Screening Committee - Questions for Candidates
Because of your request for an endorsement from the Clermont County Republican Party
the Executive screening committee has asked that you would answer the following
questions. Brevity is completely fine with your comments, since we are not looking for
anything more than a sentence or two for each questions.
1. In what ways do you consider yourself to be a conservative?
 Generally, I believe the Government should play a limited role in the lives of
Americans; protecting America’s borders, ensuring safety from foreign and
domestic enemies, and most importantly protecting the Constitution. I am
also a firm supporter of the Second Amendment and I believe the right to bear
arms is a God given right that is merely reinforced or transcribed in the
Constitution.
2. Have you voted consistently in the Primary Election? Why, or why not?
 I have voted consistently in primary elections. Any elections in which I have
been unable to vote it has been due to trial/work obligations that are a
necessary part of protecting the citizens of Clermont County. Occasionally,
trials or motions will proceed from early morning hours through late evening
hours making it impossible to get to the polls. The few times this has occurred
I have regretted not engaging in early voting as I do believe voting is the
responsibility of each citizen.
3. What have you done that demonstrates your commitment to conservative values?
 Since entering the practice of law, I have consistently worked on Republican
Campaigns both in Hamilton and Clermont Counties, particularly for Judge
Nagel and Judge Miles. Outside of vigorously campaigning for Republican
candidates, I am a member of the NRA as well as the Central Committee,
representing Miami Township’s O1O precinct. I believe that my membership
on the committee, in and of itself, demonstrates my commitment to the
Clermont County Republican Party and its conservative values.
4. What organizations have you been involved in, or donated money to, that share your
conservative views?
 I am a proud member of the National Rifle Association (NRA), and have
donated time and money to a number of Republican campaigns, including
judicial campaigns, prosecutor campaigns, Senate and House campaigns, and
of course, Presidential campaigns. I also support local FOP organizations.
Finally, my family makes it a priority to “adopt” local less fortunate families
every year and provide them with clothes, food, toys, and other necessities.
5. Have you ever been convicted of a crime or filed for bankruptcy? If yes, please
explain.
 Never
6. Why are you running for this office?
 I am running for this office because if my experience in the criminal justice
system has taught me anything it is that the justice system is only as effective
as its members. As a prosecutor, I had the privilege of working
predominantly with outstanding judges. However, I have also seen, in limited
circumstances, idealistic judges who seek to input their influence into a case
and legislate from the bench. This is dangerous. The role judicial branch of
government is simply to enforce the laws of the land. This and only this is
what I will seek to do.
7. What are your strengths that would enable you to do this job effectively? Do you
have weaknesses that you need to overcome in order to do this job more effectively?
 The strengths which would enable me to not only do the job of a Municipal
Court Judge effectively, but to excel in the position, simply put are all of my
experience and qualifications. Serving as Chief of the Municipal Division for
the Prosecutor’s Office allowed me to work closely with every department of
the Municipal Court, from the Public Defender’s Office, Judges, Probation
Department, Clerk of Courts, and Clermont County Jail. I not only have the
knowledge and experience of how all of these departments effectively interact
to keep the Municipal Court running smoothly, but have already developed
and maintained a strong working relationship with each of these various
departments.
i. I am also well versed in the day to day operations within each
courtroom. I am familiar with everything from the daily schedules and
requirements of each Municipal Court Judge, to the paperwork
necessary on each case. I am experienced in handling every type of case
that gets filed in our Municipal Court System. During my time as the
Chief of Municipal Court (Feb 2014-Nov 2015) I oversaw the
prosecution of approximately 52,000 cases filed in the Municipal Court
system. Of those 52,000 cases almost 75% of the cases filed were OVI
and traffic related offenses. Since 2013 I have specialized in OVI,
traffic fatalities, and general traffic related offenses for the prosecutor’s
office. I am well trained, and very experienced in handling many of
these technical cases.
 Finally, my jury trial and motion experience set me apart from the other
candidates. During my time as a prosecutor I have tried well over 30 jury
trials, a combination of both felony and misdemeanor cases. I have handled
countless motions to suppress on both OVI offenses as well as aggravated
vehicular homicide/assault offenses. This has honed my evidentiary skills, and
has also given me insight in the issues that arise during both trials and
motions. This insight will allow me to make educated decisions while on the
bench without hesitation.
8. How would your friends/co-workers describe you? (Circle all that apply.)
Honest, fair, respectful, manipulative, patient, kind, shrewd, tough, polite, rude,
cooperative, intelligent, punctual, harsh, reasonable, impatient, passionate, informed,
analytical, dignified, arrogant, knowledgeable, conscientious, deliberative,
short-tempered, humble, diligent, thorough, inconsiderate, organized, cranky, caring,
articulate, pessimistic, consistent, stubborn, friendly, hard-working, cheerful, ethical,
flexible, unyielding, responsible.
9. Is there anything that demonstrates that you can stand up against opposition?
 As a prosecutor, my job has been to stand up to opposition. I have a
reputation as an aggressive trial attorney. Our criminal justice system is an
adversarial one, I have never been bullied or intimidated by defense attorneys
and I have always done my absolute best not only to do my job effectively but
to seek justice for all parties involved.
10. What do you get passionate about?
 Protecting victims of crime. As a prosecutor, one of my main duties is to
protect the people of our county and to not only seek justice in court, but also
to ensure that victims’ and their families’ voices are heard. Protecting our
county is one of greatest responsibilities I have ever been entrusted with, and I
refuse to let the people of Clermont County down.
11. What makes you angry?
 Being involved in cases involving children or the elderly have been the cases
that have really motivated me to continue to get better as a prosecutor.
Ensuring that criminals who prey on the defenseless are prosecuted and
incarcerated to the fullest extent of the law is my passion. I get angry when I
see other members of the court system begin to see this as a “job.” Our
decisions and actions as officers of the court have dramatic consequences on
all of those involved in each particular case. This profession requires a
concrete commitment and belief in our American system of justice.
12. What has been the most significant accomplishment in your professional career? In
your personal life?
 I cannot narrow down the most significant accomplishment of my professional
career to just one. Every time I secure true justice for victims of crime in
Clermont County, every time I can ensure the safety of our citizenry, and
every time I can ensure that justice is done (even if that requires the dismissal
of a case), I consider each of those my most significant professional
accomplishments. Those accomplishments are followed by the
accomplishment of earning the respect and trust of Mr. Vince Faris in
allowing me to run one of the divisions in his office. Mr. Faris trusted me to
raise the standards in the Municipal Division and ensure the division operated
according to his visions. He further trusted me with leading and teaching
young, new attorneys how to practice law and more specifically how to be
effective trial prosecutors.
 My most significant accomplishment in my personal life has been achieving
each goal I set for myself, from being a successful college athlete, to
completing law school, to becoming a prosecuting attorney, to owning my
own home in Miami Township. I have built a wonderful life and career, and
have surrounded myself with good friends and family while living in
Clermont County.
13. What are the major influences in your life?
 First and foremost, my parents. Although I later moved to Ohio for law
school from the east coast, my parents were born and raised in Loveland.
They made sure that they carried the conservative values that were instilled in
them in this area wherever we went. When I chose to make greater
Cincinnati and Clermont County my home, it was an easy fit because of this.
14. What is the proper role of government?
 As I stated above, the role of Government should be limited. The best way to
describe my views on this subject is via President Reagan. Government is not
the solution; Government is the problem. I believe in a strong local
government and limited state and federal government. Letting Cities, States,
and Localities decide what is best for them is the most logical and fair system.
Domestic Federal Government intervention has proven time and time again to
produce inefficient, illogical and more importantly unconstitutional results.
Worrying about legislating where American’s use the restroom rather than
fighting Islamic terrorism, rebuilding the middle class, reforming entitlements,
or finding a solution to illegal immigration sufficiently demonstrates how out
of touch big government has become with places such as Clermont County.
15. Where do our rights come from?
 God. Although our legal rights are enumerated in the Constitution, these
rights have been recognized throughout the ages. The creators of the
Constitution simply transcribed these God given rights into law.
16. Do you think government regulations have become too onerous? If so, how?
 Absolutely. Especially in the private sector simply because the “beaurocrats
know best.” Government regulation on private sector small business has had
devastating effects on middle class communities like Clermont County.
17. What is your interpretation of the 2nd Amendment as it relates to a citizen’s right to
bear arms?
 I believe that the 2nd Amendment originally stems from our God given right as
humans to protect ourselves, our loved ones, and our property; not only from
fellow citizens but from Government actors as well. I believe that the drafters
of the Constitution simply had written what is considered an inalienable right
among all men into American Law. I think the fact that the drafters had
written this God-given right into law makes the right to bear arms even more
explicit.
18. In what ways is the municipal court able to protect citizens’ property rights?
 Municipal Court is the court in which most people will come into contact with
the judicial system. It is imperative that the Municipal Court protect each
person’s Constitutional rights including property rights, by ensuring due
process for all and staying true to the principles of our founding fathers. This
can particularly be seen in the manner in which a Municipal Court judge
handles theft, trespass, and eviction cases. It is the duty of the Court to ensure
that no one’s property rights are infringed upon.
19.What existing laws or regulations provide the most challenges for municipal court
judges and why?
 Our legislature has at times attempted to restrict judicial discretion by
requiring mandatory jail sentences, fines, and license suspensions. Many of
these directives tie the hands of our judiciary and present real challenges for
courts wishing to impose effective sentences. One size does not necessarily fit
all when it concerns sentencing individuals for crimes.
20. Please rate your judicial philosophy regarding the U.S. Constitution on a scale of 110 with “living/evolving document” being 1 and “strict constructionist” being a 10:
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
21. What is justice?
 This is a particularly important question given the social climate today
involving police and citizen relations. It is easier to describe what justice is
not than what it is. Justice is not personal. The problem with today’s society
is that for some reason many citizens believe that they may personally define
justice, and if the result of a particular case does not meet their own personal
definition, then obviously justice has not prevailed. This is a silly and frankly
dangerous notion. Justice is simply applying the law to the given situation.
All parties may appeal a decision I would make, however my job as judge
would not be to pander to those with the loudest voices; it is the absolute
opposite. My job is to apply the law equally regardless of the parties. So
many have fought and sacrificed for equal justice for all; to make justice
impersonal rather than something defined by the individual, and that is exactly
what I would strive to do as judge.
22. What is the biggest concern you would have as a newly elected municipal court
judge and what would you do to address this concern?
 Substance abuse is the biggest concern facing our courts. From heroin to
alcohol, I have seen just how desperate addiction makes those who succumb
to it. There is nothing that some won’t do to support their addiction. From
stealing to using these substances behind the wheel of a car addicts put
innocent people at risk in our county on a daily basis. As a new judge, I would
strive to find effective ways not only to punish people for their criminal acts
that resulted from their addiction, but to treat the addiction itself as well.
23. In what ways can the municipal court judge protect the rights of the individual
while upholding laws enacted to protect the common good of the population?
 A Judge can and should achieve this by upholding our Constitutional
principles as established and intended by our founding fathers, and following
the law rather than legislating from the bench.
24. How should emotion affect/not affect a judge’s ruling on a case?
 Emotion should play no role in adjudicating a case. However, situations may
call for a firm or gentle touch. For example, accommodating a victim of
violent crime or a child victim by letting them testify via closed circuit T.V. to
avoid further traumatization would be an example of letting basic compassion
into the courtroom while balancing the right of the defendant to confront
witnesses. Emotion, whether it be compassion or contempt may play a limited
role in the courtroom but never at the expense of the law or the rights of the
parties.
25. Clermont County’s jail is often overcrowded and at times cannot accept additional
inmates. As a judge, what alternatives would you pursue to handle this situation?
 During my time as the Chief of the Municipal Division of the Prosecutor’s
Office I began to seek various alternatives to handle this very situation. One of
the steps I took was to work with the Municipal Court Judges to establish the
first formal diversion program in Municipal Court. The diversion program
allowed first time Theft, Underage Consumption, and Passing Bad Check
offenders to avoid convictions by completing various treatment and
community service sanctions. Additionally, I worked closely with the OVI
Court and CASC Program (Clermont County Community Alternative
Sentencing Center) to avoid overcrowding and overwhelming our jail. There
are also various methods pre-conviction that could alleviate jail overcrowding,
such as using GPS and EMU (Electronic Monitoring Units) to keep track of
defendants who are released on bond. These defendants can also be required
to report to probation for random toxicology screens to ensure that they are
not abusing drugs while on bond. Finally, working with the OVI Court
allowed me to personally observe the effectiveness of SCRAM Units
(Continuous Alcohol Monitoring Systems) which can ensure individuals
wearing the SCRAM unit do not consume any alcohol for the instillation
period.
26. How would your background as a defense attorney or as a prosecutor enhance your
ability to serve as a municipal court judge?
 As a prosecutor it has always been my job to seek justice, similar to the role of
a Judge. Prosecutors represent the people of the State of Ohio, and specifically
I represent the people of Clermont County. This representation does not fall
solely to victims. Unlike defense attorneys, prosecutors are tasked not with
representing a paying client or winning for that client at all costs, but are
required to do justice. This means if in reviewing cases a prosecutor
determines the evidence does not fit the charge, the case must be dismissed.
This also means that if the evidence does fit the charge, a prosecutor must
seek justice for the victims and all injured parties. We have seen in the news
recently that some judges have forgotten that justice applies to victims as well
as defendants, but an effective judge remembers that justice applies to each
and every party involved in the process just as prosecutors must do.