Choosing a City Court Judge

Choosing a City Court Judge is important. You are selecting 1/3 of your government for a 10 year period. How do we get to know the candidates? Commercial’s? Numerous colored billboards placed along the highway? Catch phrases? Do they really address the substance and character of the nominee? Perhaps a 23 year observation of the talent, character, experience and abilities could help. I endorse Melissa Stearns. Having first met her as she became a Madison County Assistant District Attorney we were adversaries for 12 years and I truly respected her work. During her 12 years as a prosecutor she rose to the position of First Chief Assistant. She took the strikingly difficult area of practice - prosecuting child sex abuse cases. She has tried over 25 Felony Jury Trials and near countless Misdemeanor Trials. She worked closely with victims, police agencies and the Department of Social Services. She was absolutely thorough and demonstrated balance and fairness - attributes one must have to be an effective judge. For the past 11 years she has served as the Confidential Law Clerk for the Honorable Donald F. Cerio, Jr. drafting hundreds of Civil and Criminal Law Decisions for the Court. Her legal analysis is accurate, fair and outstanding. Judge Cerio’s Court has a steady flow of approximately 300/350 cases at any given time. She is an outstanding Law Clerk. As we have seen in the selection of US Supreme Court and other Judicial appointments there is a heavy reliance on choosing those with prior Judicial Clerkships. Melissa’s legal career has been a calling for public service. Not all experience counts equally; however, the individual and valuable talents Melissa possesses places her uniquely fitted for City Court Judge. Experience, talent, insight and fairness - Melissa is the complete person to serve as your Oneida City Court Judge.

Gerald H. Taylor, Esq.