VOTE411 Voter Guide

My path to the law was not traditional. I served in the United States Marine Corps, where I learned discipline, accountability, and preparation. After an honorable discharge, I used VA vocational rehabilitation to attend college and later graduated from Wayne State University Law School. For more than 23 years, I have practiced in Michigan courts, handling serious civil cases, trials, evidentiary issues, expert witnesses, and appeals. I have also worked as a mediator. That background has taught me to listen carefully, prepare thoroughly, apply the law fairly, and treat every person in court with dignity and respect.

My path to the law was not traditional. I served in the United States Marine Corps, where I learned discipline, accountability, and preparation. After an honorable discharge, I used VA vocational rehabilitation to attend college and later graduated from Wayne State University Law School. For more than 23 years, I have practiced in Michigan courts, handling serious civil cases, trials, evidentiary issues, expert witnesses, and appeals. I have also worked as a mediator. That background has taught me to listen carefully, prepare thoroughly, apply the law fairly, and treat every person in court with dignity and respect.

The relationship must be professional, respectful, and independent. Prosecutors and law enforcement have important roles, but they are not partners of the judge. A judge’s duty is to the Constitution, the law, and the fair administration of justice. There should be no special access, favoritism, or appearance that one side has an inside relationship with the court. Law enforcement witnesses should be evaluated like any other witness, based on facts, evidence, credibility, and the law. Public trust requires a judge to remain fair, impartial, and visibly neutral.

I bring over 17 years of legal experience practicing in the courts of Macomb County, with a career focused primarily on indigent criminal defense, while also handling civil, probate, juvenile, and family matters. For the past five years, I have served as a Magistrate in the 40th District Court and was recently appointed Magistrate in the 42-2 District Court, giving me real judicial experience making fair, impartial decisions from the bench. I also serve as an elected Trustee for the Lakeview School Board and have been deeply involved in treatment courts and justice reform. This experience has prepared me to be ready on day one to serve Macomb County with fairness, integrity, and respect for the law.

Although I believe the Court is currently working very well, there are several matters that should continuously be addressed: case backlogs, access to justice, mental health and substance abuse issues, and ensuring public confidence in a fair and efficient court system. If elected, I would focus on constitutional safeguards and ensuring every person is treated with dignity and respect. I strongly support specialty courts and treatment-based solutions for non-violent offenders that address the root causes of criminal behavior while improving outcomes and reducing repeat offenses. I would also work collaboratively to improve access to resources, encourage accountability, and ensure decisions are based on the facts and the law.

An appropriate professional relationship between a judge, prosecutors, and law enforcement must be grounded in professionalism, mutual respect, and clear ethical boundaries. Judges should maintain independence and impartiality while recognizing the important role prosecutors and law enforcement play in the justice system. A judge must treat all parties fairly, hold everyone to the same legal standards, and ensure constitutional rights are protected. Professional communication and courtroom decorum are important, but decisions must always be based on the facts, the law, and evidence presented in court. Public trust depends on fairness, integrity, and judicial independence.