VOTE411 Voter Guide

I received my B.S. from Eastern Michigan University in 2002. I received my J.D. From Detroit Mercy School of Law in 2005. During law school I interned for the Oakland County, Wayne County and Chippewa County prosecutor's offices. I was hired by Hank Zavislak as an Assistant Prosecutor in February of 2006. I have prosecuted every type of criminal case through out my career. When I left the office in 2013 I was a Senior APA, assigned to Circuit Court and also in charge of gang violence prosecutions and a member of the Project Safe Neighborhood task force in Jackson County. Since 2013, I have been a criminal defense attorney in Jackson County. My experience in criminal law stems over 20 years. Making me the most qualified candidate.

My objective is to make Jackson County a safer place to live and work, while upholding the constitution and being a fair voice for all residents. I have the great pleasure of being endorsed by all the major police organizations in Jackson as well as all three Circuit Court Judges and the Chief District Court Judge. Working with these hard working officers and judges I will continue to help our community strive towards greatness. I have first hand knowledge of how the judicial system works from both the defense and the prosecution. This gives the voters of Jackson County an opportunity to elect a Judge that has seen it all. A Judge that understands the law and the people of this County. Being a Judge is about fairness and holding criminals accountable when they step outside of the law and endanger the people of this great community.

Over my 20 years of practicing in the 12th District Court, one issue that I would like to address would be the amount of time a case waits to get called, or how long witnesses need to wait to be called to the stand. Having police officers sit for hours waiting to testify only for the case to be canceled or adjourned. I would rather have our brave men and women on the streets, helping to keep our community safe instead of sitting in the Courthouse for hours waiting for the case to be called. I want to work with the Prosecutor's Office and the Defense Bar to streamline cases and stop the waisted time that consistently occurs on the second floor. If a Judge sets a time for a hearing the Judge should be on the Bench at that time, prepared and ready for the hearing.

It is important to point out that a Judge should never have an agenda. As a Judge you are a referee, and the law is your rule book. For the last 20 years I have had the great opportunity of practicing in front of some of the best Judges in Jackson County history, and the message is always the same; the law is all that matters, follow the law and the Court rules and you will succeed as a Judge. It will not be my job to make new laws or to insert my personal feelings about a case that is in front of me. It will be job to interpret the law that is written and follow that law the rules of evidence and procedure, and while doing that to make sure that people of Jackson County are protected by those same laws. To be a Judge is a great responsibility. The voters are choosing you to be fair all parties that appear before you, to protect the people that need protecting and to be just in everything you do.

I earned my Juris Doctorate from the University of Toledo College of Law in 2017, where I received multiple Public Service Commendations and was inducted into the Order of the Barristers. I earned my Bachelor of Fine Arts from the University of Michigan in 2003.

I currently serve as an Assistant Prosecuting Attorney in Jackson County. Previously, I served as an Assistant Public Defender in Washtenaw County and as an Assistant Prosecuting Attorney in Wayne County.

I have experience on both sides of the criminal justice system and have tried 72 cases—38 bench trials and 34 jury trials—including seven homicide trials. My experience also includes juvenile, abuse and neglect, arson, major drug, and family-law matters.

My objective is to maintain a courtroom where the law is applied fairly and consistently, without prejudgment, bias, or favoritism.

Every person who enters my courtroom will be treated with dignity, kindness, and respect while still being held accountable.

I want the courtroom to be calm and serious, but not intimidating simply for the sake of being intimidating. I will come to the bench prepared, having reviewed the cases before me rather than relying on attorneys to bring me up to speed.

In turn, I will expect attorneys and litigants to arrive prepared and will hold everyone to the same standards. People should leave knowing they were seen, heard, and treated fairly.

Priority issues include efficient docket management, appropriate bonds, mental health needs, and realistic scheduling. I would begin proceedings on time and move efficiently through the docket, while scheduling a realistic number of matters each day to reduce delays and future overflow.

Bond decisions should be made individually, consistent with the law, the circumstances of the case, and community safety.

I would support effective use of the Mental Health Treatment Court and ensure competency and criminal-responsibility referrals are made promptly, with careful attention to evaluation timelines and follow-up with the Center for Forensic Psychiatry.

My judicial philosophy begins with the understanding that the law affects real people and real lives.

Judges must be prepared, attentive, impartial, and committed to applying the law with integrity and thoughtful judgment. Every case deserves careful consideration, and every person who enters the courtroom deserves to be treated with dignity, fairness, and respect.

A judge should approach each case without prejudgment or favoritism, listen carefully to the facts and arguments presented, and make decisions based on the law and the individual circumstances of the case.

Having grown up in Jackson County, I understand that decisions made in our courts affect our neighbors, families, businesses, and the community we share. These principles have guided me throughout my legal career and will continue to guide me on the bench.