I’m running for Associate Circuit Judge because I believe everyone deserves a fair shot, both in life and in court. Our courts should be more than places of punishment; they should be places of fairness, accountability, and assistance. After years of representing adults, parents, and children in the Criminal, Civil, Family, Probate, Traffic, and Juvenile Divisions of Boone County’s Court, I’ve seen firsthand how the right guidance and the right judgment can change the trajectory of a life. That experience has taught me that justice isn’t only about choices or rulings made in the moment, it’s about making decisions that can shape futures. Not just the future of the individual standing in front of the judge, but the future of our entire community. If Boone County’s people are successful, then Boone County thrives.

Opportunity should not depend on zip code, background, or bank account. My legal career has taught me that the justice system can either open doors for people or close them. I choose to open them. Whether someone is facing their first mistake or seeking protection under the law, I will ensure they are heard, treated with fairness, and given a chance. Justice shouldn’t just be available for those who are privileged, it should create pathways for everyone to do better, be better, and move forward.

As judge, I will always remember that every case is more than just a file; it’s an opportunity for a person, a family, and a community. Our courts don’t necessarily need to be punitive to be effective. Our courts can be places where people and families turn things around, where accountability goes hand-in-hand with the chance to rebuild, and where the community stands at the ready to help in that effort. Our courthouse can and should be a place where the law serves as both a safeguard for all of us and a second chance for litigants. Justice, when done right, not only changes outcomes, it can also change lives.