Regina Richards

Question 1

List your judicial experience (courts and years)

NA

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Question 2

What non-judicial legal experience qualifies you to be a judge?

Admitted to practice law in Ohio and the United States District Court for the Southern District of Ohio
in 2006, the United States Court of Appeals for the 6th Circuit and the Supreme Court of the United
States (SCOTUS) in 2007.

Sixteen (16) years of civil and criminal litigation experience including domestic, juvenile, and probate experience in Ohio common pleas courts.

Served as lead counsel on felony jury trials. Effectively argued pretrial motions and when necessary, negotiated efficient and ethical plea bargains. Won criminal appeals by applying the proper standards of review used by courts of appeals to reverse trial court errors.

Civil and other common pleas litigation experience includes: Property disputes, breach of contract cases, unjust enrichment, negligent entrustment, personal injury, will contests, juvenile bind-over hearings to adult court, custody, and the equitable division of marital assets including the use of coverture formulas.

Exceeded Continuing Legal Education requirements beyond compliance with the Ohio Supreme Court and earned membership in what was once designated as "Judicial Bar College" more than once during my career.

I am the only candidate with prior military service (Honorable Discharge 2000).

 

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Question 3

Why are you running for this particular court seat?

I feel dutybound to run for the open seat on the Clark County Court of Common Pleas, General Division. My qualifications make me an outstanding candidate for judge.

As judge, I would promote the integrity of our justice system within our community for “everyday people” and be a good steward with our county resources.

To save county jail costs, I would grant recognizance bonds to those accused of nonviolent offenses and condition the bonds on pretrial reporting and/or ankle monitors if necessary.

I am in favor of Intervention in Lieu of Conviction (ILC) for first offenders of 4th and 5th degree nonviolent felonies where mental health and/or addiction factored into the commission of the offenses. Drug Courts are specialty dockets that require certification by the Ohio Supreme Court, which could be a lengthy process. For now, ILC addresses mental health and addiction with resources we already have--and it works! Upon completion, the offender may apply for immediate sealing of his or her record, without a mandatory waiting period.

I am also in favor of joining the Ohio Supreme Court’s Sentencing Data Platform and using the Uniform Sentencing Entry to assist with the collection of sentencing data. This would ensure racial fairness in sentencing, which protects judicial integrity; and reduces the potential for reversible errors on appeal, which protects judicial economy.

Finally, I am in favor of pretrial mediation for unrepresented civil litigants and counsels’ adherence to the amended civil rules for pretrial discovery exchanges to further advance judicial economy.