League of Women Voters of the Cincinnati Area Education Fund
All of Hamilton County, OH November 6, 2012 Election
	Martha Good Answers Questions Candidate for Justice; Ohio State Court of Appeals; District 1; 6 Year Term Starting 02/09/13

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

Questions & Answers

1. What are your qualifications for office? (50 Word limit)

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.

2. What specific changes would you like to see in the administration of justice in Ohio? (100 word limit)

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.

3. What programs do you support to maintain the independence of the judiciary?

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.

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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.

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

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Created from information supplied by the candidate: September 12, 2012 09:05
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