I have assisted victims of domestic violence; people facing foreclosures, evictions, and utility shutoffs; first offenders seeking a second chance; and victims of discrimination at school and work. Specialty courts make a difference; diversion and deflection should be a priority. I will expand the use of Specialty Court programs that focus on rehabilitation, community support and reduction of recidivism. } 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. U.S. President | YouTubes privacy policy is available here and YouTubes terms of service is available here. During my time at the Prosecutors Office I have practiced in every court in the County, with the majority of my time spent in 14A District Courts. The League never supports or opposes any candidates or political parties. 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. I created the City of Flints Blight Court and served as its Judge. Roumel: We cannot ignore what is happening nationally. Consolidation of services is especially critical in this day of scarce governmental resources. State executives | I graduated from Northern Michigan University and MSU College of Law. . It should also include every candidate running in those elections, except write-ins. I believe that listening is critical to being fair and compassionate, which helps to ensure that justice is served. Incumbent Miriam Perry was unopposed in her bid for another six-year term on the 15th District Court Bench. To learn more about judicial selection in Michigan, click here. People here are also concerned about gun violence and drugs, which needs to be taken seriously to ensure that people feel safe. I am a frequent guest lecturer from elementary through law school. Feaster: The system has failed the community in many ways from jury diversity to sentencing. The polls are open from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Tuesday, and residents can vote early via absentee ballot at local clerks' offices until 4 p.m. Monday, Aug. 1. I have handled divorces, felonies, business disputes, wrongful death, employment cases, and negligence. I believe that people have more in common than we sometimes realize. My diverse educational background and my extensive professional experiences will provide that for all parties involved. 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. Non-commercial, fact based reporting is made possible by your financial support. 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. [1], If two or more candidates in a race receive the same number of votes, the election is to be decided by lot. We can partner with universities to study outcomes, and share those results publicly. You can unsubscribe at any time and we will never share your information. ANN ARBOR, MI Three legal minds are on the August primary ballot vying to be Washtenaw Countys next new trial court judge, but only two can progress to the November general election. I have defended the City of Ypsilantis Human Rights Ordinance. 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. What are your goals should you be elected and how will you work to accomplish them? Convinced many Michigan Courts to create a dedicated breast-feeding area in their courthouses. How to vote | If the matter is criminal, what is the living situation of the Defendant? .mobile-app-cta { About the Honorable Julia B. Owdziej. letter-spacing: 1.24px; This sample ballot tool includes: All candidates in every upcoming election occurring within the 100 most-populated cities in the U.S., plus all federal and statewide elections, including ballot measures, nationwide. Judge Carol Kuhnke was elected by the voters of Washtenaw County in 2012 and took the bench on January 1, 2013. The United States District Court for the Eastern District of Michigan has jurisdiction in Washtenaw County. Here are 8 big revelations from the Alex Murdaugh murder trial. He was appointed to the bench by former Governor John Engler in March 1997, filling the vacancy created by the resignation of the Hon. I will look at each case individually. Send the note to: editor@ballotpedia.org. 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. What are the priority issues facing this court, and how would you address them if elected? Cities | Ballotpedia regularly tests our sample ballot's accuracy by looking up addresses on both it and the official sample ballot and comparing the lookup results from both tools. Barr: I believe addressing racial disparity in sentencing and reducing recidivism are priorities for the Court. 2. Federal courts | They are competing for an open spot on the bench created by Judge Kirk Tabbys retirement. During my time spent assigned to District Court, 14A-2 was where I spent the majority of my time. How to run for office | The current jury system disenfranchises low-income citizens, the elderly, and those who are not technologically savvy. I will endeavor to make sure the courtroom is a place that each person feels respected, regardless of what issue brought them into court. display: none; We can make justice more timely for people who have been living in pain, denied medical care, in fear of losing their homes, kept from their children, trapped in a marriage they no longer want, or in fear of losing their freedom. color: white; I will tailor sentences to each persons needs, be an active participate in probation review hearings (listen, foster hope), finding new programs within the community for probationers, and establishing a mentorship program for young adult probationers. Great judges work hard, inside and outside of the courtroom, driven by commitment and compassion. As a judge, I believe it is important to treat litigants who appear before you with respect. 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. 2023 Advance Local Media LLC. YouTubes privacy policy is available here and YouTubes terms of service is available here. He was appointed to this position by former Governor John Engler on March 18, 1999, to replace Judge Kurtis Wilder. I also have a decade of experience in psychology, crisis intervention, and education to better serve clients who have suffered trauma. Slay: The biggest goal we can achieve is to build trust in a broken system. She also serves as the Presiding Judge of the Civil/Criminal Division. The list of candidates to become the next 14-A district Judge has been narrowed from four to two. Counties | Reiser: One of the priority issues facing circuit court is the need for specialty courts so that we can resolve the underlying issues that cause people to return to court. Incumbents win reelection to Ypsilanti School Board, Saline Area Schools voters pass $180 million bond, Early Washtenaw County election results show some winners and close races. MLive.com File Photo.MLive.com File Photo. She advances to the November ballot and there is no Democratic opposition. 100% remote. Click here to contact us for media inquiries, and please donate here to support our continued expansion. All responses in the voter guide were submitted directly by the candidate and have not been edited by the League of Women Voters, except if a reply exceeded character limitations. Frequent writer and speaker on vital legal issues. "Washtenaw County judge announces early retirement," May 1, 2014; Interns wanted: Get paid to help ensure that every voter has unbiased election information. 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. border-radius: 6px; I will work with community leaders to increase transparency and accountability, create safe spaces for people to get the justice they need, and address mental health, substance dependency and poverty issues. 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. Van den Bergh: I believe that the U.S. Constitution is a living document and I believe in equal access to justice. He's seen here being escorted into the the Colleton County . Co-Chair of JFS Washtenaw Integrated Senior Experience (WISE). By Bill Chappell , Victoria Hansen. #content { 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]. My greatest pride is giving these victims a voice. I worked at the William Booth Legal Aid Clinic in Detroit providing assistance to residents of the Salvation Army Harbor Light Center. We must be vigilant against bias, and streamline cases to make them less cumbersome. Click here to contact our editorial staff, and click here to report an error. In the Army I was taught to never seek a promotion if you were not prepared to lead. text-decoration: none; A few of the experiences which prepared me for this role: 25 years representing people in civil rights, employment and business cases. Michigan is one of 43 states that hold elections for judicial positions. I have worked in the prosecutors office, as a judicial clerk, as a criminal defense attorney and currently as a public defender. He joins fellow judges Cedric Simpson and Anna Frushour in serving all 14A District Court matters. It is one of 105 district courts in Michigan. The law should not act in a vacuum without consideration for equity and compassion, even when the law requires punishment. 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. Being a Judge is an amazing opportunity to make a difference in peoples lives, and sometimes it just takes one person to believe in you for you to believe in yourself. The State via AP, Pool. Feaster Attorney at Law, PLLC, Ive dedicated my career to serving citizens in need with integrity, civility, and equity. If you purchase a product or register for an account through one of the links on our site, we may receive compensation. She is licensed in Michigan and the Eastern District of Michigan. Honorable Patrick J. Conlin Alex Murdaugh could face life in prison if he's convicted for the double murders of his wife and son. 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. 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. Darlene A. O'Brien is running for Probate Judge for Washtenaw County as a nonpartisan. From left to right: Amy Reiser, Nick Roumel and Tracy E. Van den Bergh. We can work closer with attorneys involved; my 20 years of leadership in our legal community will drive this process forward. Cookie Settings/Do Not Sell My Personal Information. By David Fair. As to matters of procedure, I will be guided by the Michigan Court rules. if(document.getElementsByClassName("reference").length==0) if(document.getElementById('Footnotes')!==null) document.getElementById('Footnotes').parentNode.style.display = 'none'; Ballotpedia features 395,432 encyclopedic articles written and curated by our professional staff of editors, writers, and researchers. I resigned in 2017 to try to make a change. We should question our methods, and if they dont make sense, work together for reform. 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. State and local courts | The material on this site may not be reproduced, distributed, transmitted, cached or otherwise used, except with the prior written permission of Advance Local. Reiser: My education provided several opportunities to gain experience both in the court system and providing for others. I am not afraid of hard work. color: white; The Circuit Court is a court of equity and I know how important that is. Feaster is a long-time defense attorney and public defender with years of experience representing members of the Washtenaw County community. Additional local ballot measures may also be included. What factors would you bring to bear in deciding a case? She was appointed by the Supreme Court to be the Chief Judge of the Washtenaw County Trial Court effective January 1, 2019. The Judge is the protector of a persons constitutional rights. My commitment to public service is a strong asset that I will bring to the bench. 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