Appeals from the Eastern District go to the United States Court of Appeals for the 6th Circuit. If there are not more than twice the amount of candidates than there are persons to be elected, the race will not appear on the primary election ballot, but only on the general election ballot. It is important to determine credibility of witnesses and evidence, to determine if any evidence presented has been corroborated, and to determine how that evidence fits the facts of the case and the elements by your common sense. Community Rules apply to all content you upload or otherwise submit to this site. This will not happen overnight, it will not be easy, and it will certainly take multiple changes to our laws and practices to allow it to take place. 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. Richelew: I help people every day. 2. It is one of 105 district courts in Michigan. (3) I will bring social work interns into the courthouse, and train staff in de-escalation and trauma-informed engagement techniques. He was appointed to the bench by former Governor John Engler in March 1997, filling the vacancy created by the resignation of the Hon. And if I see something is not right, I will work to make it right. Some examples are: Analyzed, advised and/or wrote briefs in the most important civil rights, employment, and constitutional issues before the Michigan Supreme Court for the last 15 years. In a process run by a county clerk, the candidates choose slips of paper from a box that say either "elected" or "not elected".[5]. In order to do so, we need data on what goes on in the system, and transparency and accountability about this data to the public. Do they reside with the victim, and if so, what changes (if any) need to be made to keep the victim safe? I will endeavor to make sure the courtroom is a place that each person feels respected, regardless of what issue brought them into court. The common thread in these cases is that they require a judge who can compassionately manage families and individuals in crisis while still remaining objective and impartial. Slay: 1. Spelling and grammar were not corrected. What in your education and experience make you the best qualified candidate for this position? He joins fellow judges Cedric Simpson and Anna Frushour in serving all 14A District Court matters. To serve on this court, a judge must be a qualified elector of the district, licensed to practice law in the state, under the age of 70, and have five years of experience practicing law. Make your donation to WEMU todayto keep your community NPR station thriving. My court will be fair, impartial and compassionate. Slay: I will be a judge that our community can depend on to not only follow the law, but to do so in a way that shows respect for all involved. I am the only candidate endorsed by the outgoing Judge, Kirk Tabbey, who knows the most about the 14A2 District Court and the needs of the community. In addition, my staff will be trauma informed and trained. Specialty courts treat the person as a whole with therapy, treatment, and utilize community resources, and are an efficient and effective alternative to incarceration. Michigan is one of 43 states that hold elections for judicial positions. Statewide election results on this website go back to 1980. In Dexter Township, Republican Tara Guenther was unopposed in her bid to win a partial term as Township trustee. As a trial attorney, I understand how courtrooms operate, and how best to identify disparities therein. This county is outside of that coverage scope and does not receive scheduled updates. My specializations include commercial law, criminal defense, traffic, mediation, and family/divorce. 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. Served my community, with now-Justice Welch, helping 1000+ workers with their COVID and unemployment rights. Van den Bergh: Consistent with the Michigan Supreme Court initiative to develop family law expertise on the bench, the new Washtenaw County Circuit Court judge will handle a domestic docket. Non-commercial, fact based reporting is made possible by your financial support. Elected by Washtenaw attorneys as their Representative to State Bar of Michigan (SBM) Representative Assembly. What factors do you bring to bear in deciding a case? Karl V. Fink (Ret.). Incumbent Miriam Perry was unopposed in her bid for another six-year term on the 15th District Court Bench. As we discuss police reform, we must also reimagine our judicial system. 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. 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. Barr: My top goal is to rebuild trust between the community and the judicial system. Tags: Ann Arbor, Washtenaw County, Pittsfield Township, Ann Arbor Elections, Ann Arbor City Council, 12th Congressional District, Washtenaw County Prosecutor, Washtenaw County Sheriff, Washtenaw . Every defendant has the right to a jury of their peers, which means that a jury needs to reflect the make-up of the community. I am currently working with local leaders to make this a reality now. I am licensed in Michigan, New York and Illinois, as well as the US District Courts for the Eastern and Western Districts of Michigan, the 6th Circuit Court of Appeals, and the US Tax Court. By Bill Chappell , Victoria Hansen. This means taking an active, though impartial role in leveling imbalances of power. 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. He's seen here being escorted into the the Colleton County . This means that, for offices within our coverage scope, a person's sample ballot results should include every election that will appear on their actual ballot. Cities | I have volunteered with seniors, teens in crisis, disabled adults, and at-risk students. Armstrong took the most votes followed by Barr. Reiser: While I respect precedent and will look to statutes and case law for guidance, I am not a strict constructionist. How to run for office | Community Rules apply to all content you upload or otherwise submit to this site. She holds a bachelor's degree in criminal justice from Michigan State University and a Juris . Publication of candidate statements and opinions is solely in the interest of public service and should NOT be considered as an endorsement. Prior to joining the AGs office, though I specialized in high-conflict family law, I also tried cases involving defamation, employment, real estate, contract, probate, consumer, and landlord tenant matters. The new judge will be assigned the family court docket during the six-year term in office. They are competing for an open spot on the bench created by Judge Archie Browns retirement. Armstrong: The 14A District Court Judge elected here would most likely be assigned to 14A-2 District Court, which is in Ypsilanti, MI. Additional local ballot measures may also be included. Skyline PTSO President. Criminal Justice Reform - As a leading criminal justice reformer, I understand how reforming the way individuals interact with law enforcement and the criminal justice system can and will change our community for the better. I will have the same approach as a judge. Click here to contact our editorial staff, and click here to report an error. On a daily basis, I evaluate the facts of cases, apply the law, and make judgments on how to proceed. The race decided who will fill the open spot on the bench created by Judge Kirk Tabbeys retirement. As a judge, I will work hard to level the playing field for all litigants. from Michigan State University, I worked in the Washtenaw Prosecutors Office, focusing on domestic violence and felony prosecution, and as a Deputy City Attorney, helping to lead Ann Arbors comprehensive law practice, supporting all areas of city services. Reiser: Often times the law provides specific factors to consider or rules of evidence to follow when deciding a case. We must be vigilant against bias, and streamline cases to make them less cumbersome. U.S. Congress | All rights reserved (About Us). If you would like to help our coverage scope grow, consider donating to Ballotpedia. Click here to contact us for media inquiries, and please donate here to support our continued expansion. I am statewide leader in attorney training, I have centered my approach around restorative justice and trauma-informed proceedings in order to build trust in a historically discriminatory court system. If you purchase a product or register for an account through one of the links on our site, we may receive compensation. Where the office names are linked, you can click to learn more about the race in general. In the nonpartisan primary, the two candidates who receive the greatest number of votes advance to the general election. Past President of Women Lawyers Association of Michigan and Washtenaw (WLAM). Expertise in voting rights as a lawyer and election worker. Elections in 2023 | ANN ARBOR, MI - Three legal minds are on the August primary ballot vying to be Washtenaw County's next new trial court judge, but only two can progress to the November general election. Slay defeated Marla Linderman Richelew of Ann Arbor. Your individual circumstances will be considered. Corporate Crimes and Economic Justice Taskforce Member (Washtenaw). I believe in rehabilitation, restoration, and protection, and that resolutions that incorporate these principles provide for better dispositions over time. Judges must not only uphold and apply the law, they are also required to perform all judicial duties fairly and impartially. Slay defeated Marla Linderman Richelew of Ann Arbor. I have argued well over a dozen cases before the Michigan Court of Appeals and MI Supreme Court, including establishing new law in a family law decision. To learn more about judicial selection in Michigan, click here. About the Honorable Julia B. Owdziej. Interns wanted: Get paid to help ensure that every voter has unbiased election information. If elected, she will be the only woman of color on the Washtenaw County Circuit Court Bench. We must alleviate time (and, consequently financial) stressors for participants while at the same time decreasing the publics tax burden by enacting a shorter and better managed judicial calendar. When I become a judge, the most important voice in the courtroom will be yours. Cities | Armstrong is an assistant prosecuting attorney with the Washtenaw County Prosecutors Office and U.S. Army veteran. Barr: My roots and ties to this community run deep and is one of many reasons why I am best candidate to represent this community. A trial attorney, I am currently working with local leaders to make this a now... 3 ) I will have the same approach as a lawyer and election.... You purchase a product or register for an open spot on the 15th District Court.! 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