Clay County Sheriff latest to back Ashley Moody for AG

Ashley Moody received yet another Florida Sheriff’s endorsement in her bid for attorney general, this time from Clay County Sheriff Darryl Daniels.

“Our community cannot play politics with public safety. We need an attorney general who doesn’t need to learn the job on the job. Ashley Moody is the only candidate who has a proven track record of putting criminals behind bars. She is an experienced leader in criminal justice and I’m proud to endorse her for attorney general,” Daniels said in a statement Monday.

“Sheriff Daniels has a clear vision for his Sheriff’s Office and a laser focus on crime reduction and community engagement. He is highly respected by both his deputies and the residents of Clay County. I’m humbled and honored to have him join our team,” Moody said.

Moody, a fifth-generation Floridian and Hillsborough County native, earned a bachelor’s and master’s degrees in accounting and juris doctor from the University of Florida. She later attended Stetson University College of Law earning a Masters of Law in international law.

Moody began her legal career with the law firm of Holland & Knight, during which she was recognized as one of Tampa Bay’s “40 under 40” distinguished lawyers.  She later joined the United States Attorney’s Office prosecuting drug, firearm, and fraud offenses and was commended by the DEA for prosecutorial excellence and outstanding initiative in drug law enforcement. The Florida Department of Law Enforcement recognized Moody for her lead of “Operation Round-Up,” prosecuting violent and repeat offenders.

In 2006, at the age of 31, Moody became the youngest judge in Florida when she was elected Circuit Judge of the Thirteenth Judicial Circuit in Hillsborough County.  As a judge, she founded the Attorney Ad Litem program recruiting volunteer attorneys to stand in the place of parents who did not appear in court with their children. She also developed a mentoring program for at-risk children within the juvenile delinquency system. Ashley previously served as the president of two American Inns of Court and chair of both the Pro Bono and Professionalism Committees for Hillsborough County.

Moody served as an adjunct professor at Stetson University College of Law and on the judicial faculty for Florida’s New Judges College, Advanced Judicial Studies and the Circuit Judges Conference. She is a frequent lecturer on crime and justice as well as best practices for Florida attorneys. In 2015, Moody earned recognition by the national Legal Services Corporation for contributions to pro bono legal service and was awarded the Florida Supreme Court’s Distinguished Judicial Service Award.

Moody lives with her husband, Justin, a federal law enforcement agent, in Tampa with their two sons, Brandon and Connor.