VOTE411 Voter Guide

I have practiced as a trial attorney handling criminal and civil cases in Summit County courts since 2005, and have spent these last 22 years as an attorney listening to the needs of our citizens here in Summit County. I have seen firsthand the dangers we face every day. I am also very involved as a board member with various agencies serving Summit County. These include Community Health Center (CHC) and The Oriana House, and I have worked with Community Support Services (CSS) to advocate for mental health treatment. For more than two decades, I have continuously advised both clients and non- clients on ways to help remedy their problems with homelessness, the disease of drug addiction, and mental health. If elected Judge, I will follow the law. I will ensure that true justice is the goal in every case, no matter how different that might look for an individual.

I believe I am the right candidate at the right time for this seat. I have learned a lot about the needs of our Summit County citizens through my work as a trial attorney and now as a Magistrate. I know that the problems we have here in Summit County can be addressed by having a Judge who understands the immense need for public safety, mental health and substance abuse treatment, and remedies for homelessness. For too long, we have done the same things to address evolving problems. We need a judge who has the ability to listen and follow the law. It matters who we elect to be our bench. I am a Democrat who brings diversity to a bench that does not reflect the look of our county. Our county is diverse, but our Summit County bench is not.

Courts have made our residents feel alienated. People do not feel like they are truly heard when they appear in front of a judge. They feel like they are just a case number; they are not. They are real people with real needs. Each case that comes in my court deserves to be heard with respect, integrity, fairness, and discipline. Fairness may not look the same to every person. But, people should feel like they were heard and respected in my court. People also feel like our Judges can not relate to problems they face. I have been married and divorced. I have children and stepchildren. I had a sister be a victim of the disease of addiction and lose her life just two years ago at a far too early age. I have faced hunger and have seen firsthand what domestic violence can do to a family. Our people need Real Judges with Real Life Experiences. People want to feel like their elected judges understand the problems they face daily. Because of my life experience, I do.

The greatest obstacle is making sure our citizens know they can come to our court and their problems will be fairly listened to and addressed in a timely manner. This includes victims, plaintiffs, defendants, and all litigants. For too long, Summit County citizens have been reduced to a case number. Everyone involved in a case, whether criminal or civil, deserves to have their true day in court. We must ensure equal access to justice. We have the ability to accommodate issues that may arise, whether with transportation to court, childcare, or otherwise. Utilizing virtual court options for some people ensures they do not lose a valuable job or forgo necessary family responsibilities for some court appearances.