ISSUES/ POLICIES
If elected, I would seek to implement the following policies and values as the new Judge of the Newton County Superior Court:
This means enforcing professional standards, proper dress, and appropriate decorum in the courtroom at all times. While some may view this as old fashioned, the outcome of a court proceeding can, and very often does, have life changing consequences. Maintaining a level of formality and professionalism in the courtroom is important to me because I believe it is necessary to demonstrate the seriousness of the decisions taking place there.
I believe that providing better access to improved mental health and addiction services is critical to the welfare and safety of all residents in Newton County. There is a growing mental health crisis in this country, and I have personally seen the threat it now brings to our own community. For the past several years, I have been in the court room, the town halls, and our schools, working closely with law enforcement officers, elected officials, teachers, and parents. The number of mental health and addiction related cases is drastically increasing, and this places tremendous pressure on our own court system, our educational system, and our entire local community. I recognize the growing number of our own residents in crisis, and the need for additional opportunities and resources to help them in finding meaningful treatment. This issue is particularly important to me because I have lost a family member to mental illness and addiction, and I understand the challenges and difficulties these individuals and their families are facing. If our courts and community can do more to provide people with the help they need to address mental illness and addiction issues, especially those at a younger age, we can reduce the likelihood of seeing them back in the courtroom, and maybe even help to save a life.
To accomplish this and other innovative programs, I will work hard to develop partnerships with our elected officials and community leaders to develop new ideas for public service. I know the importance of teamwork and collaboration in getting things done in this County, and I believe it’s the responsibility of a Judge to bring people together and help solve problems.
Legal fees are often paid by the hour, and saving time is saving money. With recent technological developments, new methods such as executing documents electronically and conducting procedural hearings remotely can simplify court operations and improve productivity. While certain functions of this system are always best conducted in an actual court room, other administrative functions can be simplified with technology. For a single parent who must miss work, find a babysitter, and then a ride to the courthouse for every hearing, remote access is often critical to access the justice system.
