Register-Mail.com - Galesburg Register-Mail Online

Five Republicans seek resident judge nomination

Election 2006

Thursday, March 16, 2006

GALESBURG - Five Republicans and four Democrats are seeking their respective party nominations for resident Knox County judge of the Ninth Judicial Circuit in Tuesday's primary election. The Republicans are John Rehn, Kimberly Norton, Steve Watts, Karl Johnson and Sherry Lawson-Sanchez. The candidates' responses to a Register-Mail questionnaire are below.

1. What are your qualifications for the position?

John Rehn: I received the highest overall rating for meeting the qualifications of the office in the Illinois State Bar Association judicial advisory poll. I am a trial attorney and former Knox County Bar Association president. I have represented clients in state trial court, federal trial court, state and federal appellate courts and the Illinois Supreme Court. I have jury trial experience in civil cases involving breach of contract, fraud, personal injury and wrongful death. I have criminal jury trial experience which includes armed robbery, DUI and murder. I possess the experience, ability and temperament for the position.

Kimberly Norton: I am an experienced trial lawyer. I am in court on a daily basis involved in civil cases including divorce, child support, child custody, visitation, juvenile abuse and neglect proceedings, adoption, real estate, small claims and other civil matters. I have handled criminal matters including everything from speeding tickets to capital murder cases. I have been a leader and active in my community for 15 years with such organizations as Galesburg Noon Lions Club, West-Central Illinois Legal Assistance Board of Directors, Knox County Bar Association and Teen Court volunteer judge. I am certified by the Illinois Supreme Court's Capital Litigation Bar.

Steve Watts: Twenty-seven years experience as Knox County assistant state's attorney and Illinois assistant attorney general with 32 total years experience as an attorney. As Knox County assistant state's attorney for family support made Knox County number one in Illinois in child support collected per case for three years. Knox County was also recognized as the most cost effective child support enforcement program in Illinois in two separate years. President, Knox County Teen Court 1996-2005, during my term as president I drafted statutes passed by the Illinois Legislature authorizing and funding teen courts in Illinois. Member and leader in many other community organizations. - Response edited for length.

Karl Johnson: I have served over 12 years as an assistant state's attorney in Knox County. I've been responsible for prosecuting cases in all divisions: felony, juvenile, mental health, traffic and DUI. I've provided daily advice to the many law enforcement agencies in our jurisdiction, Illinois Department of Children and Family Services and Court Services (probation). I've successfully prosecuted three homicide cases and dozens of jury and bench trials.

General law practice experience over the past four years, concentrating in family law, elder law and criminal defense.

Sherry Lawson-Sanchez: I am a licensed practicing attorney in the state of Illinois. I have owned and operated my own law office since 1999. In addition, I have worked in Knox County and Warren County public defense for the 12 years I have been practicing. I have been a Teen Court judge and have spent extensive hours mentoring interns from all the local high schools and colleges.

2. What are the strengths and weaknesses within the judicial system?

John Rehn: A strength of the judicial system is that it provides a civil arena to resolve disputes. The courts provide a system and home for justice. A strength of the judicial system includes the right to a jury trial which allows persons from each community to make ultimate decisions regarding guilt, innocence or civil liability. Additionally, the voters get to choose the circuit judges and have the ability to remove a circuit judge.

The weakness of the judicial system is that the courts cannot make bad people good, cannot undo a wrong and cannot please all people.

Kimberly Norton: The greatest strength of the judicial system is its accessibility. Anybody can have "their day in court," without a lawyer or great expense. A weakness of the system is the lawyer or judge who is not prepared when either walks into a courtroom. A lawyer needs to be prepared to present the facts and argue his client's position. A judge needs to know what the case is before her and be prepared to hear it whether a traffic ticket or a custody case. Each case is very important to the parties involved and a judge needs to respect that concern, by being prepared, sensitive, impartial and fair.

Steve Watts: The strength of our judicial system is that it is based upon a consistent standard. Our system is set up to reduce the discretion an individual judge has so that decisions are consistent and people, whether they be in Chicago, Decatur or Galesburg, are treated the same. To be fair the law must be consistently applied by the judges to obey the law and follow precedent. This can only be achieved if the judges who make the decisions set aside their personal ideologies, preferences and prejudices and strictly follow the law.

Our court system has many delays. Conscientious judges can reduce delays by properly monitoring the cases on their docket and pushing them forward to timely resolution. - Response edited for length.

Karl Johnson: The strengths within our judicial system are that it strives to be fair and impartial to all litigants. It has procedural safeguards in place and permits the public to participate in some aspects of the proceedings through petit and grand juries. Most proceedings are available for public viewing and reporting, making the law of the case and facts in the record transparent - this assures some measure of accountability. A weakness within our system is that some laws are vague or outdated, making it challenging to reconcile with the ever and fast-changing world in which we live.

Sherry Lawson-Sanchez: One of the biggest weaknesses is that often judges and lawyers tend to forget that the average person does not understand the legal system the way we do. More time needs to be spent by both judges and lawyers ensuring that everyone understands the proceedings. One strength is that each person has an opportunity to be heard and present their side of the case.

3. Summarize your judicial philosophy.

John Rehn: A judge's job is to interpret and apply the law. Judges should not rewrite the law or legislate from the bench. Judges should provide a fair hearing and reserve judgment until both sides have presented evidence and arguments. Judges should personally observe high standards of conduct so that the integrity and independence of the judiciary are preserved. It is essential to our system of justice that circuit judges be independent and competent and fairly interpret the laws that govern us. Judges should honor the judicial office and make all efforts to enhance and maintain confidence in our legal system.

Kimberly Norton: I believe a good judge is someone who treats each person in front of her with the same respect and consideration that she would want in her own life. A good judge listens to each person's testimony. A judge makes an informed and knowledgeable decision putting aside any bias and prejudice which she might have judging each case fairly. A good judge keeps current on changes in the law, and draws on her own legal expertise and knowledge when rendering a fair decision.

Steve Watts: A circuit judge's job is to make decisions. To make the tough choices the law requires. Whether it's a simple motion to continue a case, the admissibility of evidence, the guilt or innocence of a defendant, or custody of a child, a judge is called on to make a decision. That is the job.

The judge should make those decisions based on the facts and law promptly without favoritism or prejudice of any kind. In court he/she should be prompt, courteous, straightforward and consistent in his/her demeanor.

A circuit judge does a disservice if he/she seeks to promote a conservative, liberal or other ideology. His/her only ideology should be fairness. - Response edited for length.

Karl Johnson: A judge needs to listen carefully to the case and apply the facts to the pertinent law. A judge needs to conduct himself in a way that upholds the integrity and impartiality of the office. A judge is not an advocate of either side, but he does have the responsibility to fairly resolve the legal issue before him.

Sherry Lawson-Sanchez: Judges should strive to be patient, fair, and open-minded. They should be willing to listen fully to both sides in a case and not be afraid to do what is right.

4. What attributes do you possess that make you the best candidate for this job?

John Rehn: I possess legal ability, judicial temperament and court management skills as confirmed by my peers. (I received the highest rating of all candidates for each of these categories and for meeting the requirements the office of Resident Circuit Judge in the Judicial Advisory Poll conducted by the Illinois State Bar Association.) I was raised in Knox County and possess a degree in agricultural industries. I have experience working outside of the legal profession. As a husband and father raising a family I am better equipped to address juvenile issues that would come before the court.

Kimberly Norton: I possess a wide and broad base of legal experience, in both criminal and civil law. I have extensive trial and courtroom experience. I have been a leader and active in my community with many civic and legal organizations. I am knowledgeable about all the types of cases that come before a judge. I am hardworking. I have the impartiality, integrity, sensitivity, legal knowledge, skills, organizational abilities, court management skills, temperament and ability to make the hard decisions.

Steve Watts: In his endorsement of me Ray Kimbell, former Knox County State's Attorney, listed my attributes. He stated:

"#1 - Character and integrity - On a daily basis Steve embodies the time-honored virtues of honesty, loyalty, responsibility, compassion and humility. Steve's word is his bond. ...

#2 - Competence - Steve knows the law and, equally important, he knows how to apply it to a client's specific situation. ...

#3 - Experience - Steve's years in the practice of law involving a variety of cases speak for themselves. But let me also point out what may be a little known fact, namely, he was a hearing officer for the Illinois Secretary of State for eight years. That means he performed functions virtually identical to those performed by a judge - listening to evidence and arguments, applying the law to the evidence, and deciding the issues; in these cases deciding fairly and impartially whether a license should be reinstated. ..." - Response edited for length.

Karl Johnson: I am a fair and impartial person by nature, and have been recognized by my peers as having an appropriate judicial temperament. I have broad and significant experience in most of the types of cases that will be before me as a circuit Judge. I will work hard to maintain the public's trust in the integrity of the office of circuit judge.

Sherry Lawson-Sanchez: I was born and raised in Knox County. I understand the values of our area. I am a strong, fair person who listens patiently and is willing to do what is right. I have worked with a wide variety of people and in many areas of law.

Rehn

John Rehn

Age: 38

Address: 1816 N. Broad St., Galesburg

Telephone: 344-0121

Education: Graduated from AlWood High School; graduated with honors from the University of Illinois College of Agriculture; graduated with honors from the University of Notre Dame Law School

Occupation: Attorney; currently self employed as John Rehn, Attorney at Law

Party Affiliation: Republican

Prior elected offices held or sought: None

Norton

Kimberly Norton

Age: 41

Address: 161 S. Cherry St., Galesburg

Telephone: 344-0500

Education: Earlham College (1986), Richmond, Ind., bachelor of arts in political science; John Marshall Law School (1990), Chicago

Occupation: Lawyer since 1991

Party Affiliation: Republican

Prior elected offices held or sought: None

Watts

Steve Watts

Age: 57

Address: East Galesburg

Telephone: 344-3409

Education: 1967 graduate of Galesburg High School; 1971 graduate of Illinois Wesleyan University; 1974 graduate of University of Iowa Law School

Occupation: Attorney

Party Affiliation: Republican

Prior elected offices held or sought: 1992 - ran for state Legislature, defeated in primary; 1994 - ran for circuit judge, defeated in primary; 2001 appointed and in 2003 elected as trustee of village of East Galesburg; term ended in May 2005

Johnson

Karl A. Johnson

Age: 46

Address: 1526 N. Knox Road, Altona

Telephone: (309) 484-2061

Education: Bachelor of arts from Augustana College, classics and English, state teaching certificate 6-12; J.D., Southern Illinois University School of Law

Occupation: Attorney at law, associate with Hattery, Simpson and West

Party Affiliation: Republican

Prior elected offices held or sought: No response