Guy C. Guckenberger Answers Questions

Candidate for
Judge; Municipal Court of Hamilton County; District 5

The questions were prepared by the League of Women Voters of Hamilton County and asked of all candidates for this office.

Read the answers from all candidates.

Questions & Answers

1. How would you promote diversity of law clerks, bailiffs and support staff, etc.?

"Although individual judges only have sole hiring authority over the judge's bailiff, we do influence the hiring of other courtroom staff. In the selection of courtroom staff, it is important that judges require this staff be reflective of the diversity of the people served by Municipal Court. The staff in my courtroom reflects this diversity."

2. Would you be in favor of countywide campaign finance regulations that would provide for public matching funds, limit campaign contributions and provide for more disclosure? What do you think of these ideas and why would you support or oppose such measures?

The Ohio Supreme Court strictly regulates judicial campaign financing. For example, individual contributions to Municipal Court campaigns are limited to $250, judges may not solicit contributions and committees may only raise funds for limited periods before and after the election. State laws and Supreme Court rules also require detailed disclosure of campaign and ethics matters. While the Ohio Supreme Court must decide, I am willing to consider further improvements to judicial campaign financing.

3. What single change in court polices and procedures would do the most to improve the administration of justice in Hamilton county?

The number of cases handled by each Municipal court judge must be reduced. We often handle 75, 100 or more cases a day. This high volume does not allow sufficient time for each case. Solutions might include: better use of technology to reduce the required court appearances; allowing fewer continuances; resolving more cases, such as bad check cases, without a court appearance; and emplying more judges or magistrates.