About Judge Smith

Judge Matt Smith’s experience and judicial temperament have earned him many supporters who want to keep him on the County Court bench. Judge Smith was appointed to the Hillsborough County Court in the Thirteenth Judicial Circuit by the Governor on December 2, 2021, and was commissioned that same month. During the last two-plus years, Judge Smith aptly handled a busy docket, presiding over the Dependency Drug Treatment Court, Title IV Child Support Division, Animal Court, and County Civil Division V, hearing and ruling on over 1,000 cases.

Judge Smith is a veteran of the United States Air Force, having graduated from the United States Air Force Academy in 1997. He was awarded the National Defense Medal, Air Force Outstanding Unit Award, Air Force Organizational Excellence Award and the Air Force Training Ribbon. Judge Smith was medically discharged from the Air Force. Military service runs in Judge Smith’s family. His dad served in the Army for 23 years and his brother served in the Air Force for 24 years.

Judge Smith graduated from the Florida State University College of Law in 2000. Prior to becoming a judge, he spent his legal career in public service as a prosecutor for 21 years. Judge Smith worked at the State Attorney’s Offices in Leon and Hillsborough Counties and for the Florida Attorney General in the Office of Statewide Prosecution. During his tenure as a prosecutor, he handled cases ranging from money laundering and RICO violations to 1st degree murder cases and even human trafficking cases. He spent 13 years as a supervisor while at the State Attorney’s Office in Hillsborough County and tried over 150 jury cases to verdict during his career.

He has served on the Florida Bar Grievance Committee and the Florida Prosecuting Attorneys’ Association Education Committee. His current service includes Military Veterans Affairs Committee and the HCBA Bench Bar Committee.

Judge Smith is a member of the Krewe of the Knights of Sant’ Yago, a board member of the Dad’s Club for the Academy of the Holy Names and attends St. Patrick’s Catholic Church. He is married to Roxanna Solis Smith, a Tampa attorney. They have two children, Penelope and Maximilian and a French Bulldog named French Fry.

Hillsborough County needs good judges. Vote on August 20, 2024, to keep Judge Matt Smith in the Courtroom.