The following is a presentation of FCB Faith. This is Keeping America First with Bishop John T. Coates and Reverend Jeff Jemison on FCB Faith. Audience, we have another dynamite judge as our guest today with the November 3rd election quickly approaching. In just a matter of days, we have today a Common Pleas Court judge who's been on the bench now for a few years. She's got a ton of experience just doing the dynamite job in Summit County, Ohio. Welcome today, our guest, Judge Tammy O'Brien. How are you, Judge O'Brien? I'm very good. Thank you, Jeff. Thanks for having me. Talk a little bit about your experience and tell folks a little bit about you and what you've done, what you're working on these days. Okay. All right. Very good. So I am Judge Tammy O'Brien. I have been in the General Division in Summit County. For more than 15 years now. The General Division handles all of the felony criminal cases. So the most serious cases from all the way from drug possession, but all the way up to rape and murder, including murders where capital punishment may be an option. And on the civil side, we handle everything that would be worth more than $ 15, 000. And that can be anything from an eviction, a car accident, all the way up to complex business disputes or medical malpractice cases. So really a wide variety of cases that come before me. And again, I've been doing it now for more. Than 15 years. In that time, believe it or not, I've terminated more than 18,000 cases and I've tried more than 150 cases. So we're really busy here at the court and we do. A lot of, we do have a large volume of cases. I also run a reentry court, which is a specialized docket that is certified by the Supreme Court. And that is focused on people that are coming out of incarceration. And we select people certain individuals that might qualify to come out of prison early. And we then work with them very closely on things like substance abuse and housing and employment and education to make sure that they get the resources that they need when they're coming out of prison so that they don't end up back in the system, that they can get and stay on track and become you know, productive taxpayers in our community. Judge O'Brien, I always say this to our listeners and folks that I talk to everywhere. Having good judges is critical. We need good judges everywhere. And you, Judge O'Brien, now I've known you for years and you've just had a great career on the bench. You've been one that's been fair. You've been open to just executing fairness and listening, and you haven't been reprimanded for anything. So we're thankful to have good judges such as you, Judge Tamla O'Brien. You're on the ballot this November. I am. Yes. And what are some things that we should look for? What are some things that you hope to improve on in the courts? Just take a little time and address that if you would speak to that. Well, I think when people are looking at judicial candidates, it's very difficult because. there is not a lot of information out there. And so that's one of the reasons I'm very happy to talk to you today. But I think experience really matters when you're talking about the volume of cases that we have and the experience not only on the bench, but prior to taking the bench. I was an attorney for. Almost 20 years and I handled a wide variety of cases in that regard. But Really on the bench, you really have to navigate often emotional and complicated legal situations. And it's not. Something where, you know, any attorney can just take that up. And there really is a learning curve. And when you. Have judges that have been on the bench for a long time, have done, you know, in my opinion, a really good job, I'm very proud of what I have accomplished on the bench. And I know, you know, how do I know that I'm doing a good job? Well, I think I have a really good reputation. The Akron Bar Association does interview all of the candidates. And I have been given the highest rating that the Akron Bar Association gives. I've been rated excellent. They do a really good job. Of looking at candidates' reputation, their legal ability, their integrity, their temperament, their community service, all those kinds of things that I think are important. And again, I'm really proud of that rating too, because those are the people, it reflects on my reputation with the people that come before me every day, that I work. With every day. So, again, keeping those services through my reentry court is very important to me. Look, we see people from all walks of life who are in all different phases of their journey through life. And certainly there are people, there are crimes that are committed and serious crimes, in my opinion, deserve serious punishment. But not everyone is a career criminal or is doing really. Egregious crimes. There are just people that are in a bad place, that are having some difficulties, and certainly people that suffer from addiction that really do deserve second chances. And we do... You know, we do everything in our power to get people. Back on the right track before, you know, we're not or I am not a judge that just immediately sends lower level, you know, offenders to prison. Right. Judge, you've been doing a great job. And we again, I'm going to say we need good judges. And I'll say this. I've said it time and time again. You know, sometimes people get elected. They haven't served on the bench and they change once they get there. You've been steady. You've been fair. And that's what we need. So, Judge Tammy O'Brien, could you just tell us why? Just make the case to our audience as to why they should go out and you should vote for you again, reelect you to Summit County Court. Court of Common Pleas. Please make that case as we close up. Okay. Thank you. Well, again, when you have a judge with a lot of experience, there's no reason to go back and start over with the learning curve. I have a good reputation. I'm proud of what I have done. My colleagues have given me their highest rating. I've been policed endorsed by many of the FOP lodges around town from Barberton, Norton, Copley Bath, and at least one other. The Supreme Court of Ohio entrusts me to run that reentry court. They also entrust me, I'm one of the 18 people in the state that is in charge of the Ohio State Bar Exam. So I'm one of the people that are in charge of making sure that the folks that are taking the bar exam are qualified to be lawyers. So again, I think that when you look at judges, you need someone who can remain neutral, interpret and enforce the laws and really apply their whole experience to this job day to day. Thank you so much, Judge Tamela O'Brien. With much success to you this November and to our audience. Again, thank you. Thank you, Judge O'Brien. Thank you to our audience for listening. And please share this. Let's keep our voters and friends and citizens informed. God bless you all. Again, thank you. Keep fighting the good fight. And remember to vote November 3rd.
