Accountability
What will you do to promote the just, prompt, and affordable resolution of civil cases that come before your court?
My staff and I continuously ensure that all cases have a trial date. This is important because a trial setting is when the parties have to finally decide to try to get it resolved or have a judge or jury make a decision on the case. Trial dates motivate the parties to seek a resolution whenever possible. Without, cases tend to languish because almost all lawyers have another case that requires their attention more because of a pressing trial date.
Court System
What specific actions would you take to ensure the timely resolution of cases while maintaining fairness for all parties?
In addition to ensuring that all cases have trial dates, in the 281st we also have oral hearing settings four days a week instead of just one docket day. This provides litigants with the flexibility they need in order to get a prompt hearing date. I also work to be prepared and knowledgeable about the cases that have hearings so that when the lawyers or pro se litigants are before me, we can talk about the issues that are at the core of their motion and I can get the information and argument I need in order to make a fair ruling based on the evidence and the law. Giving the parties the rulings they need in order to proceed with their cases is one of the easiest and most effective things a judge can do to help a case get resolved.
