JEFFERSONVILLE: Judge candidates differ on role of city court

Jeffersonville City Court judicial candidates Scott Lewis and Ken Pierce have at least one thing in common — they are both experienced attorneys who have spent time on the judicial bench.

However, the similarities end there, leaving voters to decide which approach to the bench they wish to support. Lewis, current judge since being appointed in January, is a 37-year-old Republican. Pierce, 33, is a Democrat and also has served as judge pro tempore at several courts in the area.

Lewis wants to continue working toward residents taking the city court — which rules on misdemeanors such as battery and public intoxication — more seriously. If Pierce takes the bench, he would like to implement awareness programs encouraging the same thinking.

The main difference is in how each candidate wants to use the bench to serve the community. Lewis is working with several area ministers to implement faith-based programs against alcoholism, similar to Alcoholics Anonymous. Pierce wants to reach youth through area schools and give them a chance to learn the skills and have the community support they need not to end up in the court system.

“We really need to strengthen our existing city alcohol education and we are an adult court,” Lewis said. “Clark Superior Court No. 1 already has programs dealing with the youth and I don’t think we should do anything in the city court except deal with adults. The money is just not there.”

However, Pierce says the money allotted to the court can be more effectively used to uphold the law, provide resident safety and reach youth before it is too late. He also says by using off-duty police officers and security for the court — instead of using three on-duty Jeffersonville police officers — he can save taxpayers money.

“On-duty officers belong on the streets to protect our citizens,” Pierce said. “We can get the same security for less money and be able to better protect people out on the street during the court sessions.”

A flyer with Pierce’s mug shot from an old drunken driving arrest was distributed to residents during the campaign, but Lewis said he had nothing to do with that and it was from the Clark County Republican Party. In July 2004, Pierce was convicted in Jeffersonville City Court of Class B misdemeanor public intoxication, following his arrest during the previous month by an Indiana State Police trooper on suspicion of the Class A misdemeanor driving while intoxicated.

“I have run a completely positive campaign,” Lewis said. “I feel I have the most experience and have a clean record, and would not have done such a thing [distribute negative campaign literature].”

Pierce has publicly expressed regret for his past indiscretion, and says it will not interfere with his ability to serve. He wants to continue moving forward with his life as an attorney and hopefully judge, and says he hopes to show teenagers that judges and police officers are not people to fear through what he would call a “lunch with the judge” program.

“I think accountability is important,” Pierce said. “Kids can be rewarded for good behavior at school, get attention from officials and next time they think about shoplifting they will know people in the community know who they are and support them.”

Because the city court is often the first step toward a life as a criminal, or a one-time occurrence, Lewis and Pierce both say they want to do everything they can to ensure people learn their lesson the first time in the courtroom.

“We need to try to be a fair and just court,” Lewis said. “I hope I can be a part of expanding probation services.”

Pierce said if he was elected, he would have every defendant complete some kind of mandatory probation to discourage repeat offenders and avoid contributing to family poverty and exacerbating jail overcrowding with active incarceration in every case.

“I believe rehabilitation is necessary,” Pierce said. “While incarceration is a well-known deterrent, it is typically only used as a last resort.”

Clark County

Search Results

Discussion

Site Map

Contact Us