Editor’s Note: Submissions appear as the candidates submitted them without editing.Candidates are listed in alphabetical order. Except where noted, questionnaires are only being published for contested races.

Judge of Superior Court No. 3 Democratic Primary

Richard G. (Rich) Bolin

• AGE: 63

• EDUCATION HIGHLIGHTS: West Spring Street Elementary School; Hazelwood Junior High School; New Albany High School, class of 1962, graduated 17th in a class of 420; Indiana University, AB, 1966 [Major: Government; Minor: Economics], Residence Scholar, President of dormitory; Indiana University School of Law, JD, 1973, with honors; member of the Law Journal, whose members are chosen from the top of the class; article published in the Indiana Law Journal.

• CAREER HIGHLIGHTS: My wife and I served in the United States Peace Corps in Uganda, East Africa. I was admitted to practice law before the Indiana Supreme Court and the United States District Court for the Southern District of Indiana in 1973 and the United States Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit in 1977. I am a Fellow of the Indiana Bar Foundation, a member of the Sherman Minton American Inn of Court, and a member of the Indiana and Floyd County Bar Associations. I have been a certified Mediator since 1992.

• FAMILY NOTES: My wife Ellen and I were married on June 10, 1966. She has a master's degree in library science and works at the Clarksville Branch Library. We have one daughter, Jennifer, who is an elementary school special-education teacher.

1) Why are you running for this position?

“I just want to do the work, and utilize a lifetime of trial experience on behalf of the citizens of Floyd County. The Indiana Legislature created Floyd Superior Court No. 3 to alleviate the heavy judicial caseload in Floyd County. I have reached a level of life experience and legal experience where I think I am well-qualified to help with that caseload. I have no agenda of reform. I am not critical of the court system. I think the current judges are good and capable people, working hard for the citizens of Floyd County. I just want to help reduce their heavy workload as the Legislature envisioned.”

2) What is the most important issue facing this position and what is your plan to resolve it?

“Right now Floyd County has a Circuit Court, a Superior Court, and a County Court, each with its own Judge, and a Magistrate Judge who assists those judges. On January 1, 2009, Superior Court will become Superior Court No. 1; County Court will be elevated to a Superior Court and become Superior Court No. 2; and a brand-new court will become Superior Court No. 3. Despite the different names, Circuit Court and the three Superior Courts will have essentially the same jurisdiction, and do essentially the same kinds of work. They are the basic trial courts of the Indiana judicial system. On January 1, 2009, the most important matter on the agenda will be for Circuit Court, the three Superior Courts, and the Magistrate Judge to coordinate their efforts to handle their heavy caseload as efficiently and as cohesively as possible. I am sure the judges will discuss jail overcrowding, youth programs, court procedures, court administration, and a host of other matters. However, the court system works well now. It is just a matter of alleviating the heavy caseload, and coordinating the operations of the four courts.”

3) What unique contribution will you make to local office?

“Rather than uniqueness, I think it is a matter of degree. All of the candidates have community experience, but I was born here, grew up here, went to school here, and have practiced law here since 1973. I have been a participant in the life of this community for 63 years. All of the candidates have some kind of legal experience, but Floyd Superior Court No. 3 will be primarily a trial court. I have devoted virtually my entire career to trial work. Please see my answer to the final question. The Judge of Floyd Superior Court No. 3 is going to make important decisions every single day for the next six years. It matters who sits on that bench. I think I have the life experience and the legal experience to make those important decisions. There is one unique thing that I bring to this campaign. I do not accept campaign contributions. I am not a politician. My campaign is based on neutrality. I do not ask you for anything except your vote. In return, I promise you only that I will work hard and be fair.”

4) Have you ever been convicted of a non-traffic court crime in the United States? if so, please explain all relevant instances.

“No.”

READER-SUBMITTED QUESTIONS

What do you think should be the local role and responsibility in dealing with illegal immigration?

“Indiana Code of Judicial Conduct Rule 5A(3) provides that a judicial candidate shall not make statements that commit the candidate with respect to issues that may come before the court. Rule 3E(1) further provides that a judge shall disqualify himself in a proceeding in which the judge's impartiality might reasonably be questioned. Therefore, I am not allowed to answer the question. I can tell you that the Judge of Floyd Superior Court No. 3 will not have any policymaking role with respect to immigration. A Judge has a duty to uphold the law regardless of his personal views. If a case involving some aspect of immigration were to come before the court, I would apply the law as it then exists to the facts as presented by the parties, utilizing the specific statutes, case law and other legal authorities which apply to the specific situation.”

Describe your courtroom trial experience. How strong is your experience at trial, particularly as lead attorney in jury trials? Are you properly trained to adjudicate capital cases? Will you be able to run a professional courtroom on the day you take office? In other words, what about your courtroom experience would lead voters to believe you won't need “training wheels” in your first years.

“My legal career since 1973 has been devoted almost exclusively to trial work. I have been lead trial counsel on many important cases, in many different courtrooms, both State and Federal. I was lead counsel and successfully concluded one of the largest, most difficult and most complex cases ever to arise in the State of Indiana. I have represented many people who have been terribly injured, and I have defended cases. I have practiced with some of the best trial lawyers in Indiana, and against some of the best trial lawyers in Indiana. I doubt that many, if any, attorneys in Floyd County have handled more appeals than I have handled in both State and Federal courts. Appeals require meticulous legal research and writing with respect to the facts of the case and the applicable law. This meticulous attention to detail prepares a judge to conduct a trial carefully and appropriately, and to handle the presentation of evidence in a way that will minimize the chances of being reversed on appeal. I have devoted my life to developing those trial and appellate skills. Now I would like to utilize them on behalf of the citizens of Floyd County.”

Maria D. Granger

• AGE: 39

• EDUCATION HIGHLIGHTS: Doctorate of Jurisprudence, Indiana University School of Law; Bachelor of Science, Indiana University; Licensed to practice law before the Indiana Supreme Court, Indiana Court of Appeals, Indiana Trial Courts, United States Federal Courts for Northern and Southern Districts; Specialized jury trial training at the National District Attorney’s (Prosecutor’s) Association, and Continuing Legal Education coursework. Further details on GrangerforJudge.com.

• CAREER HIGHLIGHTS: Indiana Supreme Court Hearing Officer chosen by Chief Justice Shepard to conduct Attorney Discipline cases.

— Superior and Circuit Court Referee chosen by Scott County Judges to conduct family law cases.

— Professional Judge Memberships: American Judges Association and Association of Women Judges

— Judge Pro Tem: Floyd Circuit Court, Floyd County Court, and Scott Circuit Court.

Adjunct Professor, evening Business Law Course, Indiana University Southeast.

— Deputy Prosecuting Attorney – prosecuting crimes in Floyd and Clark counties.

— Attorney, Floyd County Office of Family and Children handling cases of child abuse and neglect.

— Private law practice: acquired historical building (former license branch) now Granger Law Office at 415 East Main Street, New Albany - helping property owners, families, small businesses and estate matters in Southern Indiana.

— Professional Attorney Memberships: American, Indiana, Floyd County Bar Associations.

— Advisory Board Member, Indiana Continuing Legal Education Opportunity (ICLEO) chosen by Chief Justice Shepard to help disadvantaged college graduates get a legal education.

— Secretary, Board of Directors, Legal Services Organization of Indiana 1997-2000 providing legal services to people in poverty.

— Business and Professional Woman of Achievement 2006.

— Civic Service: Judge volunteer, We the People program for New Albany-Floyd County students; Associate Member, Fraternal Order of Police; American Legion Auxiliary, One Southern Indiana; NAACP; Community Foundation’s Multicultural Advisory Council; Business and Professional Women; Frank C. Denzinger Scholarship Committee; Floyd County Women Democrat Club; Knights of Columbus Cardinal Ritter Council #1221 Ladies Auxiliary; Kappa, Kappa, Kappa and the BPO Elks Lodge 270

• FAMILY NOTES: “My husband, Steve, and I share three children, Drake who lives at home, Sarah, a nursing student at Southern Illinois University and Steven, an army medic who gave his life for our country in Iraq on August 8, 2006, but lives on in our grandson Andrew with whom we enjoy spending time. Our family attends St. Mary’s Catholic Church. I grew up the daughter of loving, working parents who instilled in me strong family values of Integrity, Fairness and Respect. I am the first in my family to become a Supreme Court Hearing Officer, Superior and Circuit Court Referee, Adjunct Professor or attorney. I help individuals from similar backgrounds pursue their dream of becoming a lawyer through service with the Indiana Continuing Legal Education Opportunity (ICLEO). Our Indiana Supreme Court Chief Justice chose me three years ago to serve with him on this seven-member board. My life experience strengthens my ability to listen, understand, be patient and use common sense in my current judge roles of Supreme Court Hearing Officer and court Referee. My life experience will help make me an effective Judge of our new Floyd Superior Court 3.”

1) Why are you running for this position?

“I am running for Judge to build our new Floyd Superior Court 3 on Integrity, Fairness and Respect. Some fear the courts because they believe they will be treated unfairly. I will strive to ensure that anyone who appears before this court receives nothing less than honest, fair and respectful treatment. To accomplish this, I will draw from my unique background, real judge experience and genuine concern for Floyd County. As a Supreme Court Hearing Officer I hear cases involving improper attorney conduct where the person accused, legal counsel and many witnesses are attorneys. I earn these appointments from Indiana Chief Justice Shepard because in the courtroom I lead with an even temper, common sense, and fairness. As Superior and Circuit Court Referee I regularly decide cases involving families. In these judge roles, I hear both sides and make fair decisions. As an attorney, I am a strong courtroom advocate and trusted counsel for my clients. As an Adjunct Professor at Indiana University Southeast I devote time to teaching law. As Judge of our new Floyd Superior Court 3, I will serve justice, give my best to Floyd County, and raise confidence in our courts using Integrity, Fairness and Respect.”

2) What is the most important issue facing this position and what is your plan to resolve it?

“Floyd County’s new Superior Court 3 was created to decrease the caseload burden on our court system which contributes to overcrowding in our jail. A new court led by a judge with real judge experience helps solve this problem. Serving in the roles of judge as Supreme Court Hearing Officer and Superior and Circuit Court Referee, I know it is important to move cases efficiently while insuring individual rights. To move cases more swiftly, I will spend additional time outside normal courthouse hours to handle criminal cases of individuals in jail so those cases can be completed in a time frame that reduces the tax burden on Floyd County residents. As a former Deputy Prosecuting Attorney, I also understand that a community thrives when its citizens are safe. I will be tough on deserving, repeat and violent offenders. As Judge of Floyd Superior Court 3, I will make sure this court is rooted in Integrity, Fairness and Respect, serves justice and is good for Floyd County.”

3) What unique contribution will you make to local office?

“I offer Floyd County citizens a unique combination of judge and attorney experience. My background includes courtroom experience fighting crime, safeguarding children and elderly from abuse, protecting crime victims, collecting thousands of dollars of child support, and service as Judge Pro Tem. I also am experienced inside the classroom as an Adjunct Professor of Business Law at Indiana University Southeast. My hard work as an attorney through the years earned recognition of the Chief Justice through my appointment as Hearing Officer for the Indiana Supreme Court. I also earned recognition of judges through my appointment as the Scott Superior and Circuit Court Referee. In these judge roles, I hear cases, rule on motions, evidence and testimony, prepare findings and orders and issue rulings.

“Floyd County deserves a uniquely qualified Judge for our new Superior Court 3 who:

• Has real judge experience

• Will build the court on Integrity, Fairness and Respect

• Leads from the judge’s bench with an even temper

• Has strong family values

• Earned the confidence of judges and our Indiana Supreme Court Chief Justice

• Uses common sense

• Listens with patience and understanding

• Gives freely for the good of Floyd County.”

4) Have you ever been convicted of a non-traffic court crime in the United States? if so, please explain all relevant instances.

“No. I have never been convicted, arrested, detained or under investigation or suspicion of a non-traffic court crime in the United States. Additionally, I have never been disciplined in my profession for improper conduct in or out of the courtroom, or for violating any rule of professional responsibility as an attorney, or faced with a complaint from any person that I acted in a manner that may be considered wrong, unlawful or not in the best interest of my client.”

READER-SUBMITTED QUESTIONS

What do you think should be the local role and responsibility in dealing with illegal immigration?

“As Judge, my responsibility to an illegal immigrant or any individual who comes before the court is to treat them with Integrity, Fairness and Respect and to uphold and follow the law. I will notify the appropriate federal agency of an illegal immigrant who appears before the court as the law requires.”

Describe your courtroom trial experience. How strong is your experience at trial, particularly as lead attorney in jury trials? Are you properly trained to adjudicate capital cases? Will you be able to run a professional courtroom on the day you take office? In other words, what about your courtroom experience would lead voters to believe you won't need “training wheels” in your first years.

“I will not need “training wheels” on my first day as judge because my courtroom experience includes real judge experience in addition to service as an attorney and of course, Judge Pro Tem. For the new Floyd Superior Court 3, I am the only candidate with real judge experience as a Supreme Court Hearing Officer and as a Superior and Circuit Court Referee. In these judge positions I conduct the hearings, rule on testimony, motions and evidence, apply the law and decide the cases. I am the candidate with a most years of public service as Deputy Prosecuting Attorney during which time I handled hundreds of criminal cases as lead counsel in the courtroom before judges and juries. I am the only candidate who received special training in conducting trials for District and Deputy Prosecuting Attorneys nationwide to adjudicate any type of criminal case at the National District Attorney’s Association Training Center. I have handled many civil cases involving families, children, contracts and property. By electing me Judge, Floyd County voters can be confident that I will run a professional courtroom on day one just as I do as Supreme Court Hearing Officer and Superior and Circuit Court Referee.”

Stan Robison

• AGE: 53

• EDUCATION HIGHLIGHTS: 1973 Graduate, New Albany High School; 1977 Bachelor of Science, Indiana University 1983 Doctor of Jurisprudence, University of Louisville

• CAREER HIGHLIGHTS: 1983-Present: Trial Lawyer, Law office of Stan Robison

1983-1985: Public Defender, Clark Circuit and Superior Courts

1985-1989: Deputy Prosecutor, Floyd County

1992-2000: Police Merit Commission Attorney, Attorney for the New Albany City Plan Commission, New Albany Parks Board

2007: Faculty, Indiana Death Penalty Seminar

Member: Indiana Bar Association, Floyd Courty and Harrison County Bar Associations, Sherman Minton Inn of Court, Legal Volunteers, Region 14, American Trial Lawyers Association FAMILY NOTES: Married to the former Marge Kruer, 28 years. She has been teaching for 31 years. My daughter, Sarah, is 24 and is an elementary teacher in Jeffersonville. My son Daniel, is 23 and is a graduate student at the Ernie Pyle School of Journalism, Indiana University.

1) Why are you running for this position?

“I want to serve Floyd County as its first Floyd Superior 3 Judge, because it is vitally important that the people are served by a qualified person who has provided experienced and proven legal leadership for over two decades.

“My background and education as well as my life long bond with our community make me uniquely qualified for this position.”

2) What is the most important issue facing this position and what is your plan to resolve it?

“Then most important issues facing this position are fairness and court congestion. I plan to alleviate court congestion by simply working more hours and moving the cases in a timely and efficient manner. This partially addresses the fairness issue with respect to delay of case movement. I would be proactive by doing my own legal research and not relying entirely on the litigants and their lawyers to provide the information and legal resources necessary to render and fair and legal decision.”

3) What unique contribution will you make to local office?

“Service to the people should be the hallmark of any public office. I will be in office to serve you. Unfortunately, there have been offices which have lost sight of the fact that it is your office, not that of the office holder. In the event that I am honored to serve as your Superior Court 3 Judge, I will have expanded hours of operation and a night court which will allow people with routine matters will not have to take off work to complete them. This would include protective orders, uncontested divorces and paternity cases, and in some instances, juvenile matters.”

4) Have you ever been convicted of a non-traffic court crime in the United States? if so, please explain all relevant instances.

“No.”

READER-SUBMITTED QUESTIONS

What do you think should be the local role and responsibility in dealing with illegal immigration?

“There has been an emerging trend involving local governments enacting ordinances in an attempt to curb immigration. Recently, several of these laws have been upheld by the Federal Courts. In view of the failed attempt at Federal illegal immigration reform, the burden of dealing with the problem has fallen upon our local governments and state courts. The Arizona and Missouri cases have shown us that we must be vigilant and professional in handling litigants who are illegal immigrants. I do not think that illegals should be allowed to maintain lawsuits in our system. I also believe that such immigrants who charged with violating our criminal statutes should be informed of the charges against them and the possible penalties with the aid of an interpreter certified to render that service. I will contact the USCIS (United States Citizenship and Immigration Service) to determine the legal status of the accused. If that person is an illegal immigrant, he or she will be held until deportation is completed.”

Describe your courtroom trial experience. How strong is your experience at trial, particularly as lead attorney in jury trials? Are you properly trained to adjudicate capital cases? Will you be able to run a professional courtroom on the day you take office? In other words, what about your courtroom experience would lead voters to believe you won't need “training wheels” in your first years.

“I have been a trial lawyer for 25 years. I am the candidate in this race with the most trial experience. I have tried murder, burglary, robbery cases . I tried my first jury trial two weeks after I became licensed to practice. I represented a widow who was wrongfully denied life insurance benefits. This was a great start for my career. I tried an average of five jury trials per year and over 800 bench trials since that day in June, 1983. I have been lead counsel, trying cases to verdict in a varied and wide array of civil cases. As defense counsel, I have proudly served as a contract public defender and private counsel on some gravely serious cases, including a double murder case during the past year. From small claims to complex civil litigation, and misdemeanors to murder, I have the experience that is vital to serve as the first judge of Floyd Superior Court 3.”

“It is quite possible that during the first days of the new court, the judge will be called upon to preside over a jury trial or a complex bench trial. I am able to conduct these trials from the first day. After a quarter century of proven and experienced service in the legal community, “training wheels” will not be needed.

“I have served Floyd Circuit and Superior Courts as Judge Pro Tem on many occasions during the past twenty years when a sitting judge must attend training or other duties associated with their offices. I have been called upon to handle the “busy days” of those courts, because the judges trust me to make the tough and right decisions in their absence.”