I have been a Magistrate in Domestic Relations court for 8 years. I decide nearly a thousand cases a year involving tough issues like child custody, domestic violence, child support and divorce. Not all parties that appear in my court are represented by counsel. I have a large number of cases where the parties do not have the benefit of counsel or a good understanding of rules and procedure. In all of these cases, I apply the law to the facts and make the decision.
The past eight years have prepared me well for the equally challenging work of a common pleas judge, which involves both criminal and civil cases. I am especially concerned about these issues:
On the Criminal Side
Drug related crimes that stem from addiction, often with related mental health disorders. In these cases, traditional incarceration does not solve the addiction problem or co-occurring mental disorders. Creative solutions such as felony drug court, currently in use in Common Pleas Court, and diversion programs that address underlying addiction issues and are a more efficient use of the court’s resources, and may keep some defendants from becoming inmates. I have experience working with other professionals to determine when behavior stems from an addiction or a co-occurring disorder, and to involve the offender with appropriate community services
rather than simply incarcerating him or her.
Felony non-support cases—Creative solutions are necessary, such as a specialty court or a diversion program where a team assesses the employability of the offender, helps him or her find employment and then monitors the offender to ensure that support payments resume. I would like to see the court and the prosecutor work together to network within Summit County’s employment community (including the Job Center and the Summit County Dept. of Job and Family Services) to maintain a network of employers willing to hire these defendants. In addition, and in a program modeled from Butler County, I think these defendants would also benefit from programs that help them become real parents that actually participate in the lives of the children they create.
On the Civil Side
Complex civil/business litigation can take a long time to try and frequently befuddles the jury. The Ohio State Bar Association has proposed a Business Courts concept to test in five Ohio counties. I would like to see such a court in Summit County. These courts hear business cases exclusively, leaving the other judges of the county free to balance a criminal docket and non-business civil docket, including malpractice litigation, wrongful death, and personal injury cases. Judges who participate in a business court must have background in business in order to fully understand the issues involved in the litigation. My academic and professional experience would prepare me to work in a business court, when one is created in Summit County.
Foreclosures – Common Pleas court has adopted a mediation program to help mitigate the burgeoning docket in foreclosures. Not all of these cases can be mediated, and the judge assigned needs to understand the potential complications, such as clear chain of assignment of the note/mortgage, priority of liens and potential effect of a bankruptcy. The judge should also understand the motivation of lenders in this climate. They don’t want to maintain an inventory of vacant houses for which they are liable. My experience working in the banking and finance industries prepares me to hear these complicated cases.
As a common pleas court judge I would hope to put my diverse experience to use to make the court more efficient by continuing to use and monitor creative programs to ensure timely and fair case resolution.
