Jim Long

Question 1

List your judicial experience (courts and years)

Judge on the Kettering Municipal Court bench since 2015. I was appointed as Judge in February 2015.  I was elected as Judge by the voters in November 2015. I was re-elected as Judge by the voters in November 2017.  I am running for re-election in November 2023.

Abbreviated Candidate Answers

---

Question 2

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

Ten years of experience in the private practice of law - representing clients in a wide variety of civil cases, criminal cases and administrative law cases.  I have represented clients in State courts and in Federal courts throughout Ohio. 

Additional Five years of experience as an assistant public defender in the Office of the Montgomery County Public Defender.  I represented indigent clients in all State courts in Montgomery County, Ohio.

Additional Fifteen years as Prosecuting Attorney for the City of Kettering, the City of Centerville and for Washington Township, Montgomery County, Ohio.  I worked with law enforcement officers and victims of crime to ensure justice was served.

A total of Thirty years of experience as a Prosecuting Attorney, Assistant Public Defender and as a private practice Attorney, along with Eight years as a Judge, provide me with a broad, balanced perspective on the court system.  I have a deep appreciation of the need for fairness and justice for all those involved in the justice system.

Abbreviated Candidate Answers

---

Question 3

Why are you running for this particular court seat?

I am running for re-election to earn the right from the voters to continue to serve as Judge of the Kettering Municipal Court.  I am running to be able to continue the positive change and improvement in this Court’s service to our community.

My Thirty years of experience as a Prosecuting Attorney, Assistant Public Defender and as a private practice Attorney, along with my Eight years of judicial experience, provide me with a broad and balanced perspective on the  justice system and judicial decision making.

I understand the needs and concerns of the people who appear in the Kettering Municipal Court.  I am familiar with the resources available in our community to help people. 

A large percentage of people appearing before the Court as Defendants are in need of assistance to achieve and maintain sobriety.  Helping people succeed benefits the entire community:  the Defendant, their family and friends and the community at large.

I understand what is required to promote safety in our community through the administration of justice services for the community.  Openness and transparency are hallmarks of my tenure as Judge.

I have a deep appreciation of the need for fairness and justice for all those involved in the justice system.

Abbreviated Candidate Answers