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. I have tried hundreds of cases including drunk driving, domestic violence, sexual assault, stalking and homicide. (2) My background in social work and law uniquely qualifies me to administer programs that focus on solving problems for people, rather than simply processing cases. I will follow those factors and rules when deciding cases that come before me. Swartz plans to retire as his term expires in January 2021. 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. Jeff Blake. Collis: A judge must be independent and honorable when dispensing justice. 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. 2023 Advance Local Media LLC. In my nearly two decades of public service, I have practiced criminal law, employment law, contract law, civil rights law, civil litigation, drafted legislation and governmental department policies, advised clients across Washtenaws government entities, and authored hundreds of legal briefs. What have you achieved in your law practice that brings you the most pride? All rights reserved (About Us). The candidates running for the six-year judicial position are Marla Linderman Richelew and Arianne Elizabeth Slay. 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. Loading Do Not . I will hold this position in the utmost respect and regard as it is a privilege to be able to serve the community in this capacity. Do they reside with the victim, and if so, what changes (if any) need to be made to keep the victim safe? Slay: After receiving my B.A. There is also bias with regards to sentencing. About the Honorable Carol Kuhnke. Organizing this system so that it creates better outcomes and more convenient processes for litigants will also create a more streamlined and efficient process for all. 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. Election Results | Washtenaw County, MI Home Your Government Departments A-H Clerk / Register of Deeds Elections Election Results Archive Every election at your fingertips. Make your donation to WEMU todayto keep your community NPR station thriving. @media only screen and (max-width: 500px) { There is nothing more stressful than a judge deciding when, where, and under what circumstances you will see your children. Each candidate was asked to outline their stances on a variety of public policy issues listed below. Judges of the Michigan District Courts are each elected to six-year terms. We must be vigilant against bias, and streamline cases to make them less cumbersome. .sample-ballot-mobile-promo, .sample-ballot-mobile-promo a, .sample-ballot-mobile-promo a:hover { (3) I will bring social work interns into the courthouse, and train staff in de-escalation and trauma-informed engagement techniques. Barr is an assistant city attorney for Ypsilanti and private attorney for more than 22 years. Appeals from the Eastern District go to the United States Court of Appeals for the 6th Circuit. } What are your goals should you be elected and how will you work to accomplish them? See the Blue Angels soar at Thunder Over Michigan in Ypsilanti, Boy to remain with adoptive parents over birth father based on Michigan Supreme Court ruling, The Saline Twirlettes are finally heading to the world championships. Loading. 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. Karl V. Fink (Ret.). (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. A searchable database of historical election information, all from official source documents. I am most thankful for helping thousands, throughout my career, to put their legal problems behind them with some measure of justice. How to vote | Prior to that role, she prosecuted domestic violence cases in the Washtenaw County Prosecutors Office. 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. On a daily basis, I evaluate the facts of cases, apply the law, and make judgments on how to proceed. I have handled divorces, felonies, business disputes, wrongful death, employment cases, and negligence. Ive learned that everyone is fighting some kind of battle, and they just want to be heard. Spelling and grammar were not corrected. I also have a decade of experience in psychology, crisis intervention, and education to better serve clients who have suffered trauma. 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. 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. Finally, it should not contain errors such as misspelled names, inaccurate incumbency labels, or incorrect political party affiliations. State executives | Publication of candidate statements and opinions is solely in the interest of public service and should NOT be considered as an endorsement. My court will be fair, impartial and compassionate. What are the priority issues facing this court, and how would you address them if elected? I am in court nearly every day and I see the flaws and areas for improvement. Click here to contact our editorial staff, and click here to report an error. I will do that by trying to be a different kind of judge. Reiser: My career as an Assistant Prosecuting Attorney has involved representing victims of some very horrific crimes, many of these victims are children who have been abused and adults who have been marginalized by society. 100% remote. As to matters of procedure, I will be guided by the Michigan Court rules. 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. } Expertise in voting rights as a lawyer and election worker. For more information about me, please go to www.marlaforjudge.org. The top two vote-getters will go on to compete in the November general election. It is of the utmost importance that the citizens of this community be heard and get a fair treatment in my courtroom. I have volunteered with seniors, teens in crisis, disabled adults, and at-risk students. While African Americans only make up 13% of the county population, we made up over 70% of criminal defendants. ), Questions? The people of Washtenaw County are served by the Michigan Third District Court of Appeals, a circuit court, district court, and probate court. 2022 Election Results: Washtenaw County Judicial Races By David Fair Published November 9, 2022 at 11:17 AM EST Arianne Elizabeth Slay of Ypsilanti won election to a six-year term in 22 nd District Circuit Court with nearly 71-percent of the vote. I am the only candidate who has prosecuted, defended and practiced both sides of civil cases in the 14A2 District Court. A candidate must be a qualified elector, a resident of the judicial circuit, a lawyer who has been licensed to practice law for at least five years, and under 70 years of age. School districts | Persuaded the Michigan Department of Civil Rights to change their intake process and start allowing individuals to file their own civil rights complaints. Published August 3, 2022 at 2:34 AM EDT. I believe in rehabilitation, restoration, and protection, and that resolutions that incorporate these principles provide for better dispositions over time. Consolidation of services is especially critical in this day of scarce governmental resources. Use of and/or registration on any portion of this site constitutes acceptance of our User Agreement, Privacy Policy and Cookie Statement, and Your Privacy Choices and Rights (each updated 1/26/2023). Your justice will not be delayed. 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. color: white; This experience will transfer to the bench and makes me the most qualified candidate. Michigan is one of 43 states that hold elections for judicial positions. She was appointed by the Supreme Court to be the Chief Judge of the Washtenaw County Trial Court effective January 1, 2019. My diverse educational background and my extensive professional experiences will provide that for all parties involved. In Dexter Township, Republican Tara Guenther was unopposed in her bid to win a partial term as Township trustee. Van den Bergh: I believe that the U.S. Constitution is a living document and I believe in equal access to justice. You will never be a case or a number. From left to right: Amy Reiser, Nick Roumel and Tracy E. Van den Bergh. Federal courts | What is your general judicial philosophy? State legislature | A Judges orders can significantly impact a persons life, and so the Judge needs to be cognizant and empathetic in issuing those orders. Great judges must have breadth and depth of experience. To see complete election results from all statewide races and from other parts of Michigan, click here. What have you achieved in your law practice that brings you the most pride? I will use my experience as a seasoned litigator and certified mediator to help good people make their own peace, and move on with new resolve and even hope. 3. You can contact your state or local election administrator for an official sample ballot. Use of and/or registration on any portion of this site constitutes acceptance of our User Agreement, Privacy Policy and Cookie Statement, and Your Privacy Choices and Rights (each updated 1/26/2023). Because when people have a problem, they need a voice. Tribal elections are not included. Each candidate was given a list of questions relevant to the office for which they are campaigning. What are your goals should you be elected and how will you work to accomplish them? Roumel: Ive spent my entire career helping people have a voice. There are big picture disparities across our county that should, at the very least, be understood and potentially considered when overseeing cases because the judicial system is intended to benefit both the litigant and the public fairly. Elections in 2023 | You can unsubscribe at any time and we will never share your information. If you are a user of our Sample Ballot, and you are experiencing problems using it or notice any accuracy issue of any kind at all, it would be a huge help to our future readers and users if you would send us a note telling us about the problem. It is one of 105 district courts in Michigan. Whether the case is civil or criminal in nature, I am committed to understanding the facts and the law behind each decision. Feaster: My judicial philosophy is shaped by being fair, consistent and respectful. 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. Feaster: The system has failed the community in many ways from jury diversity to sentencing. color: #0B406A; 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. The State via AP, Pool. } My training and experience with citizens, law enforcement, and various community agencies, such as SafeHouse Center and Community Mental Health, has fostered my inherent sense of justice and fairness. The voter guide can be accessed at vote411.org. Main article: Michigan intermediate appellate court elections, 2020 Judges with expiring terms This is a list of the justices who had to stand for nonpartisan election in 2020 in order to remain on the bench. This may include specialized ways of handling mental health, domestic aggression, and sobriety cases. As a judge, I will work hard to level the playing field for all litigants. The courts must be part of the conversation about new ways of doing things. Your individual circumstances will be considered. Skip to Main Content. Spelling and grammar were not corrected. I am a frequent guest lecturer from elementary through law school. What in your education and experience make you the best qualified candidate for this position? The League never supports or opposes any candidates or political parties. As to matters of law, I will maintain the highest standards of case and legislative review practices, as I have over my career. 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. And Ill work to increase the availability and accessibility of these tools in Washtenaw. 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. My entire career, both as a social worker and as a lawyer, has been dedicated to advocating for, and improving the lives, of vulnerable community members. Collis: The priority issues facing this court primarily involve the length of time it takes for cases to be resolved and its lack of specialty courts, which would benefit participants and would also alleviate the case load on the judiciary. I have practiced in every court in Washtenaw County, as well as courts in Monroe, Wayne, Lenawee and Livingston Counties. Cookie Settings/Do Not Sell My Personal Information. Use of and/or registration on any portion of this site constitutes acceptance of our User Agreement, Privacy Policy and Cookie Statement, and Your Privacy Choices and Rights (each updated 1/26/2023). The Defendant has the constitutional right to have a criminal matter decided by a Jury. Federal courts | I will do my utmost to conduct myself and the court in a manner that will create that trust and respect. On. The 22nd Circuit Court is the main trial court for the residents of Washtenaw County, handling civil, criminal, and family court matters. The race decided who will fill the open spot on the bench created by Judge Kirk Tabbeys retirement. We also provide race overviews if you want additional background information. I have represented many survivors of sexual assault, including those victimized by Larry Nassar and MSU. 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. I will make the courtroom process less stressful, knowing that the people who appear before me may be going through trauma. View 14B District Court Proceedings: Judge Erane C. Washington Search 14B District Court 14B District Court Reiser: Often times the law provides specific factors to consider or rules of evidence to follow when deciding a case. All rights reserved (About Us). Your voice will be heard. I will run my caseload effectively, and I will take the time to listen to the facts of every case. DOWNLOAD THE APP I helped organize a national housing conference, fought against school vouchers, and anti-LGBTQ discrimination. And if I see something is not right, I will work to make it right. Collis: Judges are required to rule based upon the law, but it is important that these laws are fair and equitable to all parties. Roumel: We cannot ignore what is happening nationally. If elected, I would work with my colleagues on the circuit court bench to implement specialty courts and expand services available to those involved in the court system. 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. font-size: 12px; I have published numerous articles, on first offenders and expungement, immigrant rights, and seeking damages in family law cases. I will aim to foster justice and healing within the purview of the law, and build trust in our justice system from all members of our community, no matter their race, religion, gender, or sexual orientation. Roumel: I have strived to be on the right side of issues, fighting for people who dont usually have a voice. SBM Diversity Advisor. My experience will ensure that no matter what type of case, no issue will be new to me. background: grey; Decisions should include thoughtful reasoning and the law relied on for the result. In the race for a six-year term in 14-A District Court, Karl Barr of Ann Arbor garnered nearly 58-percent voter support to win a seat on the bench. Statewide election results on this website go back to 1980. Armstrong: If there is a bench trial and the judge is the finder of fact, you must determine whether or not the prosecution or the plaintiff has proven its case by the appropriate burden of proof, following the applicable jury instructions, court rules, and statutes. "Washtenaw County judge announces early retirement," May 1, 2014; As we discuss police reform, we must also reimagine our judicial system. Arianne has a well-rounded resume and is a career public servant. 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]. 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. The Michigan general election is coming up on November 3, 2020. It is vitally important that the public have trust and respect for the judicial system and that the law is applied equally. YouTubes privacy policy is available here and YouTubes terms of service is available here. Washtenaw County Sample Ballot (Michigan), Click here to read about the Eight Quality Benchmarks, Ballot access for major/minor party candidates, Ballot access for major and minor party candidates, List of absentee/mail-in ballot request websites by state, List of official voter registration websites by state, https://ballotpedia.org/wiki/index.php?title=Washtenaw_County_Sample_Ballot_(Michigan)&oldid=8384260, Conflicts in school board elections, 2021-2022, Special Congressional elections (2023-2024), 2022 Congressional Competitiveness Report, State Executive Competitiveness Report, 2022, State Legislative Competitiveness Report, 2022, Partisanship in 2022 United States local elections. Initial considerations are whether the case is criminal or civil and what is the appropriate burden of proof. | Continue to improve transparency and accountability. Courts are too often a barrier to justice for people of color, those with mental health issues, and litigants without means. This is why my extensive legal experiences, deep local knowledge, and commitment to judicial equity are crucial to this judgeship. 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. Judge Carol Kuhnke was elected by the voters of Washtenaw County in 2012 and took the bench on January 1, 2013. What factors do you bring to bear in deciding a case? 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. "Official Election Results: 14A District Court Judge" (November 19, 2018) Washtenaw County Michigan. Michigan is one of 43 states that hold elections for judicial positions. Co-Chair of JFS Washtenaw Integrated Senior Experience (WISE). padding-top: 0; This opens communication about procedural and community issues so everyone involved in these important roles can work together in a collaborative way, the community is best protected and their concerns be heard. He joins fellow judges Cedric Simpson and Anna Frushour in serving all 14A District Court matters. letter-spacing: 1.24px; The candidates running for the. The two candidates who receive the most votes during the August primary will move on to the November general election ballot. Judges should not make the process harder. 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. Elections in 2023 | Slay: Ive seen how broken the system is. 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