Occupation/Current Position
St. Joseph County Probate Court Judge
Education
Bachelors of Business Degree from Indiana University and Law Degree from Thomas M. Cooley Law School
Experience and qualifications are key for this office. The Probate Court Judge oversees one of the largest organizations in county government - over 150 staff members, multiple facilities, and dozens of programs. Before being elected Judge, I served the Probate
Court as an attorney in different roles for 16 years and spent a great proportion of my time within the facility working with juveniles and their families. It is imperative that the Probate Court Judge have an intimate understanding of the people, processes, and challenges that must be overcome and different agencies that must work together for the betterment of children and families of our community. That only comes with experience.
When I was first elected, I made it a priority to ensure we are able to provide fast and efficient service to residents - this is especially important because many of the serious matters we address cannot risk being delayed due to bureaucracy or poor administration. That is why I have added a new Courtroom at no cost to the taxpayers and 2 additional Judicial offices to better serve the increasing demands placed upon our Court. Proper administration and
communication with agencies and services providers help to provide better Judicial decisions and better outcomes for families.
Both responsibilities are one in the same. The Judge needs to provide the leadership and direction for the entire operation, and not view them as separate entities. The entities work best when they together to better serve children and families to deliver services when they are needed them the most.
One of my proudest accomplishments is the elimination of the waitlist for the CASA (Court Appointed Special Advocate) Program that existed when I was first elected. For the first time in our history, every child has a CASA representative and maintaining this achievement is a top priority for my second term. This is one example of the judicial and administrative responsibilities working hand in hand to ensure the best attention and possible outcomes for our at-risk youth.
Today’s generation is facing a constant changing environment with generational issues beyond their control. Issues surrounding mental health, substance abuse, and poverty are causing many families and children to hit moments of crisis in manners not seen in previous generations.
That is why I implemented the first crisis stabilization program which utilizes modern techniques to conduct a more comprehensives intake and case management system that prioritizes mental health assessment. This allows our staff to quickly and accurately identify high-risk juveniles and get them the appropriate resources they need for their care.
In my next term, we will continue to learn and grow this program so we can address the ever-changing needs of our youth to ensure we are meeting our goal of having an overall positive community impact.
Of course the ideal place for a child is in a stable home with supportive parents that prioritize their child’s welfare. Unfortunately, that is not always the situation. However, I like to address the incorrect myth that our facility be viewed simply as “detention” for youth, as our passion and work is not the equivalent of jail for children.
Within our walls and programs, our youth get the schooling, medical, mental services that they need to lead successful lives in the future. For instance, I established the Bridge Link program which focuses on learning job and independent living skills to prepare youth for life, employment, and successful adult relationships. In 2022, almost every individual participating in this program successfully exited after achieving a GED or gainful employment.
Finding ways to avoid the possibility of detention is always the first goal and we know our community’s front line here is our local school systems. That is why I established a truancy program with area schools along with Five Star Life, a program for character and leadership development, which has successfully been used to keep youth in school. In 2022 alone, over 100 youths participated in this program.
In addition, through our new comprehensive screening and intake process, when our staff identify high-risk youth with mental issues, we are able to report those back to the local school so they may help implement plans for the child to be successful in their learning environment.
I am proud that no client has ever filed a complaint against me after 16 years as a legal professional involved with thousands of cases. My focus has always been on doing the best possible job I can for individuals and families while providing them with the highest quality service within my ability.
Unfortunately when you choose to seek the office of Judge through an election, politics are interjected into that equation. This creates an environment where you have to learn to accept that your best intentions can easily be misinterpreted, twisted, or unfairly misconstrued and Judicial rules severely limit a Judges ability to provide clarity or response.
Therefore, it is important that I ensure that intention and perception are both considered through my own conduct as Judge in addition to those who work for your Probate Court System.
Occupation/Current Position
Deputy Prosecuting Attorney 1999-present.
Education
Thomas Cooley Law, Juris Doctor, May 1993 and Indiana University Bloomington, Bachelor of Science and Environmental Affairs, May 1989.
Campaign Phone
574-315-7460
As a South Bend native and practicing attorney of 30 years as both a civil litigation trial attorney and part-time deputy prosecuting attorney for St. Joseph County. Now in my 25th year as a deputy prosecutor, I have worked successfully under both Republican and Democratic prosecutors. For the past 20 years I have worked in the Problem Solving Courts which include the Drug Treatment Court and Veterans Court. I have gained a valuable base of knowledge on gender, age, and cultural issues that impact an offenders success in completing programs. At the Problem-Solving Courts we encounter individuals with complex situations and in need of services. I have helped ensure that hundreds of participants work to rehabilitate themselves. I believe by helping to save one person, I have helped make a positive impact on many families in our community.
Over the past 22 years I have had the opportunity to work at a medium size civil law firm consisting of 17 lawyers and support staff, while also working for the prosecutors office most of my career. Both entities rely heavily on capable, competent team members to assist with court preparation to handle heavy case loads. The JJC already has outstanding capable employees and magistrates to assist in case load. I will instill the importance of deciding cases in a timely manner by not taking cases under advisement longer than necessary, to avoid excessive attorney costs, court congestion and unnecessary case backlogs.
I intend to prioritize diversity to create an environment where people from various backgrounds feel welcome in the Probate Court. Diversity will increase public trust and confidence in our judicial system.
I have always relied on capable and competent team members to assist with case load and court preparation. I plan to follow a similar formula to balance judicial responsibilities for the Juvenile Justice Center. Rather than making sweeping changes, I intend to confer with the magistrates and employees who know the workings of the Juvenile Justice Center best and learn from them. Once I have a solid understanding from all angles, I will implement necessary changes. I have worked in our Problem Solving Courts for 20 years and understand the importance of executive assistants, paralegals, coordinators and case managers. I intend to be on the bench as much as possible to serve our community.
The greatest challenges facing children and families today are substance abuse, trauma and parental absence. The availability of Illegal substances, prescription medications and abuse of synthetic drugs is also a challenge. In response, I would like to establish a specialized Juvenile Drug Court that follows the Indiana Judicial Centers Problem Solving Court rules. The program will include collaborative planning, weekly judicial involvement, supervision, monitoring and evaluation. The Problem Solving Court will require community partnerships, comprehensive treatment planning, gender appropriate services, cultural competence, family engagement and education. Frequent drug testing, goal oriented incentives and sanctions will also be implemented.
One of the most difficult decisions a judge will face is deciding whether a mother and father are no longer fit to be a parent. Judges must always do what is in the best interest of the child, and in some cases, it is more beneficial for a child not to have contact his/her parents. Potential reasons include severe and/or frequent physical or mental abuse, sexual abuse, neglect, abandonment and other factors. Lack of foster care alone should not be a reason to leave a child with the parent. Instead alternative placement with qualified relatives or friends should be explored. Every child deserves a family and efforts should be directed toward ensuring that a child is placed in a family based environment whenever possible. If these options are not available the Juvenile Justice Center would be an option.
I believe St. Joseph County should increase alternatives to child detention. Unless a child is a danger to the community child detention should be the last resort. The child’s best interest should be the primary concern, and if detention is necessary it should be for the shortest appropriate period of time. Early childhood trauma often leads to delinquency in children and mental health screening should be implemented. Mental health screenings are used in our current Drug Treatment Court. Similarly, a specialized Juvenile Problem Solving Court may include a mental health assessment to identify and address mental health issues which would be treated through partnerships with local mental health facilities.
I will follow the canons of Judicial conduct. A Judge must uphold and promote independence, integrity and impartiality, while avoiding impropriety or the appearance of impropriety. If elected, I will instill trust and confidence in our judicial system for our community, taxpayers and voters. I will serve the vulnerable in our community including juveniles, mentally disabled and seniors who are vulnerable to exploitation, manipulation and abuse.
If elected, I will avoid using the position of the judicial office to gain special advantage or special treatment. The individual who holds the position as judge does not have any power themselves, it is the institution of the judiciary which has the power.
I believe if you have a strong moral compass making good decisions is simply doing what you know is right and be consistent.
