Third Circuit Court Judge

League of Women Voters^®
of Grosse Pointe

NON-PARTISAN VOTER GUIDE FOR THE THIRD CIRCUIT COURT JUDGE OF THE CIRCUIT COURT NON-INCUMBENT

The League of Women Voters of Northwest Wayne County is a nonpartisan organization whose purpose is to promote political responsibility through informed and active participation of citizens in government. The League never supports or opposes any political party or candidates. Candidate responses are included as submitted and have not been edited except in cases where the replies exceeded the stated word limitations. Spelling and Grammar were not corrected. The inclusion of candidates' statements and opinions is solely in the interest of public service and in no way is to be construed as an endorsement by the League of Women Voters. The League takes no responsibility for any views or facts stated by the candidates.
The 3rd Circuit Court serves all of Wayne County. There are 11 candidates. Vote for no more than 3. Candidates are listed in alphabetical order. The top 6 candidates will compete again on the November ballot for three seats.

Question 1 (150 Words or less): Provide biographical information and explain why you are running for this position. What relevant qualities and skills would you bring to the position?

WANDA CAL
Did not respond in time for publication
RICHARD CUNNINGHAM
I am a Viet Nam combat veteran who worked my way through college as a factory worker, and through law school as a VA benefits counselor. Since my admission to the bar in 1979, I have done more than 300 jury trials. I have served as an assistant prosecutor, a trial court judge, a trial attorney for the Attorney Grievance Commission, and an attorney in private practice. I have also served as an instructor at Henry Ford Community College. I was recognized in a Detroit Free Press article as one of the ten judges least likely to be reversed on a criminal case. In 2000, Michigan Lawyers Weekly named me an "Attorney Of The Year". Throughout my career, I have been active in professional associations. I currently serve on the State Bar of Michigan Board Of Commissioners and as a Trustee of the Detroit Metropolitan Bar Association Foundation.
SHARON GRIER

Henry Ford High School, Magna Cum Laude
University of Michigan Dearborn, Cum Laude, B.S.
University of Detroit School of Law, J.D.

�� Attorney 21 years
�� Wayne County Assistant Prosecuting Attorney 18 years including
�� Two years as a Special Prosecutor in the Child Abuse Unit
�� Creator of The Wayne County Prosecutor's Office Drug Offense Delayed Sentence Program

Grier's innovative program uniquely balances punishment with rehabilitation to reduce the recidivism rate of non-violent first time offenders.

Real courtroom experience is an important requirement for being a judge. My 16 years of daily courtroom duties has afforded me an opportunity to study the trial techniques and strategies of some of the best attorneys in the country. My work with Circuit Court Judges has given me insight into the application of civil and criminal procedures; judicial temperament, and the proper interpretation of the law based on the facts. Grier's qualifications make her the RIGHT Choice for Justice!
ROBERT E. HARRIS, JR.
Did not respond in time for publication.
DANIEL A. HATHAWAY
Did not respond in time for publication.
SUSAN L. HUBBARD
I was born and raised in Wayne County; I live in Dearborn, Michigan where I served on the Dearborn City Council and Wayne County Commission for nearly 20 years. I have one child. I graduated from Fordson High School, Wayne State University and the Detroit College of Law. I practice law in Wayne County's probate, juvenile, criminal and district courts where I have handled hundreds of cases over the past seventeen years. I am also a Wayne County mediator, helping to resolve civil cases before the Wayne County Circuit Court. As Commissioner, I conducted several meetings and public hearings, drafted complex laws and oversaw litigation involving the county. I am running for judge because of my extensive courtroom experience and my background in Wayne County government. And, I would be honored to continue my family's tradition of public service.
CONNIE MARIE KELLEY
I reside in Redford Township, with my husband , Kevin Kelley. I have two adult sons, Andrew and Kyle. I graduated from the University of Michigan and Wayne State University Law School. I have more than 25 years of courtroom experience in many areas of law such as Family Law, including divorce, custody, and parenting time disputes; Employment Law, including wrongful termination, discrimination, workplace harassment cases; Personal Injury and Wrongful Death Claims. I also have a history of community involvement. I am a member of the Executive Board of the Boys & Girls Club of Southeastern Michigan. I also volunteer my time providing free legal advice to women at the Women's Resource Center at Schoolcraft College. If elected, I will be on time and prepared and I will give each person who comes to court, a fair hearing on the issues which are so very important to them.
CORBETT EDGE OMEARA
Did not respond in time for publication.
LYNNE A. PIERCE
Grosse Pointe Woods Municipal Judge, 16 years. Visiting judge in many Wayne and Macomb County District Courts. Presided over 100's of jury trial and 1000's of bench trial. Licensed attorney 29 years. Former managing attorney at UAW-Ford Legal Services Plan. Broad general practice background. Married, 28 years, to Raymond Andary, attorney. Three adult children. UofM graduate, with distinction, 1975. Juris Doctor, cum laude, Detroit College of Law, 1979. President, Women Lawyers Assoc. of Mich, Wayne Region. Past president, AAUW-GP. Co-chair, "Running & Winning Workshop", LWV-GP. Advisory Board Member, American-Arab Anti-Discrimination Committee. Initiated "Critical Life Choices" program at Grosse Pointe North High School. Former scholarship committee member, Alternatives for Girls. For more information go to: www.judgepierce.com.
NEIL J. SAWICKI
Born in 1966, Wyandotte, Michigan. Graduated from Our Lady of Mt. Carmel High School ('85), Michigan State University (BA, '89), University of Detroit School of Law (JD, '92). Served on active duty, US Army Judge Advocate General's Corps ('93-'97). Special Assistant United States Attorney ('93 -'96). Private Practice, ('97 -Present). Wyandotte City Prosecutor ('99 - Present). Dearborn Assistant City Prosecutor ('03- Present). Married with one child. My duties as city prosecutor have acclimated me to handling a large docket on a daily basis, something very familiar to Judges on the Wayne County Circuit Court. Where most attorneys may deal with a handful of clients a day, I have been reviewing, analyzing, and adjudicating approximately 30-40 cases per day. This volume of experience, along with my experience in the law itself, has singularly qualified me to be one of your Judges on the Wayne County Circuit Court.
JOHN J. SULLIVAN
My name is John Sullivan and I am running for Wayne County Circuit Court Judge because I have a passion for the law and for public service. I have very strong ethical standards and I treat people with dignity and respect. I have experience practicing law in a wide range of legal fields and I have been running my own law practice for over ten years. I also have experience as a Wayne County elected official, having been elected to serve four terms on the Wayne County Commission. I have served as a volunteer for many community groups and have served on numerous boards and committees in Wayne County that have provided me with a unique insight into the Wayne County Judicial system. I am married and raising my children in Wayne County and I want to make sure that it is a safe and prosperous community for all of us to live, work and raise a family.

Question 2 (150 Words or less): Describe major administrative or other issue(s) currently before the 3rd Circuit Court and actions you would take to address those issues.

WANDA CAL
Did not respond in time for publication
RICHARD CUNNINGHAM
One the biggest challenges facing the Wayne County Circuit Court is the under-representation of racial and ethnic minorities in the jury pool. The United States Supreme Court has held that the Sixth Amendment entitles litigants to an impartial jury drawn from a fair cross-section of the community. An assessment conducted by the National Center For State Courts found that while African-Americans make up 39.6% of the adult population of Wayne County, they averaged only 25.7% of the jury pool. This 13.9% discrepancy rate is far greater than the 4% average rate found in other urban centers throughout the country. I have been the lead attorney in litigation designed to ensure fair minority participation in civil and criminal juries. As a trial judge, I will work toward identifying and implementing a more equitable jury selection system. I will work for the adoption of the recommendations of the National Center.
SHARON GRIER
The constitution of the United States Of America garuantees everyone equal rights under the law. Equal rights means that everyone should have equal access to the justice system. Economics, i.e., the ability to pay, should not prevent a person from exercising his or her legal rights. Affordable legal services should not be substandard legal services. The first step in solving the problem is to recognize that there is a problem. Dialog between the legal community and the general public will begin when I am elected to the bench. Saturday legel sessions with "Judge Grier and friends" will allow individuals to present their legal issues to a panel of Michigan's fines attorneys without paying a fee.
ROBERT E. HARRIS, JR.
Did not respond in time for publication.
DANIEL A. HATHAWAY
Did not respond in time for publication.
SUSAN L. HUBBARD
One major issue facing the Third Circuit Court of Wayne County is a budget deficit. Judges must accomplish more with less. To do this, a judge must have a strong work ethic and managerial experience. As a Wayne County Commissioner, I worked hard at spearheading numerous efforts to reform county government including drafting its first ethics, vehicle, airport noise, anti-pollution and fraud laws. I helped balance the county's budgets and I conducted hundreds of meetings and public hearings effectively and efficiently.
As judge, I will work hard to implement cost-saving measures which would also make the court's more user-friendly. For instance, I would advocate the expansion of probationary programs for non-violent, first time offenders that would save taxpayer money by making offenders serve the community opposed to housing them in costly jails. I would implement the use of technology to allow the public to pay court costs and fines over the internet and telephone and I would conduct my courtroom . . .
CONNIE MARIE KELLEY
There is a recognized disproportionate representation of minorities, both African American and Hispanic citizens, in the Wayne County jury system. Since all citizens are entitled to a jury of their peers, minority representation must be increased by expanding the sources from which prospective jurors are selected to insure more minority participation.
Additionally, Michigan is one of four states that spends more money on prisons than higher education. To reduce the soaring costs of maintaining our prison system, we must utilize sentencing alternatives to prison for non-violent offenders only. Programs such as drug courts, boot camps, tethers, and prisoner re-entry programs should be encouraged. Education is the best way to keep young people from committing crimes and our limited resources in these challenging economic times are best spent on educating people rather than incarcerating them.
CORBETT EDGE OMEARA
Did not respond in time for publication.
LYNNE A. PIERCE
Jail overcrowding is a huge concern. Judges need to take this into account when sentencing. Many defendants can benefit from alternative sentencing, depending on the nature of the offense. Drug courts, and other similar programs, are an important solution to this problem.
The criminalization of our mentally ill has resulted in many injustices within the legal system. Judges can and should be a part of the solution to this problem. Identifying behavior caused by mental illness, requiring the defendant to get proper treatment, and monitoring their progress through probation, are some of the ways judges can impact this problem.
Erosion of our constitutional rights by the legislature has resulted in an upset of our balance of power. Judges are the last line to protect our rights and due process under the constitution. A strong, independent judiciary is important in our system of government.
NEIL J. SAWICKI
A major issue facing the circuit court is the timely disposition of cases as well as the timely disposition of hearings/motions related to those cases. In general, cases take too much time from filing to decision. A majority of this problem is caused by excessive delay allowed by the court for the endless "discovery" process. An aggressive approach to scheduling set and enforced by the court and known by all parties should remedy this problem. I will set the example of professionalism, promptness, preparedness, and impartiality for all parties assigned to me to follow. If the judge does not exhibit these traits, one cannot expect the litigants to do so. I will be on the bench when scheduled, ready to address the issues scheduled according to the laws and rules of our system in an unbiased and professional manner.
JOHN J. SULLIVAN
A major problem facing the court right now is the backlog of cases. It is unacceptable that many cases take several years to go to trial. I believe that we could help eliminate the backlog by expanding the drug court and starting a mental health court in Wayne County. The current system is currently tied up with repeat offenders that continue to commit small crimes as result of drug addiction or mental illness. With the expansion of the drug court and the start of a mental health court we can monitor these individuals and make sure that they get the treatment that they need so they can get their lives straightened out and stop cycling thru the system. The court also needs to continue to make efforts to ensure that jury pools are comprised of a fair representative of the population in Wayne County.

POLLS ARE OPEN 7:00 am - 8:00 pm, TUESDAY, AUGUST 5, 2008
LEAGUE OF WOMEN VOTERS OF NORTHWEST WAYNE COUNTY
Website: www.lwvnww.org E-mail: lwvmail@yahoo.com Phone: 734-421-4420
Grosse Pointe War Memorial TV will be airing the Third Circuit Court Judicial Candidate Forum that took place on June 24. See it:
From Monday, July 28 to Friday, August 1
7:00 p.m.
Cable Channel 22
We have also posted the candidate responses for the First District State Representative primary at 1st District State Rep Voter Guide

Comments, suggestions, questions? Contact our webmaster. Last revised: August 7, 2008 16:28 PDT.