Judicial candidate: Kelley Malone O'Neill

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Kelley Malone O'Neill

Age: 48

Family: Married; Adult daughter and an adult son.

Hometown: Woodbury.

Education: William Mitchell College of Law; University of St. Thomas.

Work experience: Managing attorney in Ramsey County Public Defender's Office; special assistant Ramsey County attorney; Minnesota State Court of Appeals judicial law clerk.

1. What makes you the best candidate?

I know my way around a courtroom. I have practiced law for over 22 years and have handled thousands of cases, hundreds of hearings and over 50 jury trials. I have lived in your judicial district with my family for over 20 years: I know your values. I am active in your community: In addition to countless service projects, I have played the piano/organ at St. Ambrose of Woodbury Catholic Church for over a decade. I am tough, but fair. I have the correct temperament and the right amount of seasoning to be your best choice for judge.

2. How would you as a judge suggest the court system respond to limited or reduced state funding?

As a managing attorney, working with limited funding takes creativity and ambition. Leading others to do more with less resources is challenging but can and must be done. As a judge, I would suggest that all court agencies receive training necessary to maximize the benefits of all of the new technology being implemented statewide, such as the replacement of the court’s outdated case management system to the new Minnesota Court Information System [MNCIS], and participation in (electronic filing) of all criminal, juvenile, and civil cases. I also support expanding the availability of information for pro se litigants through website information.

3. Do you believe judicial candidates should be allowed to discuss political views and be involved in non-judicial politics?

Judicial races should not be political. A judicial position is different from other kinds of public office. Judges are required to follow the law, not their personal political views or a political platform. Judges must listen to both sides in a dispute and must be open-minded. The public must have confidence that the judge in their case will apply the law fairly without regard to political party positions. Five candidates in this race sought endorsement by a political party. Partisan endorsements in judicial races are wrong and should not be the basis for casting a vote.