With early voting started this week and the May primary less than a month away, contested candidates were asked to respond to three questions.
Today’s responses are from Republican candidates for Kosciusko Circuit Court judge, Jack Birch and Matthew Buehler. Candidates were asked to limit their responses to about 200 words or less per question.
On Friday and Saturday, there will be responses from candidates for coroner, surveyor and northern district county commissioner.
1. What experience and education do you have that makes you the most qualified candidate to be the next Circuit Court judge?
Buehler: The Kosciusko County Circuit Court carries a heavy burden of our county’s criminal caseload. I am by far the most experienced candidate.
In the Prosecutor’s Office, I have represented the citizens of Kosciusko County in dozens of criminal trials. I have tried cases ranging from theft and drug possession all the way up to drug dealing, rape and murder.
As the prosecutor in charge of the Circuit Court, I served the people of Kosciusko County for several years as an important part of the Drug Court Team and spent many of my days in the Circuit Courtroom and in the judge’s chambers managing court procedure and the administration of justice.
Birch: More than half of the Circuit Court’s caseload consists of civil cases. Our Circuit Court judge needs broad experience in both civil and criminal law cases.
Upon graduation from Indiana University Law School – Bloomington in 1991, I began my legal career in Kosciusko County. Over my 33 years of practice, I have developed a broad practice in both civil and criminal law. I have tried a significant number of both civil and criminal jury trials.
I have been a public defender throughout my career. Over the course of my career, our Circuit Court judges have taken the bench after long careers in which they had developed broad experience in many areas of the law. The Circuit Court bench is not a position where we can afford on-the-job training.
2. What is the biggest challenge facing judges today in Kosciusko County and what do you think needs to be done to deal with that challenge?
Buehler: Drugs drive crime. Good people do unspeakable things while in the torment of addiction. The biggest challenge in our community is the scourge of drug addiction and the criminal behavior it causes.
The Circuit Court oversees our drug treatment court. Its mission is to rehabilitate drug offenders. I work closely with our sheriff and police in their efforts. I am encouraged by our community’s enthusiastic support for those that truly want to improve their lives.
It is essential in confronting these challenges to rid our community of the drug dealers that prey upon those in addiction. It is my mission to punish those that would seek to poison our citizens and offer help to those that sincerely desire to rebuild their lives.
Birch: Efficiency within the court system can be increased through the increased use of technology. As the number of cases increase each year, courts struggle to efficiently move cases, both criminal and civil, to a timely resolution.
While our judges have worked hard to keep cases moving, I think increasing the use of available technology could increase efficiency. As I prepared for my campaign, I met with many stakeholders in our court system about possible technological tools the court might consider to increase efficiency for not only the courts but law enforcement and other users of the justice system.
As has been stated many times, justice delayed is justice denied.
3. What made you first interested in a career in law? What made you interested in running for judge? Was your interest in a career in law and interest in being a judge the same or related to one another?
Buehler: My love of family and community together with my desire to keep both thriving and safe called me to a career in law. For those reasons I chose a career as a prosecutor.
Your Prosecutor’s Office is an integral part of keeping this community safe. In my time there, I have prosecuted hardened criminals, advocated for victims of crimes and worked hand in hand with our brave law enforcement officers. As your judge, I will continue with that same passion.
Our wonderful community deserves to have the best judges, and my unique experience has inspired me to serve as the Circuit Court judge in order to ensure that our community continues to stay safe and thrive.
My family chose this wonderful community when I was a small child. I feel so proud to call Kosciusko County my home. As your judge, I will serve the citizens of this county with the same passion and pride that I have displayed during my entire career helping others.
Birch: My interest in becoming a lawyer started very early. I wrote a paper in high school on my desire to enter the legal profession. I admired several small-town lawyers that I knew growing up. I saw them not only as lawyers but altruistic community leaders. I have tried to model my career after those professionals.
After entering the profession, I have had the pleasure of practicing in front of and learning from some of the best trial court judges to wear the robe in our state.
A number of years ago when I began considering the possibility of seeking a judicial position, I decided that timing would be crucial to that bid. Circuit Court is the only position that I considered because of its broad caseload of both civil and criminal matters which best fit my experience. I wanted to make sure that I was prepared for the awesome responsibility of sitting on the Circuit Court bench.
After 33 of practice, I am the best prepared candidate to serve as Circuit Court judge.