Schnelle Tonge
Nonpartisan · FL · Chief of Mental Health & Social Services, 15th Judicial Circuit Public Defender
Schnelle Tonge has spent nearly 20 years as an assistant public defender in Palm Beach County. She is Chief of Mental Health & Social Services and has previously led the County Court and Juvenile divisions, handling and supervising misdemeanor, felony, juvenile, competency, and forensic mental-health matters. Tonge earned her J.D. from the University of Florida Levin College of Law.
Track record
Civil Rights
· 1 record
Tonge co-authored an article arguing that diversity and culturally competent communication in the criminal-justice workforce improve decision-making, trust, fairness, and service to victims, witnesses, and defendants.
March 24, 2023For
Source: palmbeachbar.org · researched July 10, 2026
Impartiality
· 1 record
Tonge co-authored an article arguing that diversity and culturally competent communication in the criminal-justice workforce improve decision-making, trust, fairness, and service to victims, witnesses, and defendants.
March 24, 2023For
Source: palmbeachbar.org · researched July 10, 2026
Legal Competence
· 2 records
The Fifteenth Circuit Judicial Nominating Commission certified Schnelle Tonge as one of six nominees for a circuit-court vacancy created by Judge Paige Kilbane's elevation.
March 20, 2023For
Source: palmbeachbar.org · researched July 10, 2026
Schnelle Kirsha Tonge was admitted to the Florida Bar on September 19, 2007 and is listed as a member in good standing eligible to practice law in Florida, with no discipline in the profile's ten-year history.
September 19, 2007For
Source: floridabar.org · researched July 10, 2026
Elections
- County Court Judge Group 12 · August 18, 2026 · Palm Beach County, Florida
Profile last researched July 10, 2026.