The League of Women Voters debate forums hosted the two running for Christian Circuit Court Judge in Division II Wednesday evening.
Longtime incumbent Judge John Atkins is being challenged for the bench by former Assistant Commonwealth’s Attorney Stephanie Bolen, and both have years of experience in the justice system to bring to the table. Bolen spoke of her plans if elected, including starting a mental health court and she says there needs to be more programs to help people exiting the corrections system stay out of jail and become good members of society.
Judge Atkins believes much could be improved in the local justice system if public defenders and prosecutors got pay raises—he says many young lawyers don’t fill those positions because they can find better else where, and many departments are badly understaffed.
Both candidates agreed that something must be done to lighten the caseload in the justice system, as many cases take far too long to be resolved, whether through agreement or in trial. Judge Atkins says there needs to be better time management and he would like to see how a judge could help things go more smoothly, faster—Bolen says the right to a speedy and fair trial is an essential part of the justice system, and she would work to try and keep proceedings efficient to make it so.
They also discussed fair and equal representation and unbiased judgments for all who appear before them, possible expansion of the current justice center and what programs that would maintain or implement if elected.
You can hear their entire remarks below:
https://www.facebook.com/lwvhopkinsville/videos/470433055120528