From Grand Rapids Bar Association
The Grand Rapids Bar Association (GRBA) has completed its review process concerning the contested judicial race for the State of Michigan, 63rd District Court on the August Primary ballot.
In the State of Michigan, 63rd District Court race, the voters in the August primary election will select two judges from the slate of six candidates – Brent Boncher, Charles Boekeloo, Andrea Crumback, Jodi Jernigan, Jeffrey O’Hara and Rock Wood. The Bar Association’s evaluation of these candidates was announced Tuesday by the Grand Rapids Bar Association Judicial Qualification Committee Chairperson James S. Brady.
A committee of 15 GRBA members – the Judicial Candidate Review Committee – undertook the task of evaluating each of the candidates who chose to participate in the process.
The Bylaws of the association define the responsibilities of the Committee and the scope of its inquiry – and dictate how the Committee should carry out those delegated responsibilities. As part of its review process, the Committee evaluated each of the candidates’ legal ability, including scholarship, analysis, judgment and clarity of thought and expression; trial experience; integrity; judicial temperament including being open-minded, even-tempered, fair and impartial; health; communication skills; ethical standards and several other relevant factors in pursuing and completing that task. As to each candidate, the Committee (i) submitted an extensive questionnaire seeking relevant information, (ii) reviewed each candidate’s answers; (iii) checked listed references, (iv) conducted interviews, (v) performed background checks, (vi) conducted a personal interview of each of the candidates and, on the basis of all of the information disclosed, (vii) assessed each of the candidate’s overall qualifications for the judicial office they seek.
As defined in the bylaws, there are six potential ratings – (i) exceptionally well qualified, (ii) well qualified, (iii) qualified, (iv) not qualified, (v) no rating for failure to participate in the process and (vi) not qualified for lack of experience.
The candidates have been evaluated as follows:
63rd District Court – Voter to Select Two out of Six
Chuck Boekeloo - Well Qualified
Brent Boncher - Qualified
Andrea Crumback - Well Qualified
Jodi Jernigan - Qualified
Jeffrey O’Hara - Exceptionally Well Qualified
Rock Wood - Well Qualified
The Judicial Review Process does not constitute an endorsement of any candidate by the Grand Rapids Bar Association or its Judicial Candidate Review Committee. Nor is the evaluation a reflection of the abilities of any candidate as an attorney. Rather, it is an overall evaluation of each candidate’s qualifications for the judicial office he or she seeks.
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