VOTE411 Voter Guide

The court hears both criminal and civil cases. Criminal cases are misdemeanors like drunk driving, domestic violence, and theft. Civil cases are evictions, small claims, debt collections, and those with damages up to $15,000. As the people’s court, it provides an efficient way for people and businesses to seek justice. It is a one-judge court, where the judge manages all operations, like personnel, funding, maintenance, and public access to court records. Empathy is crucial to the role of judge ensuring decisions that uphold the law and promote justice and fairness. To understand the impact of rulings on all parties, the judge must draw from life experiences and broad legal knowledge which allows for the fair administration of justice.

With 24 years of legal experience and as Chief Prosecutor, I handle cases from 13 of the Court’s 16 territories, prioritizing community safety, accountability, and victim protection. My expertise spans criminal law, civil litigation, domestic relations, and probate law. As President of the Oberlin City Schools Board of Education, I’ve shown my commitment to community. As chair of non-profit boards and continued service on others, I have the experience to oversee court operations, including staffing, maintenance, public access, budgeting, and data collection as judge of this court. My temperament, calm disposition, and reverence for the people are essential qualities for this role. As judge, I’ll maintain respect and ensure justice for all.

In my first 90 days as judge, I plan to redesign and reinstate the Oberlin Municipal Court Diversion Program, to offer substance use, mental health, and rehabilitation services instead of criminal convictions to eligible parties. The court will collaborate with community partners to provide resources to help individuals avoid new charges. I will also research collections companies to explore cost effective options for collecting outstanding court fees and fines. In the first six months to a year, I will review the court files of individuals with monitored time conditions on their sentences to assess eligibility for reducing that condition, allowing the court to focus additional resources on diversion and other measures.

I am seeking to be the next Judge of Oberlin Municipal Court. Municipal Courts are statutory Courts and are established by R.C. 1901 et seq. Since the population of its jurisdiction is under 100,000 the Judge of the Oberlin Mu.nicipal Court is responsible for appointing the Clerk of Courts.

The Court’s jurisdiction is made up of the cities of Amherst and Oberlin, the Villages of Kipton, Rochester, South Amherst, and Wellington, and the townships of Amherst, Henrietta, Russia, Camden, Pittsfield, Brighton, Wellington, Penfield, Rochester, and Huntington.

The Court has jurisdiction to hear civil case for damages up to $15,000.00, criminal misdemeanors, eviction cases, and functions as the Small Claims Court for claims up to $6000.00.

I bring nearly 60 years of life experience to the bench. I have been a soldier, federal civil service employee, and practicing lawyer for 26 years. I was a municipal prosecutor, defense attorney, and have been in private practice since 2000. I manage employees, payroll, taxes, and budgets, and will use that experience to ensure public funds are handled with care. As a renter, homeowner, and landlord, I understand housing cases. Serving 11 years in Lorain Veterans Treatment Court, I value restorative justice and breaking cycles of criminal behavior. I will bring diligence, hard work, compassion, and evidence-based knowledge to the office.

My top three priorities would be to:

1. Create an Alcohol Treatment Court to address the cycle of recidivism stemming from alcohol abuse. This is not a diversion program (which are for first time offenders and those with low risk and low needs). It will target those at the highest risk of re-offending who also have the highest need for services. Because this is where the most success can be found.

2. Seek to update the Court’s case management system to accept electronic filing for civil as well as criminal matters. Currently, the Oberlin Municipal Court is unable to accept electronically transmitted tickets and complaints from law enforcement.

3. To seek grants from all sources to pay for the above items.