Campaign Phone
810-936-5211
Education
United States Military Academy, West Point - Bachelor of Science; Michigan State University College of Law - Juris Doctor (Cum Laude)
Experience
Over twenty-six years experience as an attorney with courtroom litigation from small civil cases, traffic infractions and misdemeanors to life felonies. I have practiced in every courtroom in Genesee County and particularly have over 23 years of experience in the Fenton district court. I have the experience to hit the ground running and will be ready for the bench on day one. I am also an Army Veteran with 5 years of active duty service as an Airborne Artillery officer. I also served my community as am member of the Fenton Township ZBA, SLPR board, high school basketball referee, debate coach, sponsor of local teams, and member of the American Legion, Fenton Moose Lodge, and Knights of Columbus.
Community Involvement
Army veteran & member of the Grand Blanc American Legion Post 413. MHSAA Basketball Official. Former volunteer firefighter. Supports local athletic teams financially and serving as announcer/scorer at events. Coached athletics and debate. Fenton Moose Lodge member. Member of the Knights of Columbus, serves on BINGO team. Member of St. John the Evangelist in Fenton. Applefest volunteer and chair of the information booth.
Campaign Message
K.C. Baran has the experience you want in a district court judge. He has jury trial experience and handled thousands of criminal and civil cases in his 26 year legal career in federal and state courts. K.C. worked as a special prosecuting attorney handling criminal cases as well as drafting warrants. K.C. spent 23 years of his legal career working in the 67-4 District Court in Fenton and all of the courts in Genesee County. He will bring all of his broad legal experience, vast community involvement, and unwavering integrity to the bench.
Endorsements
Chief Judge Matthew McGivney - Livingston County Cir. Ct.; Judge Karl Barr; Judge Cathy Dowd (Ret.); State Rep. Mike Mueller; State Rep. David Martin; Fenton City Mayor - Sue Osborn; Former Fenton City Councilman - Dave McDermott; Former Swartz Creek Mayor & Current City Councilman - David Krueger; Fenton Twp Trustees - Christine Reid, Mark Goupil, and Bill Clark; Grand Blanc Clerk - David Robertson; Former Swartz Creek City Councilman - Dennis Cramer; Former State Rep., Genesee County Commissioner & Argentine Clerk - Joe Graves; Former Argentine Clerk - Denise Graves; Flint City Councilwoman - Judy Priestly; Former Linden Mayor Danielle Cusson; Linden City Councilwomen - Brenda Simons & Pam Howd; Former Davison Mayor - Fred Fortner
Candidate has not yet responded.
First, I believe that access to justice and the courts is paramount. To that end, I will do everything I can and fight to keep our local court open to serve the needs of our community. Secondly, I would take steps to ensure that our court works efficiently by ensuring a docket that moves swiftly and by holding hearings on schedule. I would also utilize tools available to the court to allow for arraignments by mail on minor matters that are not violent, not theft and not alcohol or drug related offenses.
As stated above, the court has many tools available to keep the courts accessible, cost-effective, and efficient. Utilizing arraignments by mail allows courts to focus resources on more serious offenses in the court room and alleviates pressure on the court staff. Additionally, the use of other technology like video court services, such as Zoom, for pre-trials and hearings that do not require testimony allow people to conveniently attend court and reduces pressure on the court's staff and resources.
Today, our courts must be protected from outside influence. External pressures on the courts, both economic and political, have dire consequences for access to the courts and justice for the community. In order to maintain justice and fairness, judges must guard against any outside influence affecting the operation of the courts and how the community is served, in order to protect access to the courts as well as fair and impartial administration of the law.
As a judge, I believe it is crucial that everyone who comes before the court is treated with dignity and respect. Everyone deserves due process, a fair hearing, and to be treated equally under the law. People who come before the court deserve to be heard and treated with dignity and compassion. In that same light, justice must be served and the community protected from criminals, especially those that commit violent offenses. Each and every case should be considered with attention on application of the law to the facts that results in justice and fairness.
Campaign Phone
(810)360-9489
Education
Education: Wayne State University Law School, J.D. (Full-Tuition Scholarship); Eastern Michigan University, B.A. in Political Science, Paralegal Concentration, Summa Cum Laude; Schoolcraft College, Associate Degree.
Experience
Experience: Assistant Prosecuting Attorney, Genesee County Prosecutor’s Office (SVU); Former Defense Attorney; Former Public Defender; Recovery Court Attorney; Certified Civil Mediator; Former Eastern Michigan University Adjunct Professor; Flint Police Academy Instructor; Attorney for Drug Court Participants; Former UAW Solidarity House Law Clerk; State Bar of Michigan Representative Assembly Member.
Community Involvement
Community Involvement: Active supporter and participant with Whaley Children’s Center, Voices for Children, Adopt-A-Pet of Fenton, local school and youth programs, first responder events and initiatives, community fundraisers, and numerous charitable organizations throughout Genesee County. Regularly sponsors and participates in local events benefiting children, families, schools, veterans, first responders, and neighbors in need.
Campaign Message
Prepared by experience. Grounded in community. Ready to serve. A courtroom our community can trust. My career has taken me into courtrooms from many different perspectives and given me the opportunity to work alongside attorneys, law enforcement, victims, families, and people facing some of the most difficult moments of their lives. Those experiences have shaped how I view the responsibility of a judge: come prepared, listen carefully, make thoughtful decisions, and never forget that the work of the court has a real impact on real people. I am ready to bring that experience, perspective, and work ethic to the 67th District Court.
Endorsements
Judicial: Hon. Daniel B. Bain; Hon. Duncan M. Beagle (Ret.); Hon. David J. Goggins; Hon. Elizabeth A. Kelly; Hon. Mark W. Latchana; Hon. Jennifer J. Manley; Hon. Mark C. McCabe; Hon. Christopher Odette (Ret.); Hon. Brian Pickell; Hon. Michael J. Theile (Ret.) Prosecutor: Genesee County Prosecutor David Leyton Law Enforcement: POAM; Flint Police Sergeants Association; Flint Police Officers Association; FOP Arrowhead Auxiliary Lodge 126 President Paul Clolinger Labor: BAC Local 2; Plumbers Local 98; UA Pipefitters Local 636; GLS Building Trades; UA Local 370
Candidate has not yet responded.
The judicial system serves the public best when justice is accessible, understandable, and focused on meaningful outcomes. Cost goes beyond filing and attorney fees; court can mean missed work, childcare and transportation expenses. As a certified mediator, I would encourage mediation when appropriate in civil cases to help reduce costs and delays. My Recovery Court experience also showed me how specialty courts can combine accountability with services addressing substance use and mental health. My goal is a system that remains fair and accountable while using practical solutions that can improve outcomes for individuals, families and the community.
The Fenton Division of the 67th District Court is already extremely efficient and well run. My priority would be to preserve what is working and learn from the experienced court staff who keep it operating successfully. I would support the continued appropriate use of technology and remote proceedings when they reduce travel, missed work and costs without compromising the integrity of a proceeding. I would also look for practical ways to make scheduling, communication and court information easier for the public to navigate. I would not make changes simply for the sake of change; any change should provide a meaningful benefit to the court and the people it serves.
One of the greatest challenges facing courts today is maintaining public trust in the judicial system. People often come to court during difficult or stressful moments in their lives. They may not agree with the outcome, but they should leave knowing they were heard and the process was fair. Judges must be prepared, impartial and consistent, and they must make decisions based on the facts and the law and not on popularity, politics, personalities or outside pressure. Every interaction someone has with the court shapes how they view our justice system. Protecting public confidence through fairness, professionalism and judicial independence is one of a judge's most important responsibilities.
My career has allowed me to see the courtroom from many perspectives. I have served as a defense attorney, Recovery Court attorney, certified mediator, educator and now an Assistant Prosecuting Attorney handling criminal cases in the Special Victims Unit. Voters can expect a courtroom that is prepared, professional, efficient and respectful. I will listen to both sides, know the law and decide cases based on the facts and law, free from outside influence. I believe in accountability and individualized justice, and I will treat victims, defendants, attorneys, officers, witnesses and court staff with dignity and respect. I would bring a strong work ethic and humility to the bench while preserving the strong foundation of the Fenton Division.
