First, I would like to say a big “thank you” to Judge Honzel for his years of selfless public service. His dedication and expertise will be missed when he retires. I ask for your support and vote to replace Judge Honzel.
Judicial District Court Judges in our judicial district are extremely busy. The First Judicial District includes Lewis and Clark and Broadwater Counties. In 2006, each of our three district court judges dealt with 1,370 cases; the second heaviest case load in Montana. The District Court serves as an appeals court for cases from our municipal and justice courts as well as from state agencies in administrative law decisions. In addition, the district court is the trial court for hundreds of civil and criminal cases. The only appeal from a district court decision is to the Montana Supreme Court.
Since the judges in the First Judicial District have about the heaviest caseload in Montana, we need to make sure that the court system continues to operate smoothly to serve our citizens and our community. A judge also needs to understand that most people, unlike lawyers, usually find the district court a very scary and stressful place. I pledge to work with our other two district judges and our clerks of court to continue smooth operation of our court system.
I believe that my years of experience and my knowledge will help me be a good district court judge. I do understand how stressful and difficult is it when people come in contact with the judicial system and the courts. I am committed to be both impartial and thoughtful in the cases that come before me.
Over the years I have represented people in various areas of law including business and family law, criminal and real estate law, administrative law , wills and probate law and personal injury cases. I have represented Montanans in over 2,894 criminal cases and some 2,249 civil cases since I opened my practice in Helena. I have been involved in literally hundreds of trials.
I was honored when the Montana Supreme Court chose me as a mediator for cases that come before the Supreme Court. I also currently serve as an administrative law judge for the Office of Public Instruction.
There are things we can do to improve the court\u2019s relationships with citizens. First, our district court judges currently take turns traveling to Townsend weekly to hear cases and other matters in Broadwater County. I think that one judge should handle all the cases in Broadwater County. I am willing to travel to Townsend to be that judge so that citizens in Broadwater County will have continuity in their district court. Our two remaining judges will then have more time to dedicate to their heavy Lewis and Clark County caseloads.
Second, even given our judges\u2019 very busy schedules, we should encourage our municipal court, justice court and district court judges to meet regularly to assure that our local court systems operate as seamlessly as possible.
Third, we need to continue to listen to our clerks of court, our law enforcement agencies and our local attorneys to assure that the administration of the courts is as efficient and citizen friendly as possible.
Finally, as I noted earlier, our district court judges each handled over 1,370 cases in 2006. Other district court judges in Montana handle as few as 470 cases that year. Today, civil cases in our district court often cannot be heard for two years. That is a long time (and very stressful time) for people to wait to have their cases heard. There is something to the saying that justice delayed is justice denied. While the current caseload is manageable, given the growth in our area, we may have set up a task force which would include county commissioners, clerks of courts, local judges, legislators, law enforcement agencies, local attorneys and local citizens to examine the merits of adding a district judge in this judicial district. This process must be very carefully done since it involves significant additional costs in terms of staff and space in our courthouse. We must, however, be prepared for the future growth of our communities so that citizens are not denied appropriate access to justice in our courts.
I do believe that my years of trial and practice experience will help me to step in to the position being vacated by Judge Honzel without a steep learning curve to become familiar with civil and criminal procedure and the various nuances of the law.
Finally, people deserve certainty and comfort in the law. People need to be assured that if they follow the law, they will not suffer negative consequences. As a district court judge, I pledge to follow the law as established by our constitution, the Montana Legislature and our Supreme Court. The district court is not the place to write law; it is a court where the existing law is applied to various factual situations. For those who want to change the law, I invite them to run for the Legislature rather than for district court.
Again, I would appreciate your support and your vote. I would be happy to answer any questions you may have. Please call or email me. Thank you.
