My record of community service is second to none. Co-Chair of JFS Washtenaw Integrated Senior Experience (WISE). I have helped almost 1500 workers with unemployment matters in the last year. . 100 largest cities in America by population, United States District Court for the Eastern District of Michigan, United States Court of Appeals for the 6th Circuit, Michigan Fifteenth Judicial District Court, Michigan local trial court judicial elections, 2023, Michigan local trial court judicial elections, 2022, Michigan local trial court judicial elections, 2021, Michigan local trial court judicial elections, 2020, Michigan local trial court judicial elections, 2019, Michigan local trial court judicial elections, 2018, Michigan local trial court judicial elections, 2017, Michigan local trial court judicial elections, 2016, https://ballotpedia.org/wiki/index.php?title=Washtenaw_County,_Michigan_(Judicial)&oldid=7674745, 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. 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. Van den Bergh: I believe that the U.S. Constitution is a living document and I believe in equal access to justice. My unique background has trained me to navigate the unique familial and interpersonal issues involved in family law cases, and will be critical in allowing me to reach the most just legal decision possible. As judge, I would have more compassion for people struggling to pay fines and seek to waive fines or order community service in lieu of fines. State executives | Work to ensure the Circuit Court has every problem-solving court available, including Mental Health Courts for Juveniles and Adults ASAP. I am here for you and look forward to making a difference in our community. Swartz plans to retire as his term expires in January 2021. Expertise in voting rights as a lawyer and election worker. Non-commercial, fact based reporting is made possible by your financial support. I have published numerous articles, on first offenders and expungement, immigrant rights, and seeking damages in family law cases. I have been a practicing attorney for 26 years, 20 of them in Washtenaw County. To learn more about judicial selection in Michigan, click here. I had some impact on the cases assigned to me, but it was not enough to turn the tides. Feaster is a long-time defense attorney and public defender with years of experience representing members of the Washtenaw County community. 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. Finally, it should not contain errors such as misspelled names, inaccurate incumbency labels, or incorrect political party affiliations. Because when people have a problem, they need a voice. I will support specialty courts and restorative justice programs as these address an individuals underlying problems, reduce recidivism, stabilize families, and improve lives. U.S. Congress | Consolidation of services is especially critical in this day of scarce governmental resources. Richelew: Courts are here to serve the people. 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; MLive.com File Photo.MLive.com File Photo. Michigan is one of 43 states that hold elections for judicial positions. Candidates in this contest and votes received: Julia B. Owdziej (54.0%), Tracy Van den Bergh (45.4%), All Other Votes (0.6%), Total Votes Cast (0.0%), and Total Ballots Cast (0.0%). What in your education and experience make you the best qualified candidate for this position? If you purchase a product or register for an account through one of the links on our site, we may receive compensation. You can contact your state or local election administrator for an official sample ballot. Barr: I believe in the Constitution and the Rule of Law. 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. 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. The seat covers all district court matters for Washtenaw County except for the city of Ann Arbor and Ypsilanti Township. 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. WEMU offered the opportunity for any candidate appearing on a ballot in Washtenaw County in the 2018 general election to submit a campaign message directly to our audience. I will use restorative and rehabilitative processes and offer them to all who enter my courtroom. We also provide race overviews if you want additional background information. I also have a decade of experience in psychology, crisis intervention, and education to better serve clients who have suffered trauma. Judges must not only uphold and apply the law, they are also required to perform all judicial duties fairly and impartially. 2023 Advance Local Media LLC. I helped organize a national housing conference, fought against school vouchers, and anti-LGBTQ discrimination. I will do my utmost to conduct myself and the court in a manner that will create that trust and respect. Download the mobile app to save your choices. Roumel: There is a science and art to deciding cases. (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. For more information about me, please go to www.marlaforjudge.org. We need to have judges who will fight the status quo. Armstrong: I plan to enact criminal justice reform measures focusing on rehabilitation over incarceration and individualized treatment to reach the core issue or trauma in order to reduce recidivism. Restoration and rehabilitation tools can bring critical help to people in need. 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. } Counties | ), Questions? 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. Once the root cause is addressed, the person is much less likely to reoffend. If elected, she will be the only woman of color on the Washtenaw County Circuit Court Bench. Barr could not be immediately reached for comment. Served my community, with now-Justice Welch, helping 1000+ workers with their COVID and unemployment rights. We can work closer with attorneys involved; my 20 years of leadership in our legal community will drive this process forward. She currently serves as Presiding Judge of the Juvenile Division. 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 The. Skyline PTSO President. Hon. As we discuss police reform, we must also reimagine our judicial system. 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). How to run for office | The material on this site may not be reproduced, distributed, transmitted, cached or otherwise used, except with the prior written permission of Advance Local. Paid for by Arianne Slay for Judge. Feaster: The system has failed the community in many ways from jury diversity to sentencing. Here are 8 big revelations from the Alex Murdaugh murder trial. 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]. Expungement and Road to Restoration Volunteer. 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. 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. What have you achieved in your law practice that brings you the most pride? Barr: Each case is unique and as a judge there are many, many considerations that need to be made to not only protect Defendants constitutional rights, but keep victims safe. Courtrooms are not welcoming - the forms can be confusing, and it requires the use of an entire book to explain the rules on how to appear before the court. I bring expertise in the diverse areas of law decided by the Circuit Court and understanding in how the civil, criminal, business, family, juvenile, and probate dockets are all intertwined. What factors do you bring to bear in deciding a case? Corporate Crimes and Economic Justice Taskforce Member (Washtenaw). Thank you for using Ballotpedia's sample ballot tool. Related: Election results for the Nov. 8 general election in Ann Arbor, Washtenaw County. As an Assistant Prosecuting Attorney, I have an ethical obligation to seek justice, not just for the victim but also to ensure that the case is handled appropriately and within the limits provided by law. A Judge can be the one to give a person a second chance, which can change their path and their future in positive ways. Click on your candidates to read their biography, view past election results, read their campaign themes and responses to our candidate survey, and more. As a senior litigator for the MI Attorney Generals office, I have handled multiple complex cases, ranging from childrens rights to constitutional claims. Chief judge Kirk Tabbey of Washtenaw County Court 14A is retiring at the end of the year, and four candidates are vying for his seat in the August primary. The following is a little nonpartisan voter guide that I compiled, based on the ballot for Ann Arbor. 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. There is nothing more stressful than a judge deciding when, where, and under what circumstances you will see your children. The candidates running for the six-year judicial position are Fawn Armstrong, Karl Barr, Stuart Collis and Torchio Feaster. 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. Ive heard cases on blight and enforced city ordinances designed to eliminate blight problems while simultaneously working with residents to make the city a cleaner, brighter and better place. What is your general judicial philosophy? I would work to avoid bias and ensure equity in my sentencing. Here is how each candidate responded to the questions. | It should also include every candidate running in those elections, except write-ins. County and Local election results on this website go back to 1999. 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. Archie Cameron Brown is a judge for the 22nd Circuit Court in Washtenaw County, Michigan. Like 89.1WEMUonFacebookand follow us onTwitter, Contact WEMU News at734.487.3363or email us atstudio@wemu.org, Serving Ypsilanti, Ann Arbor and Washtenaw County, MI, PublishedNovember 9, 2022 at 11:17 AM EST. It also wont be rushed. I have practiced in every court in Washtenaw County, as well as courts in Monroe, Wayne, Lenawee and Livingston Counties. The Judge is the protector of a persons constitutional rights. Click here to contact our editorial staff, and click here to report an error. Janet Dillon received 2994 votes, Dean Girbach 2904 votes, and Christen Mitchell 2711 votes, with 53 write-ins. 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]. Justice delayed by COVID is still justice denied. It is important to remember, however, that every person involved in these cases needs support. 100% remote. I know that the court system doesnt work fairly for everyone and I want to change that. Armstrong took the most votes followed by Barr. 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. Ballot measures, Who represents me? The material on this site may not be reproduced, distributed, transmitted, cached or otherwise used, except with the prior written permission of Advance Local. I also have a significant federal court practice - critical because Michigan this year adopted the federal court rules. Slay: The hallmark of a good judge is the ability to decide every case which comes before them with the individualized attention each community member deserves. What are your goals should you be elected and how will you work to accomplish them? First time offenders of all types come through the district court; many of which start with misdemeanor offenses or low-level felonies. [4], If two or more candidates in a race receive the same number of votes, the election is to be decided by lot. Richelew: Our courts should work effectively for every single one of us. Feaster: As a Washtenaw County Public Defender and the Founder of T.W. To learn more about judicial selection in Michigan, click here. Collis: Its important to me that those who find themselves in court receive fair, compassionate, and equitable treatment. Van den Bergh: I take pride in my extensive litigation experience and use of my MSW to benefit vulnerable clients. I created the City of Ypsilantis Administrative Hearings Bureau. Spelling and grammar were not corrected. Statewide election results on this website go back to 1980. The candidates running for the. 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 am the only candidate so named. Published August 3, 2022 at 2:34 AM EDT. As to matters of procedure, I will be guided by the Michigan Court rules. border: none !important; My decisions will be well reasoned, researched, and made in a timely and respectful manner. Helped 1000+ attorneys, small businesses and non-profits survive COVID. 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. Collis: Everyone who comes before this District Court deserves to have an experienced and well-versed judge presiding over their concerns. 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. Feaster: My judicial philosophy is shaped by being fair, consistent and respectful. 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. Cookie Settings/Do Not Sell My Personal Information. Justices could choose not to stand for election. 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. My specializations include commercial law, criminal defense, traffic, mediation, and family/divorce. Slay defeated Marla Linderman Richelew of Ann Arbor. Roumel: I have strived to be on the right side of issues, fighting for people who dont usually have a voice. He was appointed to this position by former Governor John Engler on March 18, 1999, to replace Judge Kurtis Wilder. You can unsubscribe at any time and we will never share your information. What is your general judicial philosophy? I am most thankful for helping thousands, throughout my career, to put their legal problems behind them with some measure of justice. Armstrong: The 14A District Court Judge elected here would most likely be assigned to 14A-2 District Court, which is in Ypsilanti, MI. SBM Diversity Advisor. Apply today! Judges should be caring and invested in the lives of not just the people that come before the Court, but also the people of their community. Decisions should include thoughtful reasoning and the law relied on for the result. My greatest pride is giving these victims a voice. Do they reside with the victim, and if so, what changes (if any) need to be made to keep the victim safe? padding-top: 0; 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). Slay defeated Marla Linderman Richelew of Ann Arbor. She advances to the November ballot and there is no Democratic opposition. Arianne has a well-rounded resume and is a career public servant. I will be there to serve you. 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. Unemployment matters in the Constitution and the Founder of T.W have you achieved in your education and experience you. 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