Judge Robert Richardson

As your circuit judge for the past 10 years, I've made a lot of decisions – and some of them have been very tough. 

In every case, I've followed the law and our Constitution. 

Even though our system of justice is not perfect, I believe it is the best ever devised.

Our judicial system works only if judges make decisions based on the law and on the evidence presented. They cannot take into consideration what they might prefer the law to be, or on hunches, where the evidence is lacking.

Since I took office on July 1, 2014, I have closed 6,747 cases, including a backlog of more than 600 from before I became judge, including:

· 1,673 felonies, misdemeanors, magistrate court appeals of criminal cases, and other criminal matters.

· 397 drug court cases, including all applications for drug court

· 1,378 civil cases, including personal injury, contract disputes, medical malpractice, boundary disputes and civil disputes between citizens. 

· 14 administrative appeals

I have worked diligently to protect children and vulnerable individuals, including:

· 161 adoptions

· 259 juvenile delinquency and juvenile status offenders, including truancy, incorrigibility, runaway cases

· 560 child abuse and neglect cases, including cases where the CPS is ordered to investigate

· 602 cases involving family or personal relationships, including appeals from family court, guardianship, appeals from magistrate court in personal safety order cases, and mental hygiene cases.