Candidate Details
- Residence
Copley - Email
cpulliam23@gmail.com - Website
cletuspulliam.com - Social Media
facebook.com/cletus.pulliam - Age
52 - Occupation
Magistrate in Summit County Court of Common Pleas, General Division - Education
The Univeristy of Akron School of Law, Juris Doctor 2013; Youngstown State University, Bachelor of Arts in Political Science 2008
- Work Experience
United States Marine Corps, Desert Storm/Desert Shield Veteran 1989-1993; Judicial Attorney for Judge Susan Baker Ross in Summit County Common Pleas Court, General Division 2019-present, Assistant County Prosecutor, Criminal Division in Summit County Prosecutor's Office 2017-2019; Assistant County Prosecutor, Criminal Division in Cuyahoga County Prosecutor's Office 2014-2017; Judicial Attorney/Law Clerk for Judge Annalisa Williams in Akron Municipal Court 2012-2014
- Family
Married with 4 children - Affiliations
Member of the Akron Bar Associaiton, Member of the Ohio State Bar Association, Member of the Akron-Canton Barristers, Current Officer position of Adjunct and former Junior Vice Commandant in the Marine Corp League's Chesty Puller Detachment, Member of the Ohio Association of Magistrates, former basketbal Coach for the Gameday league organized by Grace Church, former football Coach for Upward Bound organzed by Summit Christian Church, former Safety Team member for Grace Church, former volunteer for the Legal Aid Society of Cleveland, former Editorial Board Member of the Akron Law Review
- Endorsements
A continuing list of labor endorsements that includes the Communication Worker's of America Local 4302, AFSCME Ohio Council 8
A continuing list of current and former state and local officeholders that includes State Representative Tavia Galonski District 33, Barberton Councilman Shorter Griffin, Barberton Councilwoman Carol Frey and former Green Councilman Matt Shaughnessy
- Bar Association Ratings
Akron Bar Association, 2023 rated "Good"
Cletus M Pulliam
Question 1
List your judicial experience (courts and years)
Magistrate in Summit County Common Pleas Court, General Division 2020-present
Judicial Atttorney/Law Clerk in Akron Municipal Court for Judge Annalisa Williams 2012-2014
Abbreviated Candidate AnswersMagistrate in Summit County Common Pleas Court, General Division 2020-present
Judicial Atttorney/Law Clerk in Akron Municipal Court for Judge Annalisa Williams 2011-2013
Question 2
What non-judicial legal experience qualifies you to be a judge?
I began my legal journey as a judicial attorney in Akron Municipal Court. I have experience researching and managing misdemeanor, traffic, and civil cases. I gained criminal and trial experience when I was an Assistant Prosecutor in Summit County and also Cuyahoga County. I have tried over 80 jury and bench trials during my career as a prosecutor. During that time, I litigated at least 1,600 felony cases. As a judicial attorney, I have confidently and effectively managed a civil case docket of around 210 civil cases. As a Magistrate, I manage my own docket of cases. I also preside over various hearings including trials.
Abbreviated Candidate AnswersI began my legal journey as a judicial attorney in Akron Municipal Court. I have experience researching and managing misdemeanor, traffic, and civil cases. I gained criminal and trial legal experience when I was an Assistant Prosecutor in Summit County and Cuyahoga County. I have tried over 80 jury and bench trials during my career as a prosecutor. During that time, I litigated at least 1,600 criminal cases. As a judicial attorney, I have confidently and effectively managed a civil case docket of around 210 civil cases. As a Magistrate, I manage my own docket of cases. I also preside over various hearings including trials.
Question 3
Why are you running for this particular court seat?
My lifetime of service and hard work has prepared me for this moment. I honorably served my country as a United States Marine in Operation Desert Storm. As a former prosecutor, I held criminals accountable for their actions and dismissed charges against wrongly accused individuals. As a Magistrate, I fairly and equally apply the law to everyone from everyday people like you and me to small and large businesses. As a youth sports coach and officer in the Marine Corps League, I appreciated the opportunity to volunteer my time for my community. I believe that strong leadership and a fresh perspective is needed to help make our neighborhoods safer, and we need hard work to make sure that justice delayed is not justice denied.
With crime on the rise in our community, I believe that it is more important than ever to have a judge who is dedicated to reducing crime and ensuring the safety of our residents. As your Judge, I will bring a fresh perspective to the bench. I will work tirelessly to create a safer community by using evidence-based practices and innovative solutions to reduce crime. I am committed to using my judicial authority to hold offenders accountable for their actions, while also working to provide them with the support and resources they need to turn their lives around. The second issue is transparency. I intend to implement an online database with demographic information. In criminal cases, this will help ensure fairness in sentencing, and As Judge, I will ensure cases do not linger needlessly while also using my experience to guide me when extra time is needed to ensure justice.
Abbreviated Candidate AnswersMy lifetime of service has prepared me for this moment. I honorably served my country as a United States Marine in Operation Desert Storm. As a former prosecutor, I held criminals accountable for their actions and dismissed charges against wrongly accused individuals. As a Magistrate, I fairly and equally apply the law to everyone from everyday people like you and me to small and large businesses. As a youth sports coach and officer in the Marine Corps League, I appreciated the opportunity to volunteer my time for my community. I believe that strong leadership and a fresh perspective is needed to help make our neighborhoods safer, and we need hard work to make sure that justice delayed is not justice denied.
With crime on the rise in our community, I believe that it is more important than ever to have a judge who is dedicated to reducing crime and ensuring the safety of our residents. As your Judge, I will bring a fresh perspective to the bench. I will work tirelessly to create a safer community by using evidence-based practices and innovative solutions to reduce crime. I am committed to using my judicial authority to hold offenders accountable for their actions, while also working to provide them with the support and resources they need to turn their lives around. The second issue is transparency. I intend to implement an online database with demographic information. In criminal cases, this will help ensure fairness in sentencing.