It has been more than 20 years since two, six-year term judgeships were vacant for the same election. But because of the retirement of two 30th Circuit Court judges, Ingham County voters are faced with that situation this Election Day.
Lansing 54-A District Court Judge Beverly Nettles-Nickerson, Lansing attorney Hugh Clarke Jr., East Lansing 54-B District Court Judge Richard Ball and Ingham County family division attorney Janelle Lawless are running for two open judgeships.
At a forum at the Union this month, all four candidates agreed about solving jail overcrowding, improving juvenile justice and implementing a more user-friendly court system.
The two nonpartisan judge candidates who are elected will each receive a salary of $139,919 annually. The candidate with the most votes will take the general court judge position and the runner-up will take the juvenile court bench.
The jurisdiction of Circuit Court judges involves civil cases seeking more than $25,000 in damages and all criminal cases where the defendant could be sent to prison.
Ball said jail overcrowding needs to be confronted in addition to court reorganization and juvenile justice.
After 22 years of experience as a lawyer and 54-B District Court judge, Ball said he is fair, confident and qualified for the position.
“I’m certainly familiar with the dynamics of this community and students’ interest,” Ball said.
Upon reorganizing the court, Ball said he would like to see judges work more hand-in-hand. To make the juvenile justice system better, Ball said private organizations could mentor children rather than using the foster care system.
Clarke said after 22 years of trial cases spanning from district, circuit and appellant court cases, he knows how to treat people fairly and with dignity.
The three top priorities Clarke said he would tackle as a Circuit Court judge are jail overcrowding, conducting court on time and implementing programs to help troubled families.
“I have more of a appreciation for people’s time,” said Clarke, who added that if a student is scheduled for a court appearance it’s important that court starts on time so they get to class on time.
In an attempt to curtail jail overcrowding, Clarke said he would issue sentences for community service over jail time whenever possible.
“They lock kids up for things that are ridiculous,” Clarke said. “Put them to work.”
Nettles-Nickerson said after 12 years of serving as a 54-A District Court judge, she’s ready to step up to the next bench. She said she will do that with a fair and impartial stance.
“This is the perfect timing,” said Nettles-Nickerson, who explained she has three children who are now in public school during the day. She said a recommendation from a retiring 30th Circuit Court judge prompted her to run for the position.
Nettles-Nickerson said her three top priorities as a Circuit Court judge would be to offer alternative sentencing for nonviolent offenders, to create a more user-friendly court system and to retain a cohesive bench.
She said she wants to make sure drug offenders are given the assistance they need to overcome addictions.
Lawless said being a front-line worker within the court system has given her the opportunity to make the system more user-friendly. She also is Ingham County Probate Court register and administrator, which gives her the authorization to conduct child abuse, adoption and delinquent court hearings.
“I want to take the Circuit Court to another level,” said Lawless, who added possessing an appropriate demeanor is important as a judge. “We want to make sure the best service is given at all levels.”
Other priorities toping Lawless’ list if she is an elected judge are placement programs for juvenile offenders, accessibility to courts and jail overcrowding.
