Feaster: The system has failed the community in many ways from jury diversity to sentencing. What in your education and experience make you the best qualified candidate for this position? SBM Diversity Advisor. It should also include every candidate running in those elections, except write-ins. WASHTENAW COUNTY, MI Two Washtenaw County attorneys are vying for a chance to be the next Washtenaw County Trial Court judge in the upcoming general election in November. State and local courts | I will endeavor to make sure the courtroom is a place that each person feels respected, regardless of what issue brought them into court. In my prior career as a clinical social worker, I supported 100s of struggling families; at Legal Services, I assisted over 1,000 vulnerable, under-resourced Washtenaw County residents, specializing in family law issues. What are the priority issues facing this court, and how would you address them if elected? My record of community service is second to none. Expertise in voting rights as a lawyer and election worker. If elected, I would be the only person of color on the Circuit Court Bench, an important perspective to help make our courts more representative of the communities they serve. They are competing for an open spot on the bench created by Judge Archie Browns retirement. There is also bias with regards to sentencing. Ballot measures, Who represents me? Peacekeeping, restorative justice, and other forms of alternative dispute can also be valuable tools to help parties find their own justice. I will follow those factors and rules when deciding cases that come before me. Each candidate was given a list of questions relevant to the office for which they are campaigning. On the Aug. 4 ballot is Amy Reiser, Nick Roumel and Tracy E. Van den Bergh, who are seeking the seat being vacated by Judge David Swartz. The Judge in this Court needs to have insight and understanding into these issues, because everything the Court orders has a huge impact on peoples daily lives: bonds, drug tests or tethers, court fees and fines. As to matters of law, I will maintain the highest standards of case and legislative review practices, as I have over my career. I practiced in two civil law firms before becoming an Assistant Prosecuting Attorney for Washtenaw County, where I have been for almost ten years. Time is valuable, and I know it is a stressful experience to come to court. Furthermore, diversity in representation of lawyers, judges, and other officials helps to build trust. This county is outside of that coverage scope and does not receive scheduled updates. Ballotpedia includes comprehensive election information for the largest 100 cities by population, as well as all state legislative, statewide, and congressional races across the nation. What have you achieved in your law practice that brings you the most pride? If you purchase a product or register for an account through one of the links on our site, we may receive compensation. Whether the case is civil or criminal in nature, I am committed to understanding the facts and the law behind each decision. Collis: Everyone who comes before this District Court deserves to have an experienced and well-versed judge presiding over their concerns. I will be there to serve you. } The top two vote-getters will go on to compete in the November general election. . The rule of law is a set of principles and ideals, for ensuring an orderly and just society and that no one is above the law. My dedication to justice, fairness and respect will be my guiding philosophy on the bench. I have very strong ethics and I would not prejudge any case. Thank you for using Ballotpedia's sample ballot tool. Since then, I have worked to re-prioritize the criminal justice reform in Ann Arbor to focus on rehabilitation, moving away from the punitive system. This means listening to the parties and making sure they have an opportunity to share their side of the story; including ensuring that self-represented litigants are heard by the Court. Washtenaw County, Michigan (Judicial) Ballotpedia provides comprehensive coverage of the 100 largest cities in America by population as well as mayoral, city council, and district attorney election coverage in state capitals outside of the 100 largest cities. Community Rules apply to all content you upload or otherwise submit to this site. Great judges work hard, inside and outside of the courtroom, driven by commitment and compassion. margin: 10px auto; My sentencing will strike a balance between punishment and rehabilitation. Hon. I had some impact on the cases assigned to me, but it was not enough to turn the tides. . 2014 Nov 4 :: General Election :: Judge of Probate Court :: Washtenaw County. U.S. President | As an MSW, I am qualified to supervise social work interns who can provide referrals and supportive services at no cost. Securing 40,729 votes during the Nov. 8 general election, Barr defeated fellow Washtenaw County attorney Fawn Armstrong, who garnered 29,852 votes. She also serves as the Presiding Judge of the Civil/Criminal Division. You will never be a case or a number. I am the only candidate who has prosecuted, defended and practiced both sides of civil cases in the 14A2 District Court. This is why my extensive legal experiences, deep local knowledge, and commitment to judicial equity are crucial to this judgeship. When I become a judge, the most important voice in the courtroom will be yours. As a judge, I will work hard to level the playing field for all litigants. I have won appeals in pregnancy and disability discrimination, employment retaliation, unemployment compensation, landlord-tenant, criminal defense, and police misconduct. color: #0B406A; Interns wanted: Get paid to help ensure that every voter has unbiased election information. Armstrong: I have my Juris Doctorate from Thomas M. Cooley Law School and Bachelors of Science degree from Northern Michigan University. If you purchase a product or register for an account through one of the links on our site, we may receive compensation. Work with the legal community to reduce the COVID backlog of court cases expeditiously. Cookie Settings/Do Not Sell My Personal Information. 100% remote. The Court should be more accessible to people with warrants so that they can be heard by the Court promptly instead of turning themselves into the jail. I am a Veteran, serving the US Army Reserves for 8 years with one tour of duty in Iraq. As we discuss police reform, we must also reimagine our judicial system. Consolidation of services is especially critical in this day of scarce governmental resources. Similar crimes should warrant similar sentences, but this does not always occur. The State via AP, Pool. Armstrong took the most votes followed by Barr. I am also admitted to the Supreme Court of the United States. (1) I will implement safeguards to ensure that all information relevant to a case is before the court so that litigants, whether represented by counsel, or in self-represented, are treated fairly to prevent erroneous outcomes. [1], What's on my ballot? By increasing restorative practices in both the criminal and civil justice systems, I hope to shift the courts in Washtenaw County from a punitive focus to one of community healing and accountability. Richelew: Ill consider all factors needed to do justice while serving all of the people of Washtenaw. padding-top: 80px; What have you achieved in your law practice that brings you the most pride? All rights reserved (About Us). Based on my experience working with domestic violence and sexual assault victims, I will also be able to recognize that some cases will not be appropriate for mediation due to underlying power and control issues. Janet Dillon received 2994 votes, Dean Girbach 2904 votes, and Christen Mitchell 2711 votes, with 53 write-ins. U.S. President | Richelew is a Representative Assembly Member for Washtenaw Countys 22nd Circuit of the State Bar of Michigan, a Washtenaw County Prosecutors Corporate Crimes Taskforce member and member of multiple other state court committees. [1] He was re-elected in 2000, 2004, 2010, and 2016. I know from my experience, that coming to court can be an emotionally charged situation for many. Judges must have the experience, demeanor, and desire to get from behind the bench to sit with the parties, roll up their sleeves, and help them resolve cases. Cookie Settings/Do Not Sell My Personal Information. Ballotpedia includes comprehensive election information for the largest 100 cities by population, as well as all state legislative, statewide, and congressional races across the nation. I will also recognize that we are all human beings and sometimes we don't make the best choices, sometimes people with good intentions make bad choices and I will recognize that and take that into account when deciding cases. What in your education and experience make you the best qualified candidate for this position? Reiser: My goal as a judge will be to preside over the circuit court with fairness and respect. } I graduated from Northern Michigan University and MSU College of Law. The candidates running for the six-year judicial position are Marla Linderman Richelew and Arianne Elizabeth Slay. You can contact your state or local election administrator for an official sample ballot. Judge Washington is the Chief Judge of the 14B District Court and presides over Landlord-Tenant, Criminal, and General Civil matters, while managing the Recovery and Human Trafficking Court and a Domestic Violence specialty docket. By utilizing my MSW to supervise social work interns, clients received additional support services which made it easier, particularly for those with mental health needs, to resolve their legal problems. color: white; Specialty courts make a difference; diversion and deflection should be a priority. padding-top: 0; what is your general judicial philosophy? I want people to feel served, not simply judged. Elections in 2023 | The new judge will be assigned the family court docket during the six-year term in office. Skip to Main Content. Ypsilanti faces issues of a lack of good-paying jobs, a lack of affordable, safe, and quality housing, a lack of affordable and quality daycares, and a lack of reliable transportation. What are your goals should you be elected and how will you work to accomplish them? For example, when determining a custody case, there are 12 factors that a judge must consider to make sure that the finding is in the childs best interest. I will listen to both sides and give them an opportunity to be heard. @media only screen and (max-width: 500px) { She advances to the November ballot and there is no Democratic opposition. Spelling and grammar were not corrected. Roumel: I have strived to be on the right side of issues, fighting for people who dont usually have a voice. I have defended the City of Ypsilantis Human Rights Ordinance. Tags: Ann Arbor, Washtenaw County, Pittsfield Township, Ann Arbor Elections, Ann Arbor City Council, 12th Congressional District, Washtenaw County Prosecutor, Washtenaw County Sheriff, Washtenaw . "Washtenaw County judge announces early retirement," May 1, 2014; Ballotpedia features 395,432 encyclopedic articles written and curated by our professional staff of editors, writers, and researchers. If there are more than twice the number of candidates than there are judgeships up for election, the race will appear on the primary election ballot. Richelew: I help people every day. My experience will ensure that no matter what type of case, no issue will be new to me. About the Honorable Julia B. Owdziej. The courts must be part of the conversation about new ways of doing things. Cities | It also wont be rushed. My promise to you is that I will listen attentively, consider thoughtfully, and make ethical decisions for every case that comes into my courtroom. On. color: white; I believe it is vital that we connect individuals with social safety net services, address the root causes of interactions with the court systems and support the rights of our victims of crime. How to run for office | I would work to avoid bias and ensure equity in my sentencing. Feaster: My judicial philosophy is shaped by being fair, consistent and respectful. I am not afraid of hard work. The material on this site may not be reproduced, distributed, transmitted, cached or otherwise used, except with the prior written permission of Advance Local. Slay: 1. If you purchase a product or register for an account through one of the links on our site, we may receive compensation. Click here to contact our editorial staff, and click here to report an error. They are competing for an open spot on the bench created by Judge Archie Browns retirement. As to matters of procedure, I will be guided by the Michigan Court rules. I also have a decade of experience in psychology, crisis intervention, and education to better serve clients who have suffered trauma. My decisions will be well reasoned, researched, and made in a timely and respectful manner. Once a trial on a particular case begins, factors such as the elements of the crime, credibility of witnesses and evaluating bias come into play. #contentwrapper { All rights reserved (About Us). He was appointed to this position by former Governor John Engler on March 18, 1999, to replace Judge Kurtis Wilder. The Circuit Court is a court of equity and I know how important that is. It is one of 105 district courts in Michigan. 1.0 1.1 Michigan Courts, "Washtenaw County," accessed July 11, 2014; I am the only candidate that grew up and attended the school system within the 14A2 District Court-- I attended Perry School, Fletcher Elementary, West Middle School and Ypsilanti High School. YouTubes privacy policy is available here and YouTubes terms of service is available here. Community Rules apply to all content you upload or otherwise submit to this site. WASHTENAW COUNTY, MI - Karl Barr has been elected to serve as the newest judge in Washtenaw County's 14A District Court. The League never supports or opposes any candidates or political parties. The League never supports or opposes any candidates or political parties. Read more Washtenaw County election coverage here. I will do my utmost to conduct myself and the court in a manner that will create that trust and respect. I also clerked for a federal judge and interned for the Wayne County Prosecutor's Office. font-size: 12px; Judges need to have the legal experience and knowledge to lead. Persuaded the Michigan Department of Civil Rights to change their intake process and start allowing individuals to file their own civil rights complaints. Not only should our Constitution be interpreted in a manner that adapts to cultural changes, but judges are instrumental in ensuring equal access to our justice system. A judge should rely on precedence for consistency and reliability, but they should also consider that, as our understanding of our history and social issues improves, it may become necessary to overturn laws that no longer comport with the intents of the Michigan Constitution and/or the US Constitution. Collis: A judge must be independent and honorable when dispensing justice. Elections in 2023 | Apply today! In a process run by a county clerk, the candidates choose slips of paper from a box that say either "elected" or "not elected".[2]. Collis: Its important to me that those who find themselves in court receive fair, compassionate, and equitable treatment. Community Rules apply to all content you upload or otherwise submit to this site. .hide-mobile { It influences public policy through education and advocacy. [4], If two or more candidates in a race receive the same number of votes, the election is to be decided by lot. My priorities are to work within the court system to (1) reduce a persons financial stressors by establishing task forces to assist with self-representation in civil cases; (2) return small claims cases to their roots by resolving them in as little as a day; (3) provide the use of technology to increase a persons access to their case by reducing common practical burdens such as transportation, child care, work issues, and more; and (4) ensure that the voices of victims are able to be heard without fear of reprisal, especially for our societys most vulnerable. I started our Countys first ever Criminal Diversion Program, moving people out of the system by helping them address the root causes of justice involvement. With nearly two decades of vast experience in practiced criminal, landlord-tenant, and civil law Im well versed and capable of handling the various laws a District Court Judge would preside over. Ive learned that everyone is fighting some kind of battle, and they just want to be heard. All responses in the voter guide were submitted directly by the candidate and have not been edited by the League of Women Voters, except for a necessary cut if a reply exceeded character limitations. Spelling and grammar were not corrected. Richelew: Washtenaw has one of the best Circuit Courts in Michigan, yet we must overcome the backlog in our civil, criminal, family, business, juvenile and probate dockets due to COVID. text-align: center; background: grey; Reiser: While I respect precedent and will look to statutes and case law for guidance, I am not a strict constructionist. Slay: After receiving my B.A. The seat covers all circuit court matters for Washtenaw County. /. In the family court, mediation is an important settlement process as it helps parties resolve their case in an environment better suited toward resolution for all. We must make the courts accessible to all, not only literally (including technological and virtual means) but by removing barriers to justice that make too many feel their voices wont be heard. 2023 Advance Local Media LLC. How to vote | The Washtenaw County Democratic Party is hosting an online panel for candidates for the non-partisan and currently vacant District Court position in District 14A, which includes the Manchester area and will appear on Manchester area general election ballots in November. We must ensure that judges, staff, attorneys, and juries treat people fairly. My extensive family court expertise in high-conflict cases--particularly those involving domestic violence, addiction, and mental health elements--has earned me more judicial endorsements than any other candidate. One of my assignments in Appeals was also training, and I would advise my colleagues on new case law and also train local law enforcement agencies. The district court is in a unique position as it often serves as the first contact people have when they enter the criminal justice system. Barr: I believe addressing racial disparity in sentencing and reducing recidivism are priorities for the Court. I will expand the use of Specialty Court programs that focus on rehabilitation, community support and reduction of recidivism. .mobile-app-cta { From a personal and practical standpoint, I will strive to be fair with regards to sentencing as the punishment must fit the crime while being consistent and sentencing without bias. The material on this site may not be reproduced, distributed, transmitted, cached or otherwise used, except with the prior written permission of Advance Local. It is important to remember, however, that every person involved in these cases needs support. WASHTENAW COUNTY, MI - Four Washtenaw County attorneys are vying for a chance to be the next 14A District Court Judge in the upcoming Aug. 2 primary. This includes interpreting the Constitution as it was intended. Federal courts | Roumel: Courts cannot decide cases in isolation. } When you come to my courtroom, youll feel welcome, knowing that I will listen attentively to all your concerns. Click on your candidates to read their biography, view past election results, read their campaign themes and responses to our candidate survey, and more. No matter what type of case, no issue will be well,! To do justice while serving all of the United States and respect., not simply.!, inside and outside of the links on our site, we may receive compensation help ensure that no what. Individuals to file their own justice individuals to file their own civil rights complaints support. Fairness and respect will be guided by the Michigan court Rules want to be on the.! 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