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Please send your financial contributions and offers of assistance and support to:
John Talbot, Treasurer
P.O. Box 8823, Missoula, MT 59807 Telephone: 880-1998
Paid for by the Campaign to Re-Elect Karen A. Orzech for Justice of the Peace
| As explained on the above link from the American Bar Association, judges are different from other elected officials; their role is to uphold the law, not represent voters. This difference can make it challenging for a voter to make decisions in a judicial election. To help you cast an informed vote, the ABA has suggested considering the qualities shown on the left side of the table below. Karen A. Orzech's qualifications corresponding to each point are shown on the right side of the table. Please make an informed decision on November 7, and urge your friends to do the same - your vote does make a real difference in this election! |
| Campaigns are
conducted consistent with judicial
rules and ethics. |
Judge
Orzech has previously run five successful campaigns for Justice of the
Peace, and has always maintained the highest judicial and ethical
standards. She has never publicly supported or opposed another
political candidate, and she has never accepted any donations from
any Political Action Committees. She serves on the State Supreme
Court Commission on Ethics. |
| Impartiality |
Judge
Orzech is non-partisan and unbiased. She does not come from a
background of law enforcement, defense, or prosecution, and she has
thousands of supporters from all walks of life, and political
preferences. For eight years, she has clearly demonstrated that
the law applies equally to all citizens, regardless of race, political
affiliation, or economic stature. |
| Commitment to the law, rather than
public opinion. |
Judge Orzech is sworn to uphold the Montana Constitution and her decisions and written findings over the past eight years are proof of her commitment to the law. |
| Experience - demonstrated exposure
to legal issues, and substantial & diverse experience with the
justice system. |
Over
the last eight years, Judge Orzech has presided over thousands of
criminal and civil cases, non-jury and jury trials, orders of
protection, and hearings. |
| Integrity - high moral character,
honesty, industry and diligence. |
Judge
Orzech has demonstrated her high standards of moral character as well
as her hard work and diligence. She knows that in order to be
the best Justice of the Peace, it is not possible to simply clock in
from 8 to 5. She does what is necessary to get the job done
(which involves working during lunches, evenings and weekends).
Often, hers is one of the last cars to leave the parking lot at
night. |
| Professional Competence - intellect,
knowledge of the law, writing & analytical ability, judgment, and
courtroom and trial experience. |
Judge
Orzech has the proven ability to quickly read and comprehend extensive
laws or briefs, and make fair and proper decisions based on the
law. She graduated at the top of her PhD class, and was honored
as the "Outstanding Graduate" of her class. She graduated from
the Judicial Institute held at The University of Montana in 1999 (the
last time it was held). She knows the law and
how to apply it judiciously; for that reason, she has been appointed by
the Montana
Magistrates Association as the Training Judge for Western Montana. |
| Judicial Temperament - unbiased,
courteous, open-minded, understanding, fair and committed to the rule
of law. |
Judge
Orzech is fair and treats every person she encounters with courtesy and
respect. She is open to examining new ways to improve the justice
system, and has been involved in new programs such as her Community
Circles alternative sentencing, Alternative Court for mentally
or emotionally challenged defendants, and study of links between
domestic violence and
criminal behavior. |
| Service - demonstrated commitment to
justice for all. |
Judge
Orzech is clearly dedicated to building and protecting the community by
serving the people of Missoula County as Justice of the
Peace. She is committed to building a healthy community through board
membership and active participation in the following: Missoula
Kiwanis Club, DUI Task Force, Missoulians Against Underage Substance
Abuse Prevention Team, Community Circles, pro bono Attorney Program, and
Planet Kids. She proudly serves on the State Supreme Court
Commission
on Technology and has been involved in drafting the privacy rules
for the people of Montana. She believes that the people of
Missoula County deserve the best informed and most capable person as a
judge, and she works hard to provide that level of performance for the
citizens. |
John Talbot, Treasurer P.O. Box 8823, Missoula, MT 59807 Telephone: 880-1998 |