Judicial candidate: Portia Hampton-Flowers

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Portia Hampton-Flowers

Age: 45

Family: Married; two teenage children.

Hometown: Woodbury

Education: University of Iowa College of Law; University of Michigan.

Work experience: I have served as an assistant attorney general for the state of Minnesota, litigation manager for the Minnesota Department of Corrections and assistant city attorney for the city of St. Paul. For the past four years, I have

served as the litigation supervisor for the Civil Litigation Division of the

City Attorney’s Office.

1. What makes you the best candidate to be a judge?

I have 20 years of experience representing individuals and the public interest on the types of issues that district court judges must decide. I have litigated and supervised hundreds of cases involving a variety of issues including civil assaults, battery, constitutional law, employment and labor disputes, excessive force, negligence, property damage, wrongful death and zoning challenges in both state and federal courts. I have the proven analytical skills to distinguish and apply the law fairly. I understand the challenges facing our judicial system as well as the challenges people face when appearing before the courts. I have the temperament and balance to address these challenges in a fair and respectful manner. I have the knowledge, experience and integrity to meet the high standards required of Minnesota’s district court judges.

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

reduced state funding?

Our court system is open to all that need it. This can cause court dockets to become clogged and over burdened. As a district court judge facing reduced state funding, I would focus my efforts on moving cases through the system as efficiently as possible. I would require all parties appearing before the court to adhere closely to the rules of procedure to ensure that cases do not languish. I would not allow the court’s docket or trial calendar to become clogged with cases that lacked merit. I would require parties to utilize motion practice to address those matters that did not require prolonged litigation. I also would require parties to utilize alternative dispute resolution earlier during the course of litigation to help the parties and the court reduce the costs associated with continued litigation.

3. Do you believe judicial candidates should be allowed to discuss political

views and be involved in non-judicial politics?

Judicial candidates are in a unique position when it comes to campaign activities. While the First Amendment guarantees each person the right to freedom of speech and free association, judges and judicial candidates must conduct themselves in such a way as to avoid even the appearance of bias, partiality or predisposition with respect to any issue that could potentially come before the court. Our system of government is based upon having an independent and non-partisan judiciary. Discussions regarding a judicial candidates political views conflict with the non-partisan nature of judicial elections and threaten the foundation of our judicial system. I believe judicial candidates should not engage in any conduct that suggests partiality.