VOTE411 Voter Guide

As the current Montgomery County Common Pleas Court Judge, I have presided over several criminal jury trials and civil cases. I have a demonstrated record of being fair and impartial. Additionally, as a former Assistant Prosecuting Attorney in Montgomery County and Greene County, I have extensive trial courtroom experience and am familiar with rules of procedure and evidence. Outside the courtroom, I am an active member of our community. My activities include serving as a board member with the Greater Dayton Volunteer Lawyers Project and Wright Memorial Public Library Foundation Board.

Judge Dennis Langer is one of my role models. After my second year of law school, I clerked for Judge Dennis Langer. From that experience, I was able to observe and see, first-hand, the administration of justice. I admired his consistent position of impartiality while also placing a priority on protecting individual constitutional rights. In determining cases, his primary focus was making fair and just decisions within the confines of the law. My clerkship with Judge Langer inspired my career aspirations. As a current judge, I also have striven to apply the same principles.

As the current Common Pleas Court Judge, I support a wide range of community-based alternatives to incarceration. Community control sanctions (i.e. probation) are an effective resource that allows individuals to take accountability for their actions while also engage in treatment programs. In Montgomery County, we are fortunate to have various levels of treatment programs ranging from standard outpatient treatment to residential treatment and secure rehabilitation facilities. I also support the specialized treatment dockets including Veterans Court, Kushinda Court, and Mental Health Court.

I began my career researching and writing appellate decisions for the Twelfth District Court of Appeals. I enjoy understanding legislative intent, and the reasoning behind legal precedent. After 2.5 years, I moved on to become an Assistant Prosecuting Attorney in Montgomery County. In my 18 years as a prosecutor, I have reviewed and handled more than 1000 criminal cases in every stage of litigation. I have tried 50+ felony or specification trials, and 20+ Juvenile adjudicatory or bind-over hearings. My entire career has required the proper interpretation and application of the law.

When I think of a role model, I always jump to Judge Mary Wiseman. While Judge Wiseman is experienced and exceptionally smart in her own right, she is never opposed to hearing arguments or being presented with case law in support of requested interpretation. She remains calm but firm under pressure, and treats every victim, witness, defendant and family member with kindness and respect. Every person in her courtroom can feel confident that their case was heard by someone who took the time to do the work necessary to reach the right result. That is the kind of Judge I want to emulate.

Our Court has incredible diversion-style programs for non-violent offenders based on the circumstances of their offending behavior. The RISE Court, Kushinda Court, and Veteran's Treatment Court are just a few examples of programs designed to divert offenders who can benefit from intensive rehabilitation services more than incarceration. I support the continuation of these programs, as well as keeping an eye open to the possibility of similar programs as needs are identified.