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Campaign Phone
913-328-2252
Personal Biography
I am a military child. I married my high school sweetheart who became a United States citizen in 2002. I began my career at the Shawnee County DA’s Office but have spent the last 9 1/2 years in the Wyandotte County DA’s Office and made Wyandotte my home. I have been an active member of Drug Court and Behavioral Health Court and I’ve prosecuted crimes from capital murder to traffic offenses. I have written more than 75 briefs and argued before the Kansas Supreme Court and the Court of Appeals.
Community/Public Service
I am a life member of the Girl Scouts of America, a member of the Daughters of the American Revolution, a member of the Daughters of Union Veterans of the Civil War, the President Liaison for the Women's Relief Corp. I spend my time outside the courtroom volunteering to judge moot court at Washburn University; crochet blankets for the USO; welcome home Honor Flights; collect toiletries for the stroke unit at KU Med; collect pop tabs for the Ronald McDonald House; working on creating a Wreaths Across America cemetery in Bonner Springs; clean and preserve headstone in the 25 abandoned cemeteries in Wyandotte County; work on preserving and restoring monuments; serve meals at the Police Athletic League in Kansas City, Kansas. I have served as President of the Wyandotte County Bar Association.
Education
Kansas State University - College of Education. Name Outstanding Undergraduate Student; Washburn University School of Law. Graduated with honors; over 100 pro bono hours; and the top grades in immigration law and criminal procedure
Ballot City
Kansas City
County
WYCO
I have a love of the law and always want to continue learning it. As a prosecutor, I have handled the most serious crimes in our community, capital murder. There cases are very serious, very detailed in their motion practice, and take a long time to handle. I have also handled the crimes that have brought the most people to the courthouse, traffic. I have handled a vast array of criminal case but also handle civil cases through our office. I continue to try to make the system better by writing appeals to the Kansas Supreme Court and the Court of Appeals. I have appeared before both courts to make arguments. I have worked for more than a decade in alternative courts. I believe that a judge must discretion when imposing a punishment.
There is not a one size fits all solution for criminal justice. However, Courts are supposed to be about rehabilitation and not just punishment. With juvenile offenders, the goal should always be to rehabilitate first but understanding that some crimes are so violent or heinous that it may not be possible.
The same applies for first time offenders. For low-level offenses, the goal should always be rehabilitation so that they do not offend again. However, there are some people whose first offense is so serious that the Court has to treat it accordingly.
I believe strongly in being fair and trying to use the rehabilitative aspects of the Court whenever possible. At the same time, I know that it is not always an option.
Racial discrimination is an ugly stain on our history and community. As a judge, part of my role is to serve as a check and balance on the prosecution and the police to ensure that nobody is taking short cuts and that all people who come before me are treated fairly and equally under the law. The court should always serve as an impartial and objective observer of the cases in front of it and rule accordingly. If a case were to come before me where I believed racial bias or discrimination existed, I would use the tools at my disposal to deal with the case appropriately.
I believe that mental health issues can play a significant role in the commission of crimes. I believe that the hardest part of reducing recidivism from individuals suffering from mental illness it the access to three basic needs: meds, money, and housing. I would continue to promote the use of Behavioral Health Courts to help give supports to those suffering from mental illness the resources they need. I was proud to be on the team that started the Behavioral Health Court in Wyandotte County and continue to supervise that court and our Drug Court.
