1.
How have your
training, professional experience, and interests prepared you to serve
on the Alabama Court of Criminal Appeals?
Having
the opportunity to serve the people as a Judge has been a lifelong
dream. As a former sole practitioner, former Assistant United
States Attorney and now a Deputy Attorney General, I have a unique
perspective and have the skills to do the job. I also have
the temperment to serve on the bench.
2.
What do you consider to be the three most important
attributes of a judge?
Strength to make the tough
decisions
Conservative philosophy to interpret the law not legislate from the
bench
Fairness to victims as well as defendants
3.
What is your judicial philosophy?
Conservative philosophy--to
interpret the law not legislate from the bench.
4.
How do you define “judicial independence,” and how
important is it to our judicial system?
Judicial
independence to me is that decisions of judges should be impartial and
not subject to outside influence--political or otherwise. It
is very important that judges have the ability to do what the law
requires. Judicial independence does not mean the ability to
legislate from the bench.
5.
What is the greatest area of need in the Alabama criminal justice
system, and
how should the Alabama Court of Criminal Appeals respond, if at all?
The
greatest need of the Alabama Court of Criminal Appeals is to eliminate
many of the frivilous "jailhouse" appeals that make up approximately
40% of the caseload. The Alabama Court of Criminal Appeals
has one of the largest caseloads of any similar court in the nation.
6.
What part, if any, should public opinion play in the decision of a
judge?
The
law, not public opinion should prevail.
7.
In a case before the court, how should a judge handle a conflict
between his/her personal beliefs and the law?
The
law, not personal beliefs should prevail in any judges decisions.
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