League of Women Voters of the Cincinnati Area Education Fund
Hamilton County, OH November 6, 2007 Election
	Norma J. (Holt) Davis Answers Questions Candidate for Judge; Hamilton County Municipal Court; District 6; Unexpired Term Ending 1/2/12

The questions were prepared by the League of Women Voters of the Cincinnati Area and asked of all candidates for this office.
Read the answers from all candidates (who have responded).

Questions & Answers

1. What are your qualifications for office? (50 word limit)

I bring substantial legal and life experiences to the bench. Years of practice experience in Ohio and federal courts honed my skills. A rich profile as small firm practioner, law clerk, clinical director, instructor and assistant public defender position me to interact with diverse populations and do equal justice.

2. What plans do you have to address your top three priorities? (100 word limit)

I will be sensitive to many litigants' belief that they are pre-judged and will be treated unfairly. I will guard the integrity of hearing processes by assuring that individual rights are protected and rule evenhandedly to avoid the appearance of alignment with either side. I plan to divert first-time offenders from criminal behavior by considering rehabilitative and restorative justice model, rather than punitive models. Repeat offenders will be incarcerated. Civil litigants will be encouraged to fashion remedies in alternative dispute resolution that may be preferred to judicial remedies. I will practice civility myself and insist that all others do likewise.

3. What specific changes would you like to see in the administration of justice in Hamilton County? (150 word limit)

I would like to see an unofficial or separate docket to handle minor matters so docket over-crowding is alleviated. I'd also like to see reversal of the trend of criminalizing mental illness and homelessness so that defendants get help rather than jail time. When arrested, these defendants would be handled on special expedited dockets so that they quickly get treatment and/or assistance rather than jail time. Further, I'd like to see jail over-crowding relieved by substantially increasing the availability of electronic monitoring devices and staff so that only serious offenders and defendants who pose significant risk to re-offend or to flee are detained. Finally, I'd like to see a judicial task force formed that addresses ways for courts to effectively reduce crime in Hamilton County by addressing societal conditions that foster crime. Effectuating the three major recommendations of the task force should be a priority for the courts.

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Responses to questions asked of each candidate are reproduced as submitted to the League.  Candidates' statements are presented as submitted. Word limits apply for each question. Direct references to opponents are not permitted.

Read the answers from all candidates (who have responded).

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Created from information supplied by the candidate: October 1, 2007 18:56
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