Sedgwick County Judgeships
2008-11-01 11:49:00
District Court Judge - Division 27
Answer: This is my 14th year of practicing law in district court. As a Deputy Public Defender, I appear in court daily, often for multiple hearings in different courtrooms. I’ve tried about 75 cases to a jury, and appeared for hundreds of other hearings. I believe that experience in district court is far more important than practicing law in municipal courts, which are not courts of record, which do not allow for jury trials and cannot hear felony cases. District court is far more demanding of attorneys in their knowledge of the law, handling the pressures of very serious (felony) charges that often carry far more serious consequences, and district court is significantly more stressful in effectively representing people.
Every word I say in court is recorded, my cross examination of witnesses has been quoted in published opinions, and I’m proud to say that appellate courts have overturned rulings and corrected a mistake made against my client in district court, and in one case, resulted in the release of my client from prison one year earlier than he otherwise would have served. Trying cases to a jury is also very demanding and stressful, and something I have become quite accustomed to. Dealing out traffic violations or whether a second DUI offender will serve 2 days or 5 in jail simply does NOT compare to the work trial attorneys do in district court.
I also cover the court docket for our office daily every other month, which requires a lot of organizational skills, and I have assisted in managing an office with a staff of 35, including 23 other attorneys.
My courtroom experience in district court is thorough and extensive as is my experience trying cases from felony DUI charges to trying about a dozen homicide cases. I am well-organized and can effectively manage a staff.
I am a member of All Saints Catholic Church and volunteer my time by speaking to groups of young people about the serious consequences they will face as adults of criminal action and imprisonment for what many juveniles consider merely reckless fun.
Question: What do you see as the top issues facing the candidates in your race, and how would you address those issues?
Answer: Experience, judicial temperament, a strong work ethic, fair and equal treatment and respect, dignity, courtesy and compassion to everyone who appears in court, and the ability to listen carefully to all parties with an open mind. I will not come to the bench with an agenda or any particular mission or message, but will be guided solely by the law and uninfluenced by the various competing interests or my personal and religious beliefs.
