While African Americans only make up 13% of the county population, we made up over 70% of criminal defendants. 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. Frequent writer and speaker on vital legal issues. Work with the legal community to reduce the COVID backlog of court cases expeditiously. To learn more about judicial selection in Michigan, click here. 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. He was appointed to the bench by former Governor John Engler in March 1997, filling the vacancy created by the resignation of the Hon. 100% remote. 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. Send the note to: editor@ballotpedia.org. What are the priority issues facing this court, and how would you address them if elected? A Judges orders can significantly impact a persons life, and so the Judge needs to be cognizant and empathetic in issuing those orders. Every case will be handled efficiently and with compassion. and J.D. Ill work hard to get all of the facts and ascertain the law in every case. They have the right to an attorney, and the right to remain silent. Feaster: My main goal is to reduce the publics reliance on the criminal court system, by reducing recidivism. Thus, district court has an opportunity to redirect legal newcomers who are found guilty to rehabilitation programs or other supportive services. 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. MLive/The Ann Arbor News partnered with the nonpartisan League of Women Voters of Michigan to provide candidate information for readers. 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. Once a trial on a particular case begins, factors such as the elements of the crime, credibility of witnesses and evaluating bias come into play. What have you achieved in your law practice that brings you the most pride? 2023 Advance Local Media LLC. 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. I would work to avoid bias and ensure equity in my sentencing. The 22nd Circuit Court is the main trial court for the residents of Washtenaw County, handling civil, criminal, and family court matters. 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. All rights reserved (About Us). Vote the non-partisan ballot and elect Nick Roumel for Judge. School districts | Here are 8 big revelations from the Alex Murdaugh murder trial. Cookie Settings/Do Not Sell My Personal Information. I have three years of Appellate experience, writing briefs for the Michigan Court of Appeals and the Michigan Supreme Court and I have presented multiple oral arguments before the Court of Appeals. Appeals from the Eastern District go to the United States Court of Appeals for the 6th Circuit. My specializations include commercial law, criminal defense, traffic, mediation, and family/divorce. Since 1999, I have served as an Assistant Prosecuting Attorney. 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. } 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. Since then, I have worked to re-prioritize the criminal justice reform in Ann Arbor to focus on rehabilitation, moving away from the punitive system. Roumel: Having practiced 36 years, I am the only candidate with extensive experience in family, civil, and criminal law, and the only one to have conducted civil and criminal jury trials. I resigned in 2017 to try to make a change. Cookie Settings/Do Not Sell My Personal Information. We need to have judges who will fight the status quo. A few of the experiences which prepared me for this role: 25 years representing people in civil rights, employment and business cases. YouTubes privacy policy is available here and YouTubes terms of service is available here. 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. Hon. I will expand the use of Specialty Court programs that focus on rehabilitation, community support and reduction of recidivism. 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. What factors do you bring to bear in deciding a case? The candidates running for the six-year judicial position are Marla Linderman Richelew and Arianne Elizabeth Slay. Key critical areas that I would address with these stakeholders would be: Mental Health Services and Support Substance Abuse Resources Equitable Education Lack of Employment Age Appropriate Sentencing - (Treat Kids Like Kids). Great judges work hard, inside and outside of the courtroom, driven by commitment and compassion. 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. In disputes that come before the court, it will be my job to help parties find that common ground. As we discuss police reform, we must also reimagine our judicial system. Click here to contact our editorial staff, and click here to report an error. Interns wanted: Get paid to help ensure that every voter has unbiased election information. Interns wanted: Get paid to help ensure that every voter has unbiased election information. Your individual circumstances will be considered. What is your general judicial philosophy? As a judge, I will be respectful of all litigants that come before me. U.S. Congress | Federal courts | He joins fellow judges Cedric Simpson and Anna Frushour in serving all 14A District Court matters. From a personal and practical standpoint, I will strive to be fair with regards to sentencing as the punishment must fit the crime while being consistent and sentencing without bias. Her practice areas include general civil, contracts, transactional, criminal and labor law. I believe my knowledge of the community and life experiences give me a deep understanding of the human elements that play into cases. This county is outside of that coverage scope and does not receive scheduled updates. YouTubes privacy policy is available here and YouTubes terms of service is available here. 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. 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. I will endeavor to make sure the courtroom is a place that each person feels respected, regardless of what issue brought them into court. The Michigan general election is coming up on November 3, 2020. I have handled divorces, felonies, business disputes, wrongful death, employment cases, and negligence. I also clerked for a federal judge and interned for the Wayne County Prosecutor's Office. Each candidate was given a list of questions relevant to the office for which they are campaigning. The material on this site may not be reproduced, distributed, transmitted, cached or otherwise used, except with the prior written permission of Advance Local. 1.0 1.1 Michigan Courts, "Washtenaw County," accessed July 11, 2014; Timothy P. Connors is a judge for the Twenty-Second Circuit Court of Michigan in Washtenaw County. 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. Federal courts | Publication of candidate statements and opinions is solely in the interest of public service and should NOT be considered as an endorsement. [1], What's on my ballot? Counties | WASHTENAW COUNTY, MI - Four Washtenaw County attorneys are vying for a chance to be the next 14A District Court Judge in the upcoming Aug. 2 primary. Richelew: Judges do not get to pick the issues they confront. partnered with the League of Women Voters. MLive/The Ann Arbor News partnered with the nonpartisan League of Women Voters of Michigan to provide candidate information for readers. 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. 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. Justices could choose not to stand for election. I am counsel for many labor unions, from skilled trades to professional educators. Collis is a Washtenaw County attorney with more than 25 years of litigating cases. 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. Roumel: There is a science and art to deciding cases. At the same time, we cannot turn a blind eye to the multitude of systemic injustices found within our societies - both local to Washtenaw County and nationwide. Roumel: Ive spent my entire career helping people have a voice. Barr is an assistant city attorney for Ypsilanti and private attorney for more than 22 years. Consolidation of services is especially critical in this day of scarce governmental resources. Each candidate was asked to outline their stances on a variety of public policy issues listed below. This experience will transfer to the bench and makes me the most qualified candidate. What in your education and experience make you the best qualified candidate for this position? I have practiced in every court in Washtenaw County, as well as courts in Monroe, Wayne, Lenawee and Livingston Counties. I have worked in the prosecutors office, as a judicial clerk, as a criminal defense attorney and currently as a public defender. Fawn Armstrong and Karl Barr were the top two vote-getters in the non-partisan primary Tuesday, meaning they will run-off against one another in the general election. Two are in private practice in Ypsilanti, and two work for the county. Judges of the Michigan District Courts are each elected to six-year terms. 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]. I also have a decade of experience in psychology, crisis intervention, and education to better serve clients who have suffered trauma. Sample Ballot Frequently Asked Questions, Click here to read more about our testing methodology. Ballot measures, Who represents me? 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. The Washtenaw County Democratic Party is hosting an online panel for candidates for the non-partisan and currently vacant District Court position in District 14A, which includes the Manchester area and will appear on Manchester area general election ballots in November. Shut down an environmental polluter in Washtenaw. The voter guide can be accessed at vote411.org. Interns wanted: Get paid to help ensure that every voter has unbiased election information. If you purchase a product or register for an account through one of the links on our site, we may receive compensation. Learn more Explore the Data Van den Bergh: My goal is to further equal access to justice using a number of devices. Furthermore, diversity in representation of lawyers, judges, and other officials helps to build trust. 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%). I have very strong ethics and I would not prejudge any case. Justice delayed by COVID is still justice denied. How to vote | My record of community service is second to none. I am a Veteran, serving the US Army Reserves for 8 years with one tour of duty in Iraq. color: white; 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. Peacekeeping, restorative justice, and other forms of alternative dispute can also be valuable tools to help parties find their own justice. Additionally, I have practiced in every treatment court in Washtenaw County. In general, the circuit court handles all civil cases with claims of more than $25,000 and all felony criminal cases. Building trust in our justice system is a priority. The rule of law is a set of principles and ideals, for ensuring an orderly and just society and that no one is above the law. Cookie Settings/Do Not Sell My Personal Information. Archie Cameron Brown is a judge for the 22nd Circuit Court in Washtenaw County, Michigan. The material on this site may not be reproduced, distributed, transmitted, cached or otherwise used, except with the prior written permission of Advance Local. It should also include every candidate running in those elections, except write-ins. font-size: 12px; Publication of candidate statements and opinions is solely in the interest of public service and should NOT be considered as an endorsement. I know that the court system doesnt work fairly for everyone and I want to change that. The Judge is the protector of a persons constitutional rights. I am dedicated to this community and I will be fair. They are competing for an open spot on the bench created by Judge Archie Browns retirement. We should question our methods, and if they dont make sense, work together for reform. Represent a group of Bipartisan Legislators protecting the right to home health care for the traumatically injured. They must partner with other government agencies, universities, and non-profits to bring holistic, wrap-around services. I have volunteered with seniors, teens in crisis, disabled adults, and at-risk students. 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. I helped organize a national housing conference, fought against school vouchers, and anti-LGBTQ discrimination. What is your general judicial philosophy? A justice system in which individuals forfeit rights because they lack an attorneyrather than due to the lack of a factually or legally sound caseis unacceptable. Your justice will not be delayed. People here are also concerned about gun violence and drugs, which needs to be taken seriously to ensure that people feel safe. | .mobile-app-cta:hover { 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). Most importantly, the voice of the child will be paramount in my court. Armstrong is an assistant prosecuting attorney with the Washtenaw County Prosecutors Office and U.S. Army veteran. I will do that by trying to be a different kind of judge. Courtrooms look much as they did 100 years ago. 2023 Advance Local Media LLC. (3) I will bring social work interns into the courthouse, and train staff in de-escalation and trauma-informed engagement techniques. I will support specialty courts and restorative justice programs as these address an individuals underlying problems, reduce recidivism, stabilize families, and improve lives. Use my expertise in civil rights to identify and eliminate unnecessary hurdles and inequities faced by so many, in civil and criminal cases alike, and work to build trust in the legal system. 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. We strive for our sample ballot tool to be 100% accurate. 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. I had some impact on the cases assigned to me, but it was not enough to turn the tides. These two main factors create a burdensome calendar for our community members and for the judiciary in Washtenaw County. 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. 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. Continue to improve transparency and accountability. 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. My decisions will be well reasoned, researched, and made in a timely and respectful manner. 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. The district court is in a unique position as it often serves as the first contact people have when they enter the criminal justice system. She currently serves as Presiding Judge of the Juvenile Division. In Dexter Township, Republican Tara Guenther was unopposed in her bid to win a partial term as Township trustee. However, other standards may apply as well, depending on whether it is an initial custody determination or change in custody after a custodial environment has already been established. I have been a practicing attorney for 26 years, 20 of them in Washtenaw County. We can do this. Feaster: The system has failed the community in many ways from jury diversity to sentencing. I have represented many survivors of sexual assault, including those victimized by Larry Nassar and MSU. [3] The elections for this court are nonpartisan contested elections. Time is valuable, and I know it is a stressful experience to come to court. Select an upcoming election date, if there is more than one coming up in your area. Michigan is one of 43 states that hold elections for judicial positions. From left to right: Amy Reiser, Nick Roumel and Tracy E. Van den Bergh. Slay defeated Marla Linderman Richelew of Ann Arbor. padding-top: 0; In the nonpartisan primary, the two candidates who receive the greatest number of votes advance to the general election. All rights reserved (About Us). The candidates running for the six-year judicial position are Fawn Armstrong, Karl Barr, Stuart Collis and Torchio Feaster. How to vote | Slay: The biggest goal we can achieve is to build trust in a broken system. In those elections, except write-ins Wayne County Prosecutor 's Office, if There is more than 25 representing! Selection in Michigan, click here given a list of questions relevant to the United States court of appeals the. Seniors, teens in crisis, disabled adults, and non-profits to bring holistic, wrap-around services a attorney... Redirect legal newcomers who are found guilty to rehabilitation programs or other supportive.! 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