of low-level offending by connecting defendants with treatment and services rather than incarceration alone.

Green's background as a magistrate gives her direct experience with the procedural and administrative demands of the bench. Magistrates in Florida courts conduct evidentiary hearings and draft recommended orders for judges to review and adopt, reject, or modify. "I know exactly what to expect going into the county court bench," Green said, framing her magistrate role as preparation for judicial decision-making. Candidates with quasi-judicial experience bring familiarity with courtroom management, evidence rules, and the volume and pace of a county court docket.

Holliday emphasized the value of having practiced on both sides of criminal cases. "There's no shortcut to experience," he said, noting that his work as both prosecutor and defense attorney provides perspective on how cases appear from each side of the aisle. Judges who have represented both the state and defendants often cite that dual experience as informing more balanced decision-making, particularly in evaluating charging decisions, plea offers, and sentencing recommendations.

What it means for Jacksonville residents

For residents navigating the legal system, the identity and experience of county court judges can affect how accessible and responsive the courts feel. County courts handle the disputes and violations most people are likely to encounter: a fender-bender, a landlord withholding a security deposit, a citation for a noise ordinance violation, a misdemeanor shoplifting charge. The judge's temperament, willingness to explain process to self-represented litigants, and familiarity with community resources all shape whether the experience feels fair and comprehensible.

Jacksonville Area Legal Aid and the FLARE program Green founded serve low- and moderate-income residents who cannot afford full private representation in family law cases such as divorce, custody, and domestic violence protective orders. Green's five years as a magistrate were spent largely in these areas, hearing testimony and making findings in cases where parties were often unrepresented or had limited legal help. A judge with that background may bring particular sensitivity to the challenges self-represented litigants face in navigating court procedures.

The Problem Solving Courts that Buncome oversees represent an alternative path for certain defendants. Mental health court, veterans treatment court, and drug court allow qualifying defendants to participate in supervised treatment and compliance monitoring in lieu of traditional sentencing. Successful completion can result in reduced charges or sentences. These programs require judicial buy-in and active case management; a county judge familiar with their structure and goals may be more likely to refer eligible defendants to them or to establish new diversion pathways.

Holliday's current portfolio includes elder abuse and exploitation cases, an area of growing concern as Florida's senior population expands. These cases, which can involve financial fraud, neglect, or physical harm, often require careful handling of vulnerable witnesses and coordination with social services. Jacksonville, like much of Florida, has a significant and increasing population of retirees and older homeowners; judges who understand the dynamics of elder abuse may be better equipped to evaluate credibility and fashion protective orders or restitution in these cases.

What it means for the legal community

The composition of the county court bench affects how the Fourth Judicial Circuit operates day to day. County court is where new attorneys often cut their teeth, handling their first trials and motion hearings. The judges who preside over these courts set the standard for courtroom decorum, procedural rigor, and professionalism that young lawyers experience.

All three candidates bring significant tenure in Jacksonville's legal community. Buncome's nearly three decades as a public defender mean she has appeared before many of the same judges who would become her colleagues and has worked with generations of prosecutors and defense attorneys. Green's time at Jacksonville Area Legal Aid and as a magistrate connects her to the civil and family law bar. Holliday's roles in prosecution, defense, and private practice, along with his community involvement, give him ties across multiple legal and civic networks.

Judicial elections in Florida are nonpartisan, and county court races typically attract less attention and campaign funding than higher-profile circuit or appellate contests. Voter turnout in judicial primaries tends to be low, and outcomes often hinge on name recognition, professional reputation, and endorsements from bar associations and community groups. Each candidate's professional network and visibility in Jacksonville's legal and civic circles will likely be a factor in the August 18 vote.

The fact that three candidates are competing for this seat while multiple other county judges are running unopposed reflects both the desirability of the position and the availability of qualified candidates willing to seek it. County court judgeships in Florida carry a salary set by state statute and offer stability and influence, but they also require giving up private practice income and navigating the political dynamics of election campaigns.

What happens next

The primary election is August 18, 2026. If one candidate receives more than 50 percent of the vote, that candidate wins outright and the race does not proceed to the general election. The winner would begin a six-year term on the County Court Group 13 bench.

If no candidate clears 50 percent in the primary, the top two vote-getters advance to the general election. Judicial races in Florida are nonpartisan, meaning candidates do not run under party labels and all registered voters in Duval County are eligible to vote in both the primary and any potential general election runoff.

Voters can find sample ballots and polling locations through the Duval County Supervisor of Elections. County court judges' decisions are subject to appeal to the circuit court, and judges themselves are subject to periodic performance evaluations and retention in subsequent elections or appointment processes, depending on whether a seat becomes vacant.

Jacksonville's judiciary is a point of contact between the legal system and the everyday concerns of residents — traffic stops, small claims, misdemeanor charges, family disputes. As the region continues to grow and its population diversifies, the county court bench will handle an increasing and evolving caseload. The outcome of races like this one quietly shapes how justice is administered at the most local level, one docket at a time.