Karen Falter

(1) List your judicial experience (courts and years)
I have served on the bench as a magistrate for almost 14 years. Approximately 10 years I served as a magistrate in the Hamilton County Court of Common Pleas, Juvenile Division where I presided over case of dependency, abuse and neglect of children. I am currently serving as a magistrate in the Hamilton County Court of Common Pleas, Domestic Relations Division where I have been for 4 years. I preside over cases of divorce, dissolution and domestic violence civil protection orders.

As a magistrate in the Hamilton County Common Pleas Division, Juvenile Court my job entailed cases brought by the Hamilton County Department of Jobs and Family Services (HCJFS) as represented by the Hamilton County Prosecutor’s Office. It was my responsibility to oversee trials while hearing testimony and evidence to determine if children were abused and/or neglected and whether that required removal from the families and whether to place children in foster care or with relatives while parents participated in services and worked toward reunification with their children. At times parents did not commit to services to be reunited with their children or the circumstances were so egregious that it required me to terminate parental rights and make the children available for adoption. These are tough decisions I did not make lightly. Although the subject matter at times was devastatingly sad, it was extremely satisfying to serve in a role helping families and children.

As a magistrate in the Hamilton County Common Pleas Division, Domestic Relations Court I preside over cases of divorce, dissolution, custody, parenting time and domestic violence civil protection orders. Just as a magistrate in Juvenile Court, I hear testimony and evidence, rule on motions, objections and evidence and issue written decisions. Magistrates wear judicial robes, preside over trials and issue written decisions. I have a total of 14 years of experience on the bench deciding cases.

(2) What about your non-judicial legal experience qualifies you to be a judge?
Prior to attending law school and during law school I took every opportunity to expose myself to the legal field. I worked summer internships at law firms in civil and criminal law. After graduating from college I worked at a civil litigation firm and then a patent law firm. While attending law school I worked in the civil litigation department at a large Chicago law firm. I used these experiences to determine what area of law I would pursue as a career.

It was the summer between my second and third year of law school when I was exposed to public service at the Hamilton County Prosecutor’s Office and I knew immediately this was the path for me. After graduating from law school I worked for the Hamilton County Prosecutor’s Office as an assistant prosecutor. In my 10 years as an assistant prosecutor, prosecuting felonies and misdemeanors, I learned how to litigate. Preparing to litigate or “try” a case requires many skills. One needs to be a good listener as victims and witnesses recount their experiences. One needs good case preparation and organizational skills to present the case in the most effective way to a judge or jury. One also needs critical thinking skills applying the facts to the law and knowing how to use the evidence you have, within the bounds of the rules of procedure and rules of evidence, so that you can prove your case.

This experience, having tried numerous cases before magistrates, judges and juries is excellent preparation that I have taken to the bench as a magistrate and will take to the bench as a judge. Judges must also encompass an appropriate judicial temperament. A judge must be fair, impartial, un-biased but also must exhibit respect and dignity for the position and the people who appear in front of the judge.

(3) Why are you running for this particular court seat?
As a career public servant I am running for this seat to take my skills and experience to the Court of Common Pleas, General Division. I am passionate about public service. My litigation experience as an assistant prosecutor and 14 years as a magistrate have prepared me to preside over the most serious cases in our county. It is a responsibility that needs to be taken seriously because judicial decisions affect lives.

Every day I remind myself to be the judicial officer I would want to be in front of if I was on the other side of the bench. Attorneys and Litigants should be treated fairly and respectfully. Those who come before a judge want and need to be heard and judged fairly. A good judicial temperament and demeanor is crucial to this process and I have demonstrated these qualities, skills and experience in all aspects as a magistrate. My running for this seat is not about my ego and it is not about the “title”. I am running for this seat because I want to continue serving the people of Hamilton County with dignity and respect. I want to do the job and I will do it well.