League of Women Voters of the Cincinnati Area Education Fund
Hamilton County, OH November 4, 2008 Election
	Norma J.H. Davis Answers Questions Candidate for Judge; Court of Common Pleas; 6 Year Term Starting 1/04/09

The questions were prepared by the League of Women Voters of the Cincinnati Area and asked of all candidates for this office.
Read the answers from all candidates (who have responded).

Questions & Answers

1. What are the two most pressing issues you will face if you are elected? (50 word limit)

The two most pressing issues are:1) fair and efficient administration of justice; and 2)sentencing that protects community safety while guarding constitutional rights of defendants and avoiding jail overcrowding.

2. How will you address each of those issues? (100 word limit)

I will fairly and efficienly administer justice by making sure that I thoroughly understand the Rules of Criminal and Civil Procedure and Evidence; making sure that I am familiar with precedent in docketed cases; listening carefully in bench and jury trials; and ruling promptly. I will move the docket along without ignoring fundamental rights. I will address the sentencing issue by using alternatives to jail, including electronic monitoring,in the cases of first time offenders and tough sentences for repeat offenders.

3. What is your position on merit selection of the judiciary? (100 word limit)

Although not defined here, I assume merit selection will be based on legal experience and achievement. Such selection would significantly improve the quality of the judiciary and address the public perception that some people cannot get justice in our courts. With the currect selection process, election outcomes are generally based on high name recognition and who has the most money (these are often synonymous). Generally the candidate with the most money wins whether s/he is the best candidate. Even if a merit selection process is used, the selection may turn on which candidate is owed the most by the selector rather than on who is the best candidate.

4. What would be a fair way to evaluate the performance of a sitting judge? (100 word limit)

A fair way to evaluate the performance of a sitting judge would be to have periodic reviews by a panel of administrative judges using an evaluation tool designed by court administrators with input from seasoned judges. A part of the evaluation tool should include anonymous feedback from attorneys who appear regularly before the sitting judge. Such feedback should be obtained by a firm obtained by the local or state bar associations. Judges who perform well should be rewarded for that performance. Judges who consistently perform poorly should be given training designed to address deficiencies.

5. What is your opinion about mandatory sentencing? (100 word limit)

Mandatory sentencing may result in miscarriage of justice. Judges should have sentencing discretion within the limits set by the legislature. Sentencing guidelines are more useful. Unless mandatory sentencing guidelines are carefully crafted so that no group gets favored treatment, such sentencing will result in harsher sentences for some populations. Perhaps the best known example is the harsher mandatory sentencing for crack cocaine as opposed to powder cocaine.

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Responses to questions asked of each candidate are reproduced as submitted to the League.  Candidates' statements are presented as submitted. The answer must not exceed 100 words. Direct references to opponents are not permitted.

Read the answers from all candidates (who have responded).

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Created from information supplied by the candidate: September 16, 2008 07:57
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