With the local elections looming on the horizon, I would like to share my knowledge of Karin McGrath. Karin is seeking to become judge of the Kosciusko County Superior Court III. The retirement of Judge Sutton from Superior Court III allows an opening for a dedicated, caring and knowledgeable individual. Who better than a person who still becomes excited when talking about points of law or how best to serve the public through the legal system?
Karin made a later-in-life decision to become an attorney, spending her earlier years as a wife, mother, teacher, business woman, volunteer and absorbing a multitude of life lessons. With the support of her family, Karin embraced the study of law. With her background and law degree, she has a substantial understanding of the law, families, children and societal needs. Being a female attorney, working in the prosecutor’s office, as well as private practice, Karin brings additional intelligence to the judicial system. She has significant experience in Superior Court III, prosecuting hundreds of criminal cases, as well as the thousands of cases she has handled in the other Kosciusko County Courts. She has tried multiple jury trials, including felony OWIs and OWI Causing Death in Superior Court III. Karin also serves as the attorney for the Town of Silver Lake, handles general civil litigation, serves as a public defender, and has had substantial practice in family law. She is held in high regard by her colleagues in Kosciusko County, as well as surrounding counties.
Some attorneys may become burned out with their commitment to serving the citizens in our community, but Karin looks at each individual, not as just a file folder with a name on it, but at the person represented in a file. She reads the files thoroughly and meets with each person individually. She agrees some people make bad decisions (sometimes really bad decisions) but believes each and every one deserves the best representation under law.
The responsibility of a judge is to assure the law is being followed and is carried out in every case. Karin has the ability, desire, tenacity and dedication to make sure every person in front of her bench have their rights represented. Her current work in the judicial system of Kosciusko County has proven her ability to carry out the duties and responsibilities of a Judge.
It is not the number of years working as an attorney, or an individual’s gender, but their demeanor, life experience and overall exposure to several crucial areas in the judicial system that contribute to their overall competence to serve as a judge in our county. Some of the candidates currently running for this position have had little or no exposure to some of these legal situations; one candidate has never participated in a criminal trial to the bench or to a jury.
We should elect the candidate that best embodies the overall exposure to the court system who will preside on the bench of the Kosciusko County Superior Court III with integrity, compassion and a powerful understanding of the law. And that person is Karin McGrath.
