League of Women Voters of the Cincinnati Area Education Fund
All of Hamilton County, OH November 6, 2012 Election
	Bruce B. Whitman Answers Questions Candidate for Justice; Ohio State Court of Appeals; District 1; 6 Year Term Starting 02/11/13

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 have practiced law as a sole practitioner for 32 years. I have experience in all types of law, specializing in litigation, both civil and criminal law. I have demonstrated over time my success in solving complex legal issues and dedication to the practice of law.

2. What specific changes would you like to see in the administration of justice in Ohio? (100 word limit)

The judicial branch should be co-equal with the executive and legislative. In the 32 years I have practiced law in Ohio I have seen diminishment of open access to courts by such mandates as damage caps, expansion of immunity, technical pleading requirement, and cost. I would like to see greater emphaisis on strict adherence to the Ohio Constitutional Section 1.16, Redress in courts, which requires open courts and equal and prompt justice. Jury instructions should be reformed so they are simple and in plain English.

3. What programs do you support to maintain the independence of the judiciary?

There has to be reform of the financing of elections. Judges should not be allowed to directly or indirectly ask lawyers who appear in their courtroom for campaign contributions. We should remove primary elections for judges and make them truly non-partisan.

---

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.

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

Candidate Page || Feedback to Candidate || This Contest
SmartVoter Home (Ballot Lookup) || About Smart Voter

---

Created from information supplied by the candidate: September 10, 2012 10:30
Smart Voter <http://www.smartvoter.org/>
Copyright © League of Women Voters of California Education Fund   http://www.lwvc.org
The League of Women Voters neither supports nor opposes candidates for public office or political parties.