What life experiences have prepared you for the job?  

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People want to know that the Judge on the bench has been there and done that, and walked a lot of dusty miles to sit in that chair.  Not only do I have experience trying cases in both Criminal and Civil court, I bring a lot of life experience to the job as well. As the commercial says, "I know  a lot because I've seen a lot".  My mother died when I was 8 years old and I grew up in a single parent household with an older brother and two older sisters.  I started in the labor force at age 10 delivering papers, mowing lawns and shoveling snow.  I worked myself through school with factory and farm jobs and earned an undergraduate degree in Engineering.  I have lived and worked in seven states alongside persons of every race, creed, color and socio-economic status.  I am a lifelong active member of the Catholic Church and have been happily married to my wife Jacqueline for 31 years.  Together we raised three children in Washington County.  I have practiced a wide variety of law and have many years of business and management experience.  I am your candidate with the most comprehensive and diverse work experience and skill set to bring to the role and put to work as District Court judge for the people of Washington County.

 

What uniquely qualifies you for this position?

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With 31 years of practice in a wide variety of legal disciplines, I have the most diverse and well-rounded legal experience in this race.  After graduating from Arkansas, I began my career as a prosecutor right her in Washington County, and was ina courtroom nearly every day, either trying cases or handline hearings and pleas in both Circuit and Juvenile court.  I then moved to Philadelphia for a trial practice focused on Products Liability, Workers Compensation and Insurance Defense Litigation.  Later on I was heavily immersed in a Corporate Contracts, Licensing and Mergers and Acquisitions practice. Fourteen years ago I took and passed the Patent Bar and am a licensed Patent and Trademark Attorney.  I also handle cases in Fayetteville District Court.

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Why do you want the job?

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Simply stated, I am passionate about serving my community and leaving the word a better place.  I was taught at a very young age that working hard, telling the truth, and serve to family -and to the community - is extremely important.  My parents led by example and I am committed to working to make a positive impact for the greater good.  After years of thougt and prayer on how to best put my education, trading and experience to work for the public trust, I keep coming back to the role of District Judge.  I am running because I see Springdale District Court as an opportunity to make a real and positive difference in the safety and well-being of Washington County.

Ethics, honest, integrity, diplomacy, compassion and treating people with respect were paramount to my successful legal and business career.  I will bring those same attributes to the bench, along with common sense and the proper Judicial Temperament i.e. ability to apply the law to the facts and to understand how a judicial decision will affect the human beings appearing before the court.

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What will you do to keep your docket moving so that people can have their day in court in a timely and efficient manner?

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Justice delayed is justice denied.  My goal and promise is to work hard to make District Court accessible, efficient, and responsive to our community.  I will start by listening, learning and observing in order to fully understand current processes and procedures.  I am sure that they are set up and in place for good reason however, it is possible that over time or with technology advancements, some may need to be updated or improved.  I will use my corporate experience and use a variety of software technologies to assists the availability of any new tools to assist or improve docket management and the movement and resolutions litigants cases as quickly a possible.

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What kinds of alternative or diversion programs would you consider? How can you improve outcomes for those who appear before you?

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I want to help people, not ruin lives. Good people make mistakes and they should be given help and some consideration where it is a one-off with little chance of happening again.  I will seek alternatives to incarceration in order to monitor and hold guilty parties accountable for their actions. 

As circumstances warrant, these could include mandated restitution, payment of fines, community service, probation, victim impact panels, evaluation and assessment substance abuse treatment and therapy.  It is to our advantage to identify "high risk" persons and try to intervene early with diversion programs and counseling services before they go too far in the wrong direction.

We can look at implementing a DWI Court in Washington County.  Their purpose is to protect public safety by working to break the cycle of the hard core repeat offenders, monitor them closely and get them into treatment.  The alternate for these people is jail, which cost the taxpayer and doesn't solve long term addiction problem.  Without addressing the underlying problem it is only a matter of time before they are released from jail, get behind the wheel and possibly injure or kill innocent people.

An enhanced Probation Program could also be explored.  They offer a way to monitor/supervise folks and ensure they complete their sentence, pay their fines, remain drug/alcohol-free, keep a job, support their families, etc.  It can also benefit the county by providing workers to their trash pickup, recycling programs, public parks or highway cleanup/beautification, etc.  Successful completion allows offenders to avoid jail and be released from probation early.

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What qualities should a good judge have and qualities would you bring to the bench?

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I understand the lasting impacts the Court's decisions have on litigants and their families.  Running a courtroom requires someone who has the ability to listen, the patience to attend to details and the compassion to help those which are oftentimes dealing with life-altering and emotional issues.

The conduct and manner of a judge should promote public confidence in the integrity and impartiality of the judiciary without regard to a person's race, gender, or other personal characteristics.  A judge should treat every person fairly and with courtesy and respect, regardless of the situation.

The courts are for the benefit of the public and the litigants, not for the judiciary.  My role is to interpret the law within the framework of the U.S. and Arkansas Constitutions and not to legislate new policies or make new law from the bench.

In addition to common sense, honesty, integrity and compassion, I have the experience, intelligence, temperament and courage to get things done fairly, consistently and efficiently.  I pride myself on being able to listen to both sides objectively and to carefully consider all the facts before making impartial decisions.