League of Women Voters of the Cincinnati Area Education Fund
	Hamilton County, OH November 4, 2008 Election
	Candidates Answer Questions on the Issues Judge; Court of Common Pleas; Unexpired Term Ending 1/1/11

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 Pressing Issues, Implementation, Merit Selection, Evaluation, Mandatory sentencing Click on a name for candidate information.   See also more information about this contest. 1. What are the two most pressing issues you will face if you are elected? (50 word limit) Answer from Jody M. Luebbers: Having the ability to handle an increasing volume of complex civil and criminal cases and having the ability to administer justice fairly and impartially in order to keep our citizens and neighborhoods safe. Answer from Russell J. Mock: Community Safety and efficient and fair resolution of cases that come before the court. 2. How will you address each of those issues? (100 word limit) Answer from Jody M. Luebbers: Sitting in the highest trial court in the State of Ohio, judges in Common Pleas must be very knowledgeable in many diverse areas of the law. My experience as both a Chief and Assistant Prosecutor and a civil attorney and criminal defense attorney has given me the required background to handle the work load. My unique experience also helps me everyday in my courtroom to continue to adjudicate each case before me firmly, fairly and impartially. Answer from Russell J. Mock: The Court of Common Pleas is the most important trial court in Hamilton County. A Common Pleas Court Judge presides over major civil cases and felony criminal cases including murder, rape, burglary and robbery. It is the highest trial court in the State of Ohio. That is why it is so important that a well qualified judge serve on the bench. You will find my experience as a civil attorney, former prosecutor, and my four years of judicial experience, make me the most qualified to serve on the Court of Common Pleas. 3. What is your position on merit selection of the judiciary? (100 word limit) Answer from Russell J. Mock: I oppose it. I believe that each citizen should have the right to choose the individual who best represents the the standards and values in each community. Answer from Jody M. Luebbers: I am against merit selection. I believe that the people of Hamilton County should elect the person they want to represent and serve them in the judiciary. It may not be the most perfect system, but it is a good system and a way that the community may vote out a judge who is not serving the community as he or she should. 4. What would be a fair way to evaluate the performance of a sitting judge? (100 word limit) Answer from Jody M. Luebbers: Having attorney reviews from the Bar Association to make recommendations to the voting public is a good way to help educate the voters about a judge's ability to preside. But ultimately it is the voting public who must decide and evaluate a judge to decide if he/she should serve on the bench. I look forward to the opportunity to continue to serve the people of Hamilton County on the Common Pleas Court. Answer from Russell J. Mock: Elections are the most effective way to evaluate a judge. Tax payers should retain the right to evaluate each elected official including judges. 5. What is your opinion about mandatory sentencing? (100 word limit) Answer from Russell J. Mock: Ohio law provides specified mandatory sentences for certain very serious crimes. A judge must follow the law as written, but must take the views of the victim as well as community safety into account. Answer from Jody M. Luebbers: Each case needs to be evaluated individually for appropriate sentencing based upon the facts and seriousness of the case, the impact on the victims and the defendant's past criminal history. Mandatory sentencing takes away the individual attention each case needs. Responses to questions asked of each candidate are reproduced as submitted to the League.  Candidates' statements are presented as submitted. The answer must not exceed 100 words. 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.