Michael "Mike" E. Carter: Candidate for Wentzville Municipal Judge

Name: Michael "Mike" E. Carter
Age: 41
Family: Wife, Son, Daughter, Three Brothers
Education: Juris Doctorate, Master of Journalism
Occupation: Senior Lecturer Univ. of Missouri, Attorney, General Counsel Major St. Charles Employer
Previous elected offices: Wentzville Judge, Director St. Louis Association of REALTORS Organizations: Missouri Bar, Federal Courts, Missouri Courts, Missouri Association of REALTORS, National Association of REALTORS

 
CANDIDATE QUESTIONS   

1. What is the primary reason you are running for this office?
As Wentzville's judge I will ensure that the court is run very efficiently, but will NEVER treat defendants/victims/business-owners/citizens/police officers as sources of revenue. The court is meant to modify behavior so that WENTZVILLE is SAFE and in doing so make sure punishments fit crimes.

2. What will be your single most important priority if you get elected?
I have met many people at their front doors in Wentzville (and elsewhere).  Many tell me that they appeared before me in court at some time or another and truly appreciated that I respected and heard them out completely.  I will always be impartial and never owe a favor to anyone before me in court -- I have funded my own campaign.  Very few judges can say this -- please think about it. No winks and nods in my court room!

3. What's your favorite thing about Wentzville? 
Wentzville Wild Cats Football.  Oh, and the odd fact that the St. Louis Post-Dispatch (STLtoday.com) and Suburban Journals cover more Wentzville city ongoings than any other St. Charles municipality for some reason -- still trying to figure out why.  

4. What is the biggest problem you see in Wentzville?
Currently, from my perspective, the biggest problem Wentzville faces is a court that focuses on Revenue over Justice.  I did not stand for this during my judgeship. When I am Wentzville's judge I ensure that the court is run very efficiently but NEVER treat defendants/victims/business-owners/citizens/police officers as sources of revenue. The court is meant to modify behavior so that WENTZVILLE is SAFE and in doing so make sure punishments fit crimes.    

5. What is your vision for Wentzville?
Your court should be transparent and accessible (while respecting victim privacy rights).  Defendants, Victims, Business owners, and citizens should NEVER be treated like cattle.  While court is not meant to be a good time, the court must respect all that enter the court room -- attorneys, victims, citizens, defendants, personnel, police officers, etc. Any person that is respectful toward the court will receive that exact same (or more) respect in return.     

6. If an incumbent, why do you think you should retain your seat? If you are challenging an incumbent, what do you think qualifies you for the position more than the incumbent?
I respectfully submit that the biggest issue with the current judge is his focus on Revenue over Justice. I did not allow for this during my judgeship. When I am Wentzville's judge again I will ensure that the court is run very efficiently but will NEVER treat defendants/victims/business-owners/citizens/police officers as sources of revenue. The court is meant to modify behavior so that WENTZVILLE is SAFE and in doing so make sure punishments fit crimes.