Judicial candidates for the 19th District court – Photo by The AANews

DEARBORN — In the midst of a shifting political culture around Arab Americans that has placed Dearborn on the national stage, residents have an increased personal stake in both the portrait and legislative affairs of their city.

Dearbornites will help set the city’s course as they head to the polls on August 2.

A race is underway to replace Judge William Hultgren in the 19th Court District. In the courtroom, this judge will be one of three who will determine whether a defendant will go free or serve time in jail.

In a panel hosted by the League of Women Voters of Dearborn and Dearborn Heights at the Dearborn Administrative Center on Tuesday, three candidates running to fill a six-year term as judge on the 19th District Court presented their ideological positions and illustrated their approaches toward upholding the law. 

The three candidates on the panel were Susan Dabaja, Gene Hunt and Abbie Bazzi.

Dabaja, Dearborn’s current City Council president, said she has represented the city’s families in the courtroom for 12 years. Dabaja said she is running for judge to combine her experience in public service and knowledge of legal matters gained as an attorney.

“I have […] learned about the issues and concerns that face our residents,” she said. “I understand the landscape and I am part of the fabric of Dearborn.”

Hunt, a Marine veteran and practicing lawyer based in Dearborn for 31 years, said he has handled more than 10,000 cases in the 19th District Court. He said that’s more cases than any attorney in the history of that court.

He said he is running because of his extensive insight into the law and familiarity with the issues concerning clients he has represented from various communities.

Hunt added he has practiced law in many districts, but Dearborn’s court remains his favorite.

Bazzi, a lawyer for more than 24 years, said she has handled more than 12,000 cases, managed attorneys for 17 years and oversaw more than 42,000 cases as a supervising attorney at the UAW Ford Plant.

She said her experience in a wide variety of legal matters, especially in civil, breach of contract and criminal cases, has prepared her to take on a judge’s responsibility of being able to hear almost any type of case. 

Community and law enforcement

In district courts, a judge is expected to be a neutral party who upholds the law, enforced by police departments and abided by residents. The panelists explained their prospective roles in mediating the relationship between law enforcement and the community.

Dabaja said in her position as City Council president, she already acts as a mediator and has learned to acknowledge there are two sides to any issue. 

“There has to be a balance between where justice would prevail and that would address not only the issues that law enforcement has to face, but also of the community at large,” she said.

Hunt challenged the premise of a judge interfering in affairs between police and residents. He said the only mediation he would perform is thoroughly examining facts brought forth by police, while protecting the Constitutional rights of individuals who come before him, including ensuring their right to an attorney and to cross examine witnesses. 

“There would be no mediation in that setting between the police department and the defendant,” Hunt said.

Bazzi stressed the importance that a judge knows their responsibilities of protecting due process rights.

“It’s important proceedings are held in a fair way,” she said. “So that all litigants can be heard and that the procedure flows smoothly for all of the parties that go to court.”

Judicial independence

The candidates were asked about any professional or personal relationship they might have with the court staff and other two judges with whom they’d be serving.

Dabaja said she knows many of the staff and the judges professionally, as she frequently visits the courthouse, but acknowledged a personal relationship with some.

However, she said her association with any individual would not affect her decisions should litigants come before her. Dabaja added that as council president, she deals with individuals she was familiar with long before she obtained the title. That has given her an added perspective, although she said she ensures a level of professionalism, fairness and neutrality. 

“I think that you learn from the relationships that you build and from the experiences that you have, but the bottom line is due process for every person,” Dabaja said.

Bazzi said none of her relatives work in the courthouse and that she maintains a professional relationship with many of the staff and sitting judges. 

Hunt said he knows many of the court’s staff and has constant contact with the judges, but that he is not influenced by them and often disagrees with them on issues.

“This is the place where nothing matters except that everyone gets a fair shot,” Hunt said. “Everyone gets treated with respect and it doesn’t matter who you know, what you know –rich, poor, religion – none of that matters.”

A defendant’s fate

District judges could wield far-reaching powers. 

The panelists were asked if they would consider a time limit for the permanent misdemeanor record of a hypothetical young adult arrested for drunk driving. Such a record is commonly an impediment to being hired, as a job seeker’s record is frequently the first question on most work applications. It is noteworthy, however, that any changes to the law rests with state legislators.

Dabaja said while she would consider a misdemeanor limit, she considers drunk driving as a serious matter that often involves the death of others. She acknowledged that individuals become more responsible with age, but that the decision would rest on the gravity of the situation to “determine whether or not it’s something worth expunging or something we need to send a message about.”

Hunt replied with a resounding “yes” to considering a limit of 10 years. He said that individuals can commit much graver crimes— like a felonious assault and auto theft— and that records for those crimes could be expunged after five years. He said the fact that any of the traffic code offenses cannot be removed from the record is unfair.

“It is one of the few crimes where someone who is a good person ends up being a criminal,” Hunt added. 

Bazzi said she thinks a limit would be a good idea; an offender could submit a request to have their situation investigated as to whether the misdemeanor should be taken off their record. She suggested the request should be reviewed on a case by case, not a blanket basis.

Equality and community

The candidates relayed their possible roles in promoting equality and any distinctive involvement in the community.

Dabaja said she has witnessed multiple unfortunate occurrences in the courtroom where clients of inexperienced attorneys are unfairly punished. She commended judges who draw questions that provide opportunities for both parties to equally and fairly argue their cases.

She emphasized the significance of engaging with Dearbornites outside the court.

Dabaja added many Dearbornites maintain a certain code of values that makes the city unique. She said she cherishes the times spend with her campaign volunteers, and encouraged maintaining community ties, even as a judge.

Hunt compared the Constitutional amendments, which he holds dear to ensure everyone gets a “fair share”, to his children. He said the standard is that the prosecutor proves a case beyond a reasonable doubt.

“We as a society have decided that we would rather see someone as guilty get off, than someone who is innocent in prison,” Hunt said.

If she sat on the bench, Bazzi said she would treat everyone before her equally, regardless of who they are and why they are there.

She said she grew up in Dearborn, is regularly involved her city’s functions and is passionate about giving back wherever she can. She said she has a passion to fund cancer research and help underserved and uninsured residents.