Change Address

VOTE411 Voter Guide

Court of Appeals Judge, Position 14

Voters vote to retain or not retain this candidate.

Click a candidate icon to find more information about the candidate. To compare two candidates, click the "compare" button. To start over, click a candidate icon.

  • Candidate picture

    Kathryn Gardner
    (Non)

Biographical Information

How do your background and education inform your actions as a judge/justice?

How do you balance the need for justice with the rights of the accused in a case?

As an appellate judge, my job is to listen carefully, to research thoroughly, to think analytically, to deliberate collegially, to decide fairly, and to explain the decision clearly. I had extensive and varied legal experience before becoming a judge over 9 years ago. My undergraduate and law school education, coupled with my teaching as an adjunct professor at law school, have enhanced my analytical, communication, writing and mentorship skills, useful in judicial decision-making. My experience as a state and federal law clerk, a litigator, an educator, and a judge gives me a comprehensive understanding of legal principles, practical lawyering, judicial process, and procedural fairness, making me a meticulous and informed appellate judge.
As an appellate judge, my role is to apply the law, which is designed to protect the rights of all parties, to the facts of each case—that achieves justice for all. An accused’s rights, such as to a fair trial, to the presumption of innocence, to be free from unreasonable search and seizure, etc. are all established in the law. The need for justice includes protecting victims and the broader community, while ensuring the rights of the accused. Our primary goal, as appellate judges, is to determine whether the appellant, who lost below, got a fair trial. My determination in every case is reached by applying the rule of law to the facts, within our court’s standard of review. My goal in every case is to do justice to all parties.