In a letter published on April 26, writer Amanda Ross asserts that Terri Kohlrieser, should she be elected Common Pleas judge, would have a conflict of interest because of her decade of experience as chief assistant to the Allen County prosecutor.
This should not be a concern. Many judges, both currently serving and retired, have gained invaluable experience as a prosecutor. They include Judges Jeffrey Reed, Richard Warren, Matt Staley, Rickard Workman and Stephen Shaw. In their courtrooms, justice is dispatched in an impartial and fair manner. Only when a case came before them which had been active in the prosecutor’s office when they served there, were they required to recuse themselves. A prosecutor becoming a judge is not at all uncommon.
Indeed, having to handle a case from the original criminal charge through grand jury, pretrial, and final adjudication gives a lawyer a thorough and complete understanding of the justice system. This is a distinct advantage.
Allen County voters should have no qualms about voting for Terri Kohlrieser; she will be a terrific judge.
Betty Bowers, Lima
