Backlog
How will you address the case backlog in your court to ensure timely resolution for all parties?
I address case backlog through consistent case management, clear expectations, and accountability for all parties. My court currently uses a scheduling order that establishes timelines for the progression and disposition of cases and informs parties of the Court’s expectations at each setting. The scheduling order timelines are rooted in nationally recognized best practices for the resolution misdemeanor cases. Efficient administration is a priority, but must never come at the expense of fairness. There are circumstances in which additional time is necessary. My goal is to move cases efficiently while ensuring that every party has a meaningful opportunity to be heard.
Efficiency/accessibility
How will you ensure efficient and equitable resolution of matters that come before your court, and that all residents — regardless of their financial means — have meaningful access to legal resources?
An individual’s financial resources should never determine the quality of justice they receive. I support adequately funded indigent defense systems to ensure that eligible defendants have access to quality representation. Meaningful access to justice requires due process in addition to a clear understanding of how to navigate the justice system. Individuals must be fully informed of potential resources available to them as well as how to access them. I will continue to support holistic initiatives and alternatives to incarceration because these measures make our communities stronger and safer. It is important to ensure that financial resources do not become a barrier to representation, participation, or a just and equitable resolution.
