Bonita Jones Peabody is a distinguished trial attorney with over 30 years of legal expertise. Currently, she holds the position of supervising attorney at the Law Offices of Carlos J.
Martinez, Public Defender. For nearly two decades, she has served as an Assistant Public Defender, representing indigent individuals accused of criminal offenses.
Her profound knowledge and experience have earned her the respect of clients, opposing counsel, and judges alike. Bonita is known for her zealous advocacy, keen understanding of litigation nuances, and commitment to fairness.
In her supervisory role, Bonita mentors young attorneys at the beginning of their careers. She is highly regarded as a dedicated teacher, as evidenced by one of her mentees who remarked, “Bonita Jones-Peabody is an excellent teacher, who is dedicated to bringing out the best in us.” This dedication to excellence motivates her decision to run for Circuit Court judge in Miami-Dade County.
Bonita has tried hundreds of cases and represented thousands of litigants across various courts, including criminal, civil, family, county, and juvenile courts. Her extensive experience includes serving as Assistant General Counsel for the Eleventh Judicial Circuit for three years, where she authored opinions for judges in complex cases involving multiple areas of law.
A Miami Dade native, Bonita is actively involved in her community. She serves as the parliamentarian for the Brownsville Civic Neighborhood Association and is a board member of the Virginia Key Beach Park Trust.
She founded Education Means More Access (E.M.M.A.), a program for teen mothers, and is the immediate past moderator for the Church of the Open Door. Additionally, she has contributed to local media as the Managing Editor of the Miami Times and a talk show host for WEDR 99 Jamz.
Bonita is a member of several professional organizations, including the Wilkie D. Ferguson, Jr., Bar Association, the Gwen S.
Cherry Black Women Lawyers Association, and the Florida Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers. She is committed to advancing the legal profession through her involvement in various committees of The Florida Bar, such as the Legal Needs of Children Committee, Diversity and Inclusion Committee, and Criminal Procedure Rules Committee.
Ms. Jones-Peabody is an alumna of the University of Miami School of Law, the University of Florida College of Journalism, and Miami Edison Senior High School.
Her motto, "Putting People First, Upholding Justice," reflects her dedication to her profession and her community.
Bonita Jones Peabody is known for being fair, committed to justice, qualified, and experienced. These qualities define her professional and personal endeavors, making her a respected figure in the legal community.