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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,
Adminstration of justice,
Judical Independence
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 Martha Good:
Since graduating #1 in my class from Cincinnati Law 27-years ago, I have been a Federal Court Mediator, Public Defender, Arbitrator, Judicial Law Clerk, Law School and Political Science Professor and represented hundreds of clients in state courts, making me uniquely qualified for the Ohio Court of Appeals.
Answer from Pat Fischer:
Experience [about 600 cases) as a Judge on this court and one case on Ohio Supreme Court;25+ years of courtroom practice in Ohio and the nation; elected by peers and serving as President, Ohio State Bar Association and past President, Cincinnati Bar Association; past chair Ethics and Professionalism committees
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2. What specific changes would you like to see in the administration of justice in Ohio? (100 word limit)
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Answer from Pat Fischer:
I would add more technology to the process. We waste too much paper and trees on a process which is basically paper-based. By making all filings electronic [except the initial filing],we would save time and money, for litigants and taxpayers. And by saving time, we prevent or at least lessen the problem of 'justice delayed, is justice denied.' I personally have lowered the estimated time between oral argument on my opinions I author in half from the time frame estimated when I first joined the court.
Answer from Martha Good:
One principle of justice from the Magna Carta (1215) is "To no one will We sell, to no one will We deny or delay, right or justice." While justice is not "sold" in Ohio, poor people often are not well-represented. Improving the pay and the working conditions for public defenders would help ensure "equal" justice for all. Justice is often delayed by inefficient scheduling, short court hours and too many stays. Trials should be scheduled more quickly and Court of Appeals decisions must be rendered quickly to resolve cases without delay.
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3. What programs do you support to maintain the independence of the judiciary?
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Answer from Martha Good:
Judicial independence means deciding each case strictly on its own merits and in accordance with the law. It means all decisions must be consistent with the US and Ohio Constitutions and laws rather than being decided on the basis of any predetermined political agenda or personal beliefs. Such independence is necessary to ensure that the Courts and their decisions are considered legitimate. It is one of the most important bedrocks of our democracy because it ensures that disputes will be resolved in a manner that is fair and impartial, and that the citizens respect and comply with the court's rulings.The Bar Association and the Ohio Supreme Court have enacted regulations to ensure that judges and judicial candidates maintain their independence and I support those efforts.
Answer from Pat Fischer:
For just a few examples: The Ohio State Bar [of which I am president]has a committee I oversee to deal with improper attacks on the judiciary; the Beyond Civility project here in Cincinnati; and the state and local bars' ethics and professionalism committees
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
