VOTE411 Voter Guide

If elected Judge of the Lorain Municipal Court, I would responsible for overseeing the docket and conducting hearings on criminal, traffic, civil, and eviction matters within the court's jurisdiction. The duties include ensuring court rules and laws are followed, reviewing magistrate rulings, court administration, and overseeing the court staff.

I bring the experience and judgement to perform the job on day one. As an attorney, I have civil and criminal trial experience, including multiple jury trials and representing clients on all sides. As a guardian ad litem, I have advocated for the best interests of children. I have served as acting judge in Lorain Municipal Court. My experience has centered on addressing mental health, substance abuse, and family conflict to reduce court involvement, serving as counsel for 2 specialty dockets and representing families in crisis. I am also engaged in the community, serving as president of the Lorain International Assn, Secretary of the Board of Second Harvest Food Bank, and Chair of the Sheffield Lake Civil Service Commission.

One, and this can be done immediately, is to ensure all who come before the court are heard and respected, and the law is faithfully applied. Second, as driving under suspension is typically the most frequently charged offense, I would work to improve and expand assistance to those reinstating their licenses. Given the number of suspensions, as well as the limited Court resources, I would that this would be a several year project. Last, whether through partnering with outside resources or by developing a specialty docket, I would work to address the underlying causes of repeated court involvement in order to see a decrease in recidivism over my term.

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The Lorain Municipal Court’s territorial jurisdiction covers the city of Sheffield Lake, Sheffield Township, and the city of Lorain.

The Lorain Municipal Court handles, generally: • Civil cases involving disputes not to exceed $15,000, • Traffic/criminal cases, generally involving traffic offenses and misdemeanor criminal cases; and • Housing cases / evictions and landlord/tenant issues.

A Judge of the Lorain Municipal Court oversees the day to day operation of the Court and handles the civil, criminal, and housing cases that come before the Court. The Judges handle hearings and trials and work to ensure that everyone who comes into the Court is treated fairly and impartially under the law, with dignity and respect.

I know what this office requires and would bring over three decades of hands-on experience, skills, talents and training, past and present, to the position of Judge, Lorain Municipal Court.

Since 2017, I have served as the Magistrate for Lorain Municipal Court. As the Magistrate, I have handled over 20,000 of the same types of cases I would be responsible for as a Judge. I have practiced law in Ohio (30+ years), and worked as a prosecutor (20+ years), Assistant Law Director, and Acting Judge. I have tried misdemeanor and felony cases to jury verdicts and have worked in the jurisdiction of the Court since 1993. Finally, I have taken over 600 hours of Continuing Legal Education, including over 250 hours from the Ohio Judicial College.

If I am elected, I will work to ensure that the Lorain Municipal Court continues to provide access to justice to everyone in our community. Within access, victim’s rights, mental health, and technology are three core priorities.

I would establish a committee to review the processes and procedures used within the Court so that all parties impacted in these areas are afforded access to the Court under current best practices used throughout our Country. To accomplish this, increased training, as well as programs that provide improved services and oversight for those impacted, will help ensure that individuals have access in all facets needed to be treated fairly and impartially under the law. The Court must remain ready to update itself