VOTE411 Voter Guide

I serve as Judge of Jackson County's 12th District Court and preside over its Domestic Violence Court. I graduated first in my class from Cooley Law School and earned an LL.M. in Criminal Advocacy. Before becoming a judge, I spent nearly a decade as a Special Victims prosecutor, handling thousands of cases involving some of the most serious crimes in our courts, including domestic violence, sexual assault, and homicide. As an Assistant Attorney General, I handled federal civil rights litigation on behalf of MDOC employees and represented the People of Michigan at life-sentence parole hearings. I bring extensive trial, criminal, constitutional, and judicial experience to the bench and am committed to serving Jackson County for the long-term.

My objective is to continue building on the work I have begun in Jackson County’s Domestic Violence Court. I have substantially increased the number of participants given access to inpatient treatment and created direct referral programs with Home of New Vision and AWARE, connecting people directly with treatment and victim services. I will continue expanding these partnerships while maintaining a strong focus on accountability and protecting our community from serious and escalating violence. I work with law enforcement, treatment providers, victim advocates, and community organizations to address underlying issues, reduce repeat offenses, and protect victims. Early intervention and appropriate consequences are critical to breaking cycles of violence before they escalate and cause further harm. Public safety, accountability, fairness, and constitutional rights will remain at the center of my work as I continue strengthening the Domestic Violence Court and serving Jackson County.

The most significant issues facing our court include repeat domestic violence, substance abuse and mental health needs, limited access to treatment, and ensuring cases are resolved efficiently while protecting constitutional rights. Addressing these challenges requires both accountability and effective intervention. I will continue identifying high-risk behavior, imposing appropriate consequences, and prioritizing victim and community safety, particularly where violence is extreme or escalating. At the same time, I will expand connections with treatment providers and community organizations so appropriate defendants have meaningful access to services that address underlying issues contributing to repeated criminal behavior. I will also continue focusing on efficient case management and responsible use of court resources. A strong court must protect the community, uphold constitutional rights, hold offenders accountable, and work to reduce future involvement in the justice system.

My judicial philosophy is grounded in fairness, accountability, constitutional rights, and public safety. A judge must evaluate every case individually and impose consequences that are appropriate to the circumstances. Domestic violence often begins in young adulthood, and research demonstrates an important connection between patterns of domestic violence and the risk of serious or lethal violence. That makes intervention at the right time, with the right resources, essential. When treatment and intervention can address underlying issues and help prevent future violence, courts should make effective use of those tools. At the same time, I am willing to take immediate and decisive action when necessary to protect victims and the community, particularly in cases involving serious, escalating, or extreme violence. My role is to apply the law fairly, protect constitutional rights, hold offenders accountable, and use the authority of the court thoughtfully to help prevent future harm.

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