VOTE411 Voter Guide

Just as people should expect their Executive and Legislative branch to be responsive to their needs, the Judicial Branch, including the 96th District Court, should be responsive to the needs of the citizens of Marquette County. Court operations can easily become impersonal - churn and burn - to clear the docket at the court’s convenience. One of the things that I take pride in is my ability to hear, address, and educate my clients about their concerns, the process, and the potential outcomes. Understanding what brought them to this point is key to an optimal outcome. I want to ensure our courts are serving those before it in a similar fashion. That is why I’m running.

As Marquette County’s Chief Public Defender, I go to work everyday to serve this community. I’ve spent my career advocating for people in every aspect of the Court’s jurisdiction. From serving as a prosecutor, to a civil attorney, to criminal defense – I’m uniquely ready to hit the ground running.

A judge’s responsibility is not to act as an advocate for either side, but to ensure that everyone receives a fair hearing and that the integrity of the process is protected. If I observe a party being ineffectively represented—whether by counsel or through self-representation—I will first make sure the individual understands the proceedings, their rights, and the consequences of the decisions being made.

For a self-represented litigant, I will explain procedural requirements in plain language and provide reasonable accommodations within the bounds of neutrality. If an attorney’s performance raises serious concerns, I will create a clear record, inquire as appropriate, and take any steps authorized by law to protect the party’s rights, including granting continuances when justice requires.

A courtroom should not be a place where outcomes turn on confusion or intimidation. My role will be to ensure that every person is heard, treated with dignity, and afforded due process.

The court’s role is different from that of law enforcement but is central to building public trust. The Gold Standard initiative is ultimately about professionalism, accountability, and confidence in our institutions. A court contributes to those goals by ensuring that every case is handled fairly. As Chief Public Defender, I’ve seen that trust is built when people believe they will be treated fairly and with dignity, regardless of their background or circumstances. A judge cannot, and should not, serve as a mediator in a political sense between law enforcement and the community, but the court can serve as a neutral forum where facts are tested, rights are protected, and government actions are subject to meaningful and efficient review. This is how my court will function. When the public sees that the court is impartial, transparent, and efficient, confidence in the justice system grows. My responsibility will be to ensure that everyone who enters my courtroom experiences exactly that.

As the only candidate who has led a county department, I’m uniquely positioned to implement mental health and drug courts - and I’ve already made progress. As an authorizing official, I currently oversee the defense component of Marquette County’s Drug, Sobriety, and Veteran’s Courts.

The Public Defender’s Office serves as an important bridge between the justice system and community resources. Many clients face challenges involving housing, mental health, substance use, employment, and family stability. By connecting individuals with social services, our office helps address underlying issues, promotes positive outcomes, and supports safer, healthier communities.

We have an opportunity to make a systemic change and address mental health crises with the creation of a mental health court. As the first candidate to call for the creation of this Court, I’m committed to advocating with partners in Lansing to ensure we receive the funding and resources to make this vision a reality.

Judges are important gate-keepers of the law and I am the best candidate to maintain the integrity of that role. I have a bachelors degree in Engineering. I have attended post-graduate studies at the University of Maryland, Penn State University, and Northern Michigan University. I attended a Foreign Studies program in law at the University of Toronto. I graduated cum laude with a Juris Doctorate from Thomas Cooley law school in Lansing. I passed the national bar exam in the top 4% of takers nationwide. I am admitted to practice law in Michigan, Wisconsin, the Federal Court for the Western District of Michigan, the Federal Court for the Eastern District of Wisconsin, the Federal Court for the Central District of Illinois, and the Tribal Court for the Keweenaw Bay Indian Community. I have successfully argued in the Michigan Supreme Court and court of appeals. I regularly appear in Marquette County District Court. I have appeared in every District Court in the U.P.

I would stop the proceeding and make it absolutely clear that they have the right to have counsel and ask if they would like more time to ascertain they have the counsel they need for the particular issue.

I am proud that as a Marquette County Commissioner, our Board adopted this Resolution. It sets a pride statement and practical framework for how law enforcement should act to maintain the support of the community and it sets a standard for citizens expectations of law enforcement. Transparency and clarity makes it better for both law enforcement and the citizens they encounter.

As a County Commissioner I supported the creation of a drug court, a mental health court, and a veterans' court. Creation of those programs are an issue for the legislative branch (County Board) and the executive employees in the District and Circuit Courts. Even though it is not for a Judge to create such programs, I do in fact recognize the need for same and as a Judge I will use such programs when appropriate. The County Board created a Community Corrections Program, which is headed by Mr. Trevor Kadlec. The Community Corrections Program looks to programs available and the applicability to particular cases and advises the court. The County Board has increased the funding to the Community Corrections Program significantly in the past two years, especially after a troubling incident that occurred in southern Marquette County in January 2025.

In order to serve the citizens of Marquette County, three things are important: knowing the community; dedication; and professional experience.

Regarding the community aspect, I am a lifelong resident of Marquette County and my wife Dana and I raised our four daughters in Marquette. I am very active in the community, including coaching and founding numerous sports and youth groups as well as volunteering on many local boards.

Regarding dedication, Marquette County citizens deserve a judge that works hard, has integrity, and provides a fair and impartial courtroom.

Lastly, professional experience is extremely important. I have almost 30 years of courtroom experience handling the same type of cases that District Court handles daily. About 80% of District Court cases are criminal in nature and every criminal case begins there, along with civil cases under $25,000 and landlord-tenant cases. I am by far the most experienced candidate for the citizens of Marquette.

Marquette County citizens need their 96th Judicial Court Judge to understand the complexities of the legal system and that is why I am the perfect candidate. With almost 30 years of courtroom experience, I have been in almost every legal situation imaginable.

As a District Judge, the primary duty is to maintain an independent, fair and equal judicial system. The judge should also maintain high standards of conduct to ensure that there is independence and integrity in the system.

Having a District Judge that has practical courtroom experience is important when looking for or observing ineffective representation. Also, self represented litigants face an immense challenge at times, as they are not versed in the legal system.

In facing an issue of ineffective assistance, whether by someone represented by an attorney or someone representing themselves, sometimes careful intervention, such as a side-bar, is needed, but in all cases there should be a maintenance of fairness.

As the District Court Judge, my job would be to uphold the integrity and independence of the judiciary branch of government, while providing the citizens of Marquette County access to the judicial system in a fair and impartial way.

Also, Michigan Code of Judicial Conduct Canon 2 states that a judge should respect and observe the law and at all times the conduct and manner of the judge should promote public confidence in the integrity and impartiality of the judiciary. It goes on to state that without regard to a person’s race, gender or other protected personal characteristic, a judge should treat every person fairly, with courtesy and respect.

As the next 96th District Court Judge, I will apply the laws as written and I will respect and observe the law. I would also use my almost 30 years of courtroom experience in promoting public confidence and treating everyone fairly and with the utmost integrity.

I have been an active courtroom attorney for almost 30 years. I was an Assistant Prosecuting Attorney for a number of years, handling all levels of cases including homicide cases. I have represented retained and indigent individuals, and handled complex civil litigation. My extensive practice has allowed me to see a wide range of cases, including how various alternative and diversionary programs work.

Almost every day I go to the Marquette District Court and see many of the same names on the docket sheet. We need to get to the root of the problem, and many times that is by treating the underlying reasons for the criminal behavior. I stand firmly behind sobriety court, drug court and veterans’ court. I want to also instill a veterans’ court in District Court as currently individuals have to wait too long and get a felony conviction before they are accepted into a veterans’ court. I also want to implement a mental health court, as that is a huge need today.