Justice of the Supreme Court - Eight-Year Term - Vote for
Two (2)
Candidates were asked to summarize their backgrounds in 75
words and were allotted 75 words to answer each question. If the candidate did not reply by the
required date for publication, the words "Did not respond in time for
publication" appear under the candidate's name.
QUESTION 1
Do you support public financing of judicial campaigns?
Explain.
QUESTION 2
Do you believe the composition of juries in district and
circuit courts adequately and fairly reflects society at large? Explain.
QUESTION 3
What can be done to provide individuals with wider and
better access to legal help and the legal system?
I received a B.A. from U of M and a J.D. from the University
of Wisconsin Law School. While
practicing law, I have given over 30 presentations or lectures, received state
and national honors, and have a highly regarded medical malpractice career in
Grand Rapids, MI. I also enjoy
participating in community service projects regarding patient advocacy and
human rights. I am happily married
to my husband, Raymond E. Beckering, III and have three children.
1. I believe that public financing of judicial campaigns is
well worth exploring. Candidates
should be selected based upon their legal acumen and ethical integrity, not
their financial or political backing.
Our system is reliant upon fair and impartial jurists, and removing the
financial pressures and potential influences may serve not only to eliminate
the appearance of impropriety, but also foster top tier applicants who might
otherwise not pursue the bench.
2. While the jury system largely represents society at
large, there is definitely room for careful evaluation and improvement in
ensuring that the demographics of the jury pool represent the demographics of
the community. Our current
majority of the Michigan Supreme Court, however, has banned its
unconstitutional affirmative action efforts seeking to accomplish a jury pool
reflective of the community.
3. Non-profit organizations such as the Legal Assistance
Center in Kent County, Michigan are an excellent start at providing individuals
with better access to legal help and guidance. Legal aid organizations also support those who otherwise
could not afford access to the judicial system. The Michigan Bar Association should continue to encourage
lawyers to volunteer their time to pro bono work and/or contribute financially
to legal aid organizations as part of their public duty.
University of Detroit Mercy, BA (1962). University of Detroit Mercy, JD (1966).
Justice, Michigan Supreme Court (1983-present). Chief Justice (1991-1995). Judge, Michigan Court of Appeals (1975-1983). Judge, Lansing District Court
(1973-1975). Partner, Farhat,
Burns & Story, PC (1969-1973).
City Attorney of Lansing (1967-1969). Judicial Law Clerk, Michigan Court of Appeals
(1966-1967). Merchant Marine
(Great Lakes freighters). Justice Cavanagh and his wife, Patricia, are the
parents of three children, and have two grandsons and one granddaughter.
1. Yes. It
would eliminate the most unsavory aspect of a judicial campaign-fundraising.
2. No. More
diversity is needed.
3.Having worked in the past to improve access and to better
inform the public about our courts' responsibilities, I have always insisted
that these efforts include participation by everyone who is involved in the
court system. The Supreme Court's establishment of trial court performance
standards and caseflow management standards help to insure that our courts
provide open, accountable and timely access to all our citizens and that there
is greater public awareness of these efforts.
Supreme Court Justice 1998 - Present. (Chief Justice 2001-2005). Court of Appeals Judge 1992-1998. (Chief Judge 1997-1998). Partner, Plunkett and Cooney 1989-1992. Assistant U.S. Attorney 1979-1989. (Chief Assistant 1986-1989). (Chief of Appeals 1979-1986). Wayne County Assistant Prosecutor 1974.
Law Clerk, Michigan Court of
Appeals, 1972-1974. J.D. cum
laude, University of Detroit. B.A.
magna cum laude, Marygrove College.
Five Honorary Degrees from Michigan Colleges and Universities
1. While this problem is for the Legislature to decide, I do
not support public funding of judicial campaigns because Michigan taxpayers
simply cannot afford even one more tax increase at this time.
2. I believe that Michigan juries are drawn from a fair
cross section of the community as our federal and state constitution
require. Nonetheless, our Supreme
Court and State Court Administrative Office are working diligently to improve
citizens' responses to jury summons and to improve the experience of jurors who
are called to serve.
3. Because of economic problems, various governments have
cut back their funding of legal aid for the economically disadvantaged. Various lawyer groups are attempting to
assist persons left without representation with pro bono services. If our Michigan economy improves, the
programs that were cut should be restored.
Kerry L. Morgan received his law degree from Detroit College
of Law and is an honors graduate of MSU with a B.A. in Political Science and
Criminal Justice. He also earned
an M.A. in Public Policy, magna cum laude, from Regent University. Mr. Morgan is "Of Counsel" to
Pentiuk, Couvreur, & Kobiljak, P.C.
He previously served as an Attorney-Advisor with the United States
Commission on Civil Rights in
Washington D.C. For more
information see http://revivetherepublic.com/
1. No. To compel a man to furnish contributions of money for
the propagation of opinions which he disbelieves and abhors, said Thomas
Jefferson, is sinful and tyrannical.
To compel citizens to fund a judicial candidate also compels them to
support that candidate's speeches and opinions, whether or not a citizen
approves of the candidate's views.
Funding judicial elections with tax dollars deprives a citizen of their
right to freely give to candidates of their choice.
2. The Sixth Amendment guarantees the right to a speedy and
public trial, by an impartial jury.
Michigan's Constitution simply asserts that: The right of trial by jury
shall remain. Neither clause requires statistical parity based on race, gender,
religion or other criteria. Nor do
they require that juries adequately and fairly reflect society at large. The constitutional hallmark of a jury
is not its diversity, but rather that it be composed of impartial persons.
3. Wider and better access to legal help and the legal system
cannot be accomplished unless the state expands the exemptions in MCL
600.916. This law prohibits the
unauthorized practice of law by non-lawyers. This law, however, exempts the assistance of a domestic
violence victim advocate from that prohibition. The legislature should expand the exemption to allow the
practice of law by non-lawyers in district courts in regard to civil infraction
violations of municipal ordinances.
Did not respond in time for publication.
