League of Women Voters of the Cincinnati Area Education Fund
Hamilton County, OH November 4, 2008 Election
	Fred Nelson Answers Questions Candidate for Judge; Court of Common Pleas; 6 Year Term Starting 2/10/09

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)

A judge must always seek to ascertain and fairly and consistently apply the relevant law, without fear or favor. Judges also should handle cases efficiently and promote prompt and just resolution of legal controversies; as appropriate, criminal sentences imposed consistent with law and good judgment can help protect our community.

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

As a judge, I have worked hard to follow the law as written. Judges should not impose their own policy preferences from the bench, but instead must be constrained by the will of the people as expressed by the legislature and in the State and federal Constitutions. I try to treat everyone with civility, evenhandedly, and justly under the rule of law. In civil cases, I also encourage alternative dispute resolution to benefit the parties and the public, and I meet regularly with the sides to move cases along to appropriate resolution. I strive to impose appropriate criminal sentences.

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

I defer to the policy judgment of the people of Ohio on the question of how best to select state court judges. Having worked on issues of judicial selection at the federal level, I am familiar with that system; I also have had the great honor of being elected to serve on our Hamilton County Common Pleas Court, and I work to uphold the confidence that the voters have placed in me.

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

Real experience on the bench is of course a very significant qualification for re-election. I invite the public to evaluate fairly the depth and clarity of my significant written opinions, to consider my efforts always to apply the law as I understand it to be, and to examine my record in the prompt and appropriate resolution of legal disputes. Voters also can look at a judge's continuing educational efforts: for example, I am privileged to have been selected by the Ohio Supreme Court to participate in the Advanced Science and Technology Adjudication Resource program that trains judges in presiding over complex scientific issues.

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

Ohio law does provide specified mandatory sentences for certain very serious crimes. I impose the law as written.

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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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