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LWVLeague of Women Voters of Ohio Education Fund
Ohio State Government May 2, 2006 Election
Smart Voter

William Michael O'Neill
Answers Questions

Candidate for
Judge; Ohio State Supreme Court; 6 Year Term Starting 1/1/07; Democratic Party

 
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The questions were prepared by the League of Women Voters of the Cincinnati Area or League of Women Voters of Ohio and asked of all candidates for this office.
Read the answers from all candidates (who have responded).

Questions & Answers

1. What options do you believe the judiciary has when there is a judicial decision that requires the legislature to act if their response does not fully address the decision? (150 word limit)

The judiciary is the third independent branch of government with the solemn obligation to insure that the other two branches follow the law as written. When a legislative body or an executive branch is either unwilling or unable to follow the law, the judiciary is required, through contempt proceedings, to enforce its own orders. For years courts, through their orders, have compelled individuals to perform tasks which they might otherwise avoid. Through their Orders, Courts have run schools and mental institutions; placed individuals in jail, seized wages, attached and disposed of property and utilized a host of other methods of persuading individuals to follow the law. Naturally, Courts can use persuasion to achieve a proper result. However, at the end of the day, a court which does not enforce its own orders has abandoned its role as the third independent branch of government.


Responses to questions asked of each candidate are reproduced as submitted to the League. 

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

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Created from information supplied by the candidate: April 1, 2006 11:02
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