“I do solemnly swear or affirm that I will support the Constitution of the United States and the Constitution of this State, and that I will faithfully discharge the duties of the office according to the best of my ability.”

     I took this oath  when I began my career as a prosecutor.  I took that oath with pride, humility, and a sense of purpose.  I wanted to serve the public by safe-guarding our constitutional rights and obligations.  I now want to take that same oath as your next 15th District Court judge.  It is no accident that the oath I took as a prosecutor is the same oath taken by Michigan district court judges.  Like judges, a prosecutor is bound by special rules of professional conduct that do not apply to other attorneys.
 
     Prosecutors must always serve justice – not only to uphold the civil and criminal laws for the public good, but to protect people from being prosecuted without reasonable cause, to ensure the rights of unrepresented defendants, and to provide to the defense the information that will be used to prosecute as well as any information that could be used to show innocence.  A prosecutor cannot make extrajudicial statements about a case that might affect the fair process of the justice system.  Prosecutors serve the public, not the interests of themselves or clients .

     A judge must also uphold the civil and criminal laws, and protect individuals throughout the process while ensuring that the justice system operates for the benefit of the public, and that all persons are treated with fairness, courtesy, and respect.  A judge cannot allow family, political, or social relationships to influence a decision.  Judges promise to ensure justice and fairness so that the parties and the public are served, not the judiciary.

     To carry out these goals, a judge must know the law, have genuine respect for others, be willing to listen, and be able to exercise a firm and independent judgment.  A judge must be able to lead a staff and exercise fiscal responsibility.  I pledge to honorably fulfill the obligations of a judge of the 15th District Court in the same way that I have lived up to my special responsibilities as a prosecutor.
 
     As a prosecutor, I am accustomed to constantly keeping abreast of the law as it evolves. I exercise sound decision-making in the context of justice and fairness.  I am adept at ensuring the smooth operation of my assigned responsibilities in the prosecutor’s office, and will bring these skills to the operation of the 15th district court. 

     The justice system helps ensure the quality of life in a community.  It is the mechanism that protects the public from criminals, provides rehabilitative opportunities as well as punishment to convicted defendants, affords landlords and tenants an avenue to resolve their disputes, and allows injured parties to seek compensation for their losses.  For those people who do not regularly participate in the justice system, it can be overwhelming.  A good judge can make that experience for the average citizen – as a juror, litigant, victim, and even as a defendant – much less difficult.

     My wife and I are long-time residents of Ann Arbor and love this city. We appreciate that our boys are growing up in a place as diverse and safe as Ann Arbor.  I pledge that I will continue to make the Court system work to serve the highest interests of justice and to preserve the quality of this great city.  I am proud to have served this community for more than 18 years and I look forward to the opportunity to serve you in a new capacity – as a judge for the 15th District Court of Ann Arbor.