This story was produced in partnership with nonpartisan news organizations and universities across the state working to provide information about the 2026 elections. Learn more about the Florida Elections Reporting Partnership at floridaelections.org.

Two candidates have moved past the primary election in August for Miami-Dade Circuit Court Judge Group 5, and are awaiting the decision with the approaching general election on Nov. 3. 

A circuit judge is an official who presides over cases in a geographically defined area. These judges handle criminal felonies, juvenile delinquency and dependency, divorce, probate, guardianship, and civil matters over $50,000 according to Florida Courts.   

Arthur “Marty” McNeil and Monica Segura received the highest number of votes, beating Alex Annunziato in the primary election. Both McNeil and Segura are first-time candidates with substantial law experience but no judicial experience. 

Neither candidate responded to multiple interview requests from The Florida Trib. 

The candidates

McNeil grew up in North Carolina before moving to Miami when he began his career at the Miami Dade Public Defender’s Office, according to his campaign website. McNeil is a Capital Litigation Unit Attorney, but was previously a Senior Supervising Attorney.

In his undergraduate years, he attended UNC Pembroke and graduated with a B.A in History. McNeil also graduated from the Howard University School of Law, and served with Howard’s Public Interest Law Society, the Christian Legal Society, and was a Student Attorney in the Criminal Justice Clinic. 

According to the Judicial Voluntary Self Disclosure Statement Form, McNeil has participated in 56 jury trials, 9 bench trials, and has spent the past 10 years exclusively as an ssistant public defender. 

“Throughout my career I have practiced law with civility and respect for opposing counsels and litigants. While trial practice is adversarial, the legal system relies upon the attorneys not becoming adversaries. I have built my reputation daily in court zealously advocating for my clients, while respecting the process and opposing counsel,” McNeil wrote in the form. 

In an August podcast episode with the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People, McNeil highlighted his core principles and describes the role of a judge as a “steward of justice.” 

“We’re not here to dispense from our own purview or our own wealth of knowledge. We are public servants, we are here to do the public work. That’s a very important thing because you know they say, if you want to see someone’s true nature give them power,” McNeil said. “I’m proven because I’ve been a litigator, I’ve tried a number of cases, from simple misdemeanors all the way to very complicated life felonies.” 

In the primary elections, McNeil received a majority of the votes in the primary election, with a total of 95,063 according to the Florida Division of Elections. A week after primary elections, McNeil released a statement on his website, “Thank you Miami Dade from my family to yours! You went to the Polls and let your voice be heard. We are looking forward to continuing the race through the November 3rd General Election!”

The Miami Herald editorial board endorsed McNeil in July saying, “Our choice is McNeil, 46, based on his experience and demeanor.” The Herald doubled down following the August primary. “We picked McNeil in the August nonpartisan primary, and he’s our choice again in the general election.”

Other than that, McNeil has been endorsed by the Miami Beach Democratic Club, the Florida League of Prosecutors, and the SAVE Action PAC. 

Miami-native, Monica Segura, graduated from the University of Miami in 2002 with a Bachelor of Science in Communication. She also graduated from the University of Miami School of Law in 2005, according to the Judicial Voluntary Self Disclosure Statement Form. 

Segura has practiced civil law for over 20 years, specifically in insurance defense, and has been in over 201 administrative hearings where she’s either participated as legal counsel or as a hearing officer. 

Additionally, Segura was the Special Magistrate for the town of Miami Lakes, an adjunct professor at St. Thomas College of Law, and a leader within the legal community, according to the campaign video on Segura’s website. 

“My prior experience as a Special Master/Magistrate for the Town of Miami Lakes for almost four years would definitely assist me in holding office. This experience sets me apart from others,” Segura wrote in the self-disclosure statement. “My twenty years of experience as a defense lawyer, dedication to different bar organizations, and my contributions of maintaining a successful career while balancing the responsibilities of a partner then supervisor at a major corporation including that of mentoring young lawyers and staff would translate very well to that of holding judicial office.”

Segura is or was also part of 15 different public service groups, according to the self- disclosure statement form, including The Florida Association for Women Lawyers, Cuban American Bar Association, The Federalist Society, and the University of Miami Moot Court. 

Segura has also received support from local businesses like the Hassan Law Group and Hernandez Legal Group on social media. In July, the HLG posted on Instagram: “As you know, our dear friend Monica Segura is running for judge in an open seat for Miami Dade County…Please vote for her as absentee ballots begin to come out.”

Voters will decide between Arthur McNeil and Monica Segura on Nov. 3 in the general election.