VOTE411 Voter Guide

In order to promote a just and prompt resolution to cases, I will organize a reasonable timeline for each individual offense that will include deadlines for indictments, discovery and trial. I intend to hold both the State and Defense accountable for meeting said timeline.

In setting bail amounts it is important to balance the statutory requirements with conditions of release to ensure public safety and to protect the defendant’s rights. I will make sure to take into consideration the nature of the offense, the defendant’s ability to return to court, the safety of the community and the safety of the victims with respect to first time and repeat offenders. It is important to note that the facts and circumstances surrounding the offense, victim and defendant are different and every fact presented by the State and Defense will be taken into consideration when determining a bail amount, if any.

As the current judge, I use my 32+ years of legal experience to ensure cases are resolved justly and efficiently. My high bar poll results reflect the good job I do. I review all of the available material about each case to become familiar with it. I let the attorneys to do their job, but I also require them to update me on their progress in resolving the case. This allows reasonable time for discovery and plea negotiations. I set cases for trial promptly when they can’t be resolved any other way. I work full days so that cases can be heard and jury trials conclude as quickly as possible without sacrificing justice. I work after hours as needed to research and prepare documents to ensure jury trials and hearings stay on schedule.

I work to ensure that poverty alone doesn’t keep someone in jail. If someone is a threat to public safety, I work within the law to keep the community safe. I review the background of and the allegations against each defendant before setting appropriate bail. Important factors in setting bail are the defendant’s criminal history, ties to the community, ability to make bail (financial resources), as well as the safety of the community. Lack of a criminal history argues in favor of a lower bond, while prior criminal convictions usually result in a higher bond. In appropriate cases, I require bond conditions to ensure the safety of the victim and community, including the use of exclusion zones, GPS monitoring, and home confinement.