League of Women Voters of the Cincinnati Area Education Fund
	All of Hamilton County, OH November 6, 2012 Election
	Candidates Answer Questions on the Issues Justice; Ohio State Court of Appeals; District 1; 6 Year Term Starting 02/11/13

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 Qualifications, Adminstration of justice, Judical Independence Click on a name for candidate information.   See also more information about this contest. 1. What are your qualifications for office? (50 Word limit) Answer from Pat DeWine: I have served as a Common Pleas Court Judge for the past four years, presiding over thousands of cases. In addition, I was a practicing attorney for 13 years and served as a law clerk on the US Court of Appeals for the 6th Circuit. Answer from Bruce B. Whitman: I have practiced law as a sole practitioner for 32 years. I have experience in all types of law, specializing in litigation, both civil and criminal law. I have demonstrated over time my success in solving complex legal issues and dedication to the practice of law. 2. What specific changes would you like to see in the administration of justice in Ohio? (100 word limit) Answer from Bruce B. Whitman: The judicial branch should be co-equal with the executive and legislative. In the 32 years I have practiced law in Ohio I have seen diminishment of open access to courts by such mandates as damage caps, expansion of immunity, technical pleading requirement, and cost. I would like to see greater emphaisis on strict adherence to the Ohio Constitutional Section 1.16, Redress in courts, which requires open courts and equal and prompt justice. Jury instructions should be reformed so they are simple and in plain English. Answer from Pat DeWine: Judges should not legislate from the bench based upon their personal views but should apply the law fairly and consistently. Elected officials at all levels of government, including judges, must do more to insure that taxpayer dollars are appropriately managed. Our judicial system needs to do a better job of resolving cases in an expeditious manner. 3. What programs do you support to maintain the independence of the judiciary? Answer from Pat DeWine: I support the guarantees contained within our state and federal constitutions to maintain an independent judiciary. Answer from Bruce B. Whitman: There has to be reform of the financing of elections. Judges should not be allowed to directly or indirectly ask lawyers who appear in their courtroom for campaign contributions. We should remove primary elections for judges and make them truly non-partisan. 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. The order of the candidates is random and changes daily. Candidates who did not respond are not listed on this page.