Candidate for
Justice; Pennsylvania Superior Court; Republican Party

My judicial philosophy is rooted in the notion that we must adhere to the necessity of preserving the separation of powers of the three branches and to acknowledge the important role each must play in government. The judicial branch is charged with interpreting the laws enacted by the legislature. It is the job of a judge to interpret the law and not to act as a "super legislator" by imposing "judge-made" law in place of democratically elected officials. To do otherwise is to create a threat to the values of stability and predictability. Judicial restraint is the only judicial philosophy that preserves those values--values which are paramount to the proper maintenance of a majoritarian system such as our own.

I also believe that all parties are equal in the eyes of the law and must be treated fairly and impartially. Every litigant is entitled to his or her day in court and must be treated with respect. In fact the touchstone of my philosophy is respect. It is paramount that a judge respect the law, the legal system, the lawyers and the litigants.