Skaggs, Gaddy, Geigle vie for judgeship for Bentonville Court
Posted on Wednesday, May 14, 2008
URL: http://www.nwanews.com/hl/News/24453/
BENTONVILLE — Three candidates are vying for the Bentonville District Court judgeship.
Current Judge John Skaggs is seeking re-election against Bentonville attorney Lisa Gaddy and Rogers attorney Steve Geigle.
The May 20 contest will be a countywide election for districtjudge candidates.
The Bentonville District Court also encompasses Cave Springs, Pea Ridge and Bella Vista. District courts were formerly known as municipal courts.
District judges hear misdemeanor cases, preliminary felony cases and some civil cases.
Skaggs believes his experience is the main difference between him and his opponents.
However, Geigle and Gaddy believe it’s time for a change for the district court.
“ I like the job, ” said Skaggs, who was first elected to the position in 1986. “ I’ve always liked working with people and solving problems. ”
Skaggs pointed to his experience on the bench as a reason voters should select him.
The position and responsibility are different from being a defense attorney, Skaggs said.
“ I feel I am the right candidate for change and can make a difference, ” Gaddy said. “ I feel, as a judge, I can make a difference. ”
Gaddy, who has served as a special judge in district court, said her experience as a prosecutor and defense attorney would be an asset to her, if she is elected.
Gaddy is concerned about the efficiency of the court and how much time is actually spent in the courtroom. She favors having night-court sessions that will be better for people who work during the day.
Gaddy favors re-establishing a Teen Court as well.
Geigle also wants to have a Teen Court to handle certain cases involving juveniles.
He believes the district court needs to be more efficient to keep people from having to sit through day-long court sessions before their cases are called.
Geigle said a system could be established in which a person who is ticketed could be given the option of different dates to appear in court.
“ We don’t need to make it more difficult or burdensome for people to come to court, ” Geigle said. “ It’s better to inconvenience the court if it makes it easier for people to come to court. ”
Geigle and Gaddy also said they would allow some cases, in certain situations, to be placed under advisement.
Skaggs said the court needs to be more efficient, but he is concerned about making it easier for people.
“ That’s the point of view of defense lawyers who are looking for ways to make it easier for people who are here as defendants, ” Skaggs said.
Skaggs, Gaddy and Geigle each said they respect their opponents personally and professionally, but each believes he or she is the better choice for the judgeship.
Geigle has been both a practicing attorney in Rogers and a resident of Benton County for more than 30 years.
He previously held the position of Rogers Municipal Court judge.
Geigle is a graduate of Wake Forest University, where he obtained a bachelor’s degree, and the University of Arkansas School of Law, where he earned a juris doctorate in 1970.
Geigle and his wife, Judy, have four children.
Gaddy graduated with honors from high school in Springdale. At Washington University in St. Louis, Mo., she took premed courses, but an internship when an attorney convinced her to study law.
She attended law school in Tulsa, Okla. She has worked in the Prosecutor’s Office and the Public Defender’s Office.
She opened her own law firm in Bentonville and later joined the office of attorney Victoria Morris.
Skaggs, a native of Benton County, graduated from Bentonville High School and the University of Arkansas.
He taught at Little Rock’s Central High School and received a law degree from the University of Arkansas at Little Rock School of Law.
He married the former Jerri Lynn Burns, who has worked with him in his law practice for more than 27 years.
The couple have four children.
Skaggs and his wife are members of Fellowship Bible Church.
If necessary, judicial runoffs will take place in November in the general election.