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The questions were prepared by the League of Women Voters of the Cincinnati Area and asked of all candidates for this office.
See below for questions on
Qualifications,
Judicial Independence,
Administration of justice
Click on a name for candidate information. See also more information about this contest.
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1. What are your qualifications for office? (50 Word limit)
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Answer from Heather S. Russell:
Seventeen years as a prosecutor followed by 11 years as a judge, where I have presided over civil and criminal cases are my qualifications. Voters deserve judges with knowledge and experience of civil and criminal cases, for the complex cases over which they must preside in common pleas court.
Answer from Leslie Ghiz:
I have practiced law for nearly 18 years, on both plaintiff and defense sides. I am currently a Hamilton County Assistant Prosecutor. I am well versed and look at all sides of every situation before formulating a decision.
Answer from Stephen L. "Steve" Black:
I have been a practicing trial lawyer for 37 years, with experience in many areas, including commercial litigation, personal injury litigation, real estate, environmental and probate and trust law. I have tried cases in numerous counties in Ohio, as well as in Kentucky and Indiana, and in federal courts.
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2. What programs do you support to maintain the independence of the judiciary?
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Answer from Leslie Ghiz:
The role of a judge is to follow the law as it stands, not to make law, and I will follow the law.
Answer from Heather S. Russell:
American Bar Association
Ohio State Bar Association
Ohio Judicial Conference
Ohio Association of Municipal Court Judges
Ohio Jury Management Association
Cincinnati Bar Association
Answer from Stephen L. "Steve" Black:
I am a member of the Cincinnati Bar Association and the Ohio State Bar Association, both of which are vigilant guardians of judicial independence. My judicial candidate ratings from the Cincinnati Bar Association are the highest of all four of the candidates in this field race. For the details, here is a link: http://www.cincybar.org/news-resources/news.php/2012/38-2012-judicial-poll-results/
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3. What specific changes would you like to see in the administration of justice in Hamilton County? (100 word limit)
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Answer from Stephen L. "Steve" Black:
I would like to see increased use of communications technology in our courts in order to speed up the resolution of cases. Our courts do not use email communication to its maximum effectiveness, nor do they use videoconferencing to eliminate the need for in-person appearances. Also, judges need to get actively involved in the cases at an earlier stage, in order to push the attorneys and parties to settle cases before the expenses mount up. Justice delayed is justice denied. I advocate for speedy and efficient dispositions. We can do better by applying the best practices of other courts.
Answer from Leslie Ghiz:
I would like to see more diversion programs for lesser offenses, so that our jail space can house as many top tier offenders as possible.
Answer from Heather S. Russell:
We need to support our "best evidence" treatment programs. Presidiing over a mental health court docket, I see that crimes are driven by drug abuse and mental illness. It's better for everyone if we spend money on the front end of a person's criminal career, where we can divert their activity and help them connect to services, rather than spending the money on the "back end," when there is nothing to do but spend money on incarcerating them. Everyone wins when we help the people who really need it, and save jail for those who really need jail.
Responses to questions asked of each candidate
are reproduced as submitted to the League.
Candidates' statements are presented as submitted.
Answers will be cut off if they exceed a word limit, if present. Direct references to opponents are not permitted.
The order of the candidates is random and changes daily. Candidates who did not respond are not listed on this page.
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League of Women Voters of the Cincinnati Area Education Fund
