After reading some of the recent letters to the editor in support of John MacKinnon, I’ve realized some people are under the misconception that since he is a D.A., he will extend his prosecuting of cases, if elected, by “making people accountable from the bench.” You could not be further from the truth. The positions are like night and day. D.A.s prosecute cases, period. Judges hear evidence, make rulings and/or decisions, or may sentence or fine individuals, all the while being mandated to follow the law set down by the Legislature—two completely different aspects of the courtroom, and one job does not overlap into the other, nor can it.
I know this because I worked in the Sheriff’s Department for a total of 37 years, and during a large portion of that time I was a bailiff in the courts.
So please, voters, do not believe it when you see a letter or editorial written that infers that a D.A. would be a better judge just because he’s a D.A. That is a fallacy. What makes up a good judge is not only their knowledge of the law, all areas of it, but also their demeanor and temperament—someone who is highly respected within his own work community and is respectful of others. Jed Beebe is all that and much, much more.
Vote for Jed Beebe. He is the only candidate in this election who is truly qualified for that position.
This article appears in Oct 23-30, 2008.