The Morning Journal (Lorain, OH)
One judge faces Republican challenger for seat
Only one Lorain County Common Pleas Judge is facing a challenger in the Nov. 6 General Election.
Judge John R. Miraldi is facing off against challenger Jenifer Berki Merrill while five other common pleas judges are running unopposed.
The winner of the contest will commence the six-year term Jan. 2, 2019. According to Ohio law, beginning in 2019 common pleas judges will make $147,600 a year.
The Lorain County Board of Elections said 212,875 residents are registered to vote in the election.
Berki Merrill, 39, of
LaGrange, said that, if elected, she will focus on recidivism rates, mental health and the current opioid epidemic.
“Lorain County is experiencing a drug epidemic and the programs currently in place are failing,” she said. “Attacking this crisis inappropriately leads to more crime. If an individual is brought into the criminal justice system and continues to commit new offenses, the system has failed. It has let us down in keeping the community safe even after being put on notice that rehabilitation of the offender is necessary. This is unacceptable. The courts must create solutions to lower the recidivism rate.”
She touts her loyalty and dedication to the community as a reason
to vote for her.
“Voters should feel confident in casting their vote for me because I am loyal and dedicated to the prosperity of Lorain County and I bring a new fresh perspective to the bench,” Berki Merrill said. “As Judge I vow to go above and beyond my judicial duties to create a more unified, safe, and proud community. The same community I have always called home.”
Miraldi, 58, of Elyria, said that, if re-elected, he will continue his work running the first drug treatment court in general division of the Lorain County Common Pleas Court, adjusting mandatory sentencing and improving pretrial services and bond.
“The purpose of the bond is to insure that the defendant shows up at all court proceedings,” Miraldi said. “The problem is that many defendants have no money and cannot post even the smallest of bonds. The cost of jail is paid by our county taxpayers. If a person has a low level felony and a scant criminal history, that person should not be punished just because he/she does not have any money.
“People should not sit in jail while their case is pending just because they are poor and taxpayer money should not be spent on needlessly keeping certain offenders in jail. I fully support pending legislation that is intended to address this issue by reducing bond amounts and increasing pre-trial services.”
Lorain County Common Pleas Judges Raymond J. Ewers, D. Chris Cook and James L. Miraldi are running unopposed in the Nov. 6 contest. Domestic Relations Judges Lisa I. Swenski and Frank Janik are unopposed as well.