Confidentiality's role in supporting adolescent health

The Minnesota legislature is pushing a bill, SF 1017, to remove a minors right to obtain medical care. There is an exception for incest, rape and abuse but only when the abuse comes at the hand of a parent or a legal guardian - the victim would be forced to go in front of a judge to prove that abuse occurred. This bill would not only force rape and many incest victims to confront their assailants to obtain permission for an abortion, they would have to obtain their permission for STI testing, pregnancy testing, alcohol/drug counseling, mental health counseling and all other medical care.

In Minnesota, STI's disproportionally affect teens. According to the American Medical Association, parental consent and notification laws prevent teens from seeking health care. Removing the right to privacy will not only prevent teens from accessing health care but will prevent teens from obtaining the counseling medical professionals provide. Counseling that includes teaching teens about safe sex practices and guidance for talking to parents about sex. Confidential access to medical care has been a cornerstone to improving the health of American teens.

Guttmacher

Research from as far back as the late 1970s has highlighted the importance of confidentiality to teens' willingness to seek care. Recent research confirms these original findings. For example, a study appearing in 1999 in the Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA) found that a significant percentage of teenagers had decided not to seek health care that they thought they needed due to confidentiality concerns. With respect to reproductive health care, specifically, a 2002 JAMA study found that almost half of sexually active teens (47%) visiting a family planning clinic would stop using clinic services if their parents were notified that they were seeking birth control, and another 11% reported that they would delay testing or treatment for sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) or HIV; virtually all (99%), however, reported that they would continue having sex.

The American Academy of Pediatrics states that parental consent legislation does not increase family communication, but does increase the risk of harm to the adolescent by delaying access to medical care. Physicians agree that minors should be encouraged to discuss their health with their parents/guardians, but should not be forced in order to obtain care. Parental notification/consent laws have been shown to decrease adolescents’ likelihood of seeking health care and use of contraceptives by almost 50% - thus completing the circle - and increasing the rates of teen pregnancy.

MNCASA provides some linkes to take action.

Education and access to family planning can reduce STI cases in MN

April is sexually transmitted infections (STI) awareness month. During April, programs work to raise awareness about the impact of STIs and the importance of discussing sexual health. In Minnesota, The Department of Health currently funds 31 community programs that provide STI/HIV testing, medically accurate sex education, contraception and support groups. While these programs help prevent the spread of STIs and unplanned pregnancy in Minnesota, the state legislature is aiming to eliminate funding (and block federal funding) for projects that deliver these services - even in the face of increases rates of STIs in Minnesota. The family planning special projets (FPSP) grants were implemented in 1978 under Governor Carlson and Governor Pawlenty increased the funding for this program. This bipartisan program provides grants to mostly rural communities helping them provide family planning and education. These clinics serve patients that are more likely to live below the poverty line and have an even greater need for state and federal aid. Last year alone, these dollars provided family planning methods for 25,109 people, 15,101 of which live below the poverty line.

>How great is the need for family planning services? With the prevalence of abstinence-only education, many sexually active teens and young adults never receive medically accurate sex education. Not knowing how to protect themselves, they are much more likely to have unprotected sex. This has lead to an increase in STIs in Minnesota and the United States. Approximately 1 in 2 Americans will contract an STI at some point in their lifetime with 1 in 4 teens contracting an STI each year. Considering that less than half of adults 18-44 have EVER been tested for an STI (other than HIV), these numbers are staggering. In Minnesota, STI rates increased by 5% in 2010 - chlamydia 6%, syphilis 110% and gonorrhea decreased by 9%. The incidence rate of chlamydia has more than doubled since 1996 and tripled for those 25-39. The incidence of chlamydia infection among minority groups ranges from 2.5 to 15 times the incidence of white Minnesotans. In 2009 alone, there were 370 new HIV cases reported in Minnesota - every day last year, someone found out they were HIV positive. Teen pregnancies already account for a large percentage of births, especially in rural areas and over half of all MFIP (MN welfare program) dollars go to families that begin with a teen parent.

Failing to educate our youth feeds back into these patterns of increased incidence of STIs and more unplanned pregnancies. Undiagnosed and untreated STIs can even lead to lifelong health problems or death. STIs can damage organs (reproductive, heart, joints and brain), increase the risk of infertility and tubal pregnancy, increase the risk of birth defects or stillborns, and increase the risk of transmitting or getting HIV.

STIs are preventable and many are easily treated. While the best prevention method is abstinence, consistant and correct usage of latex condoms is a highly effective method to prevent HIV and STI transmission. Vaccines are also available to prevent hepatitis A, hepatitis B and HPV (the viruses that cause genital warts and cervical cancer). Removing funding for highly efficient public health programs - every dollar spent on family planning services saves taxpayers four dollars in other state medical spending - is short-sighted and ignores 32 years of effective bipartisan public policy. All Minnesotans should have the knowledge and resources to prevent unintended pregnancies. Eliminating state funding and blocking federal funding for family planning in Minnesota will result in more unintended pregnancies, increases in incidence and complications from STIs, and will disproportionately hurt the poor and the youth of Minnesota.

Regular STI testing helps catch infections at early stages. href=" http://sexualhealthmn.org.">Get tested!

Statistics for this post were found at the CDC and MDH
Image from MDH

Cross-posted from Planned Parenthood Advocate: http://www.plannedparenthoodadvocate.org/content/education_and_access_to_family_planning_can_reduce_sti_cases_in_mn

The importance of Title X

Planned Parenthood has served Minnesotans for over 80 years, helping men and women access comprehensive, medically accurate information and basic health care. 64,000 men and women in Minnesota utilize Planned Parenthood's services every year; 54% of those patients are at or below the federal poverty level and 83% of patients are eligible for health care services at little or no cost. Health care services provided by Planned Parenthood are especially critical in rural communities, where people are more likely to live in poverty and have extreme barriers to accessing health care. Only 3% of Planned Parenthood patients can afford the full cost of their care and, for many, Planned Parenthood functions as their primary care provider.


Recently, the House of Representatives voted to strip Planned Parenthood of all federal funding by zeroing out the title X budget. This move was based solely on politics and ignored 40 years of effective public policy. Every dollar spent on family planning services saves taxpayers four dollars in Medicaid spending, this is an excellent return on investment that is matched by few other federal programs. Title X funding, contrary to the speeches give by many on the house floor, does not fund abortion services.  Title X funds cancer screenings, STI/HIV testing, medically accurate sex education and contraception. The majority of title X patients are low-income women who are uninsured but ineligible for medicaid, making title X one of their few options to access health care services.

Title X grants provide Planned Parenthood of Minnesota with approximately 20% of their funding and eliminating this funding will disproportionately hurt rural Minnesota communities. Rural clinics serve fewer patients and those patients have an even greater need for federal aid. The map to the left depicts the percentage of births per county to mothers under 18.  Teen pregnancy already accounts for a large percentage of births in rural communities. Low maternal age negatively impacts infant health. Infants born to mothers under the age of 20 have a mortality rate 1.5 times higher than infants born to older mothers.

All women should have the knowledge and resources to prevent unintended pregnancies. Contraception services at Title X centers (like Planned Parenthood) prevented 973,000 unintended pregnancies. Without Title X this would have resulted in 406,000 more abortions. Removing funding for Planned Parenthood, one of the few sources for medically accurate sex education and contraception, will result in more unintended pregnancies and will disproportionately impact women in rural communities.


Cross posted from Planned Parenthood Advocate

Lobby for comprehensive sexuality education

Those rallying for choice at the MN capitol today are likely finding their voices fall on deaf ears. In the last election, Minnesota moved from having prochoice majorities to a minority, that will even struggle to uphold any gubernatorial vetoes. The saving grace is that we do have a strong prochoice governor who doesn't believe that its the governments job to legislate a woman's uterus.

For today's prochoice lobby day, I wanted to focus on a bill that should have passed every year, but usually doesn't make it out of committee (even when we had prochoice majorities). The comprehensive sexuality education bill provides schools in Minnesota with support and structure to ensure that all Minnesota kids understand their developing bodies, reproduction and decision making. Over 90% of Minnesota parents want schools to teach sex education that includes pregnancy prevention and abstinence. Yet there has been no move to ensure that Minnesota kids receive this education.

A survey of Minnesota teachers shows that new policies are needed to ensure that kids receive this critical information.  Making sex ed a high school graduation requirement, ensuring districts and school boards develop policies for comprehensive sex education and finally passage of the state comprehensive sexuality education bill will help teachers share medically accurate information with their students.

The key is to ensure that our kids receive medically accurate information and the only way to do that is to develop a state standard for sexuality education as a part of health curriculum.  Unfortunately most curriculum decisions are left to the local school districts where many lack the knowledge and support to provide this information. This decentralized approach to education has resulted in the United States having some of the highest rates of sexually transmitted infections and teen pregnancies in industrialized countries. Providing our kids with information and resources will reverse these trends. Comprehensive sexuality education will ensure they have all the information needed to make choices about their bodies and personal lives.

Family Planning in Greater Minnesota

Entrenched in attempts to balance the budget, the MN legislature will likely cut from all funding areas.  Last week, the MN senate passed cuts to child protection services and no one in the GOP was able to say why kids were in the first round for cuts or how this would effect them. Are these cuts viable or will they just cause more problems down the road? No one seems to know. We can bet that family planning services will likely receive the same blind ax by the GOP controlled legislature.

Family planning works and saves taxpayers money. Every dollar spent on family planning services saves Medicaid $4.02. Are there any other programs that have that kind of return on investment?

In greater Minnesota, access to family planning services is exceptionally challenging. 60% of Planned Parenthood patients live in greater Minnesota and 64% of those patients live in poverty. How will the GOP justify eliminating, in many cases, the only health care their constituents see in a year? Many clinics are located in communities that lack access to adequate primary care services. Will the MN GOP continue to fully fund ineffective 'crisis pregnancy centers' (that spread misinformation about birth control) but cut funding for family planning services that give medically accurate information? Reducing funding for family planning services will only increase the health care disparity between rural and urban women and cost Minnesota taxpayers more in the long run.

On the anniversary of Roe: State of abortion access

On the anniversary of Roe, I began to think more and more about the question 'what good is a 'legal' abortion, when you can't access it?'.  Without access, you have no choice. In a report from 2005, 87% of counties in the US have no abortion provider; in Minnesota, 95% of counties lack an abortion provider. This may seem like a win for anti-choice advocates, but what we really have is a culture that is punishing women because of other's religious beliefs. When a women doesn't have access to family planning resources, the number of unintended pregnancies increase. Later term, more risky abortions happen when a woman doesn't have access to an abortion clinic or doesn't have the funds or means to obtain one.

One of the biggest hurdles for abortion rights activists is that people have forgotten what it was like for women prior to Roe. Anti-choice groups have succeeded in removing real stories of real women from the abortion access fight.  Yes, abortion illicits strong feelings in many people, but we often forget that abortion isn't about you. Its about a woman making a choice about her body and her life. Not yours. You have to think about how you would want your daughter or mother or best friend to be treated when they are making this decision for their life.

As a reminder of what abortions were like prior to Roe, I'd like to share a story about a woman who ended up founding several health care centers that offer abortion care.
Abortion care network

My name is Renee Chelian. In 1966, when I was 15 years old, I had an illegal abortion. It was a very brave decision that my parents helped me with. My father took me because my mother was six months pregnant with my younger sister, and he was afraid for her safety as well as mine. We were blind folded and taken to some kind of warehouse. When the blind fold was removed there were many other girls there. No one talked for fear of being turned away. It was dangerous, it was very expensive, my parents could have been jailed, I don’t know who did my abortion – I’m sure not a doctor and I could have died or had serious complications or been left infertile. And we could tell no one out of fear and the stigma associated with a crime that so many other women were also risking their lives for.

I was willing to risk my life for a second chance. I didn’t know then how this experience would change me forever. After the legalization of abortion in 1973, I became passionate about working to ensure that NO woman would ever have to experience another back alley, illegal abortion.

As we learn more about Dr. Kermit Gosnell's practice in Philadelphia, we can see the parallels. Limiting access to abortion and preventing funding for abortion hurts women. You can put all the legal blocks you want, women will still seek out and obtain abortions. And desperate women, who don't know where to turn, may end up dying.

I recently heard a story about a woman named Leila.  She had a young son who had numerous medical problems.  In order to care for him, she dropped out of school but soon lost her job because of the numerous doctor appointments for her son.  Leila soon found out she was pregnant. She knew that she could not have another child. Leila spent weeks getting the money together for an abortion, even selling her belongings on Craigslist.  She felt relieved when she had gotten together the money but then found out at her appointment that the cost was $100 more than she had. She broke down and tried to sell everything that she had in her diaper bag.  Luckily for Leila, the clinic was connected with the National Network of Abortion Funds and they were able to provide Leila with the funds to obtain an abortion.  Not everyone is as fortunate as Leila, NNAF is only able to help 1 in 9 women who call for help. (Leila's full story is here: the National Network of Abortion Funds (NNAF))

Another story about the challenges of accessing an abortion is a little closer to home, coming from Minnesota.

Prochoice Resources

"I was 29 with a 11 year old and a 2 year old, I was in a very bad abusive relationship with a man and I got pregnant, I knew from the start that I couldn't keep the baby, I knew that I would be stuck and have to take the abuse forever, and even worse I knew that my children would have to endure the abuse if I stayed. I had nowhere to go, no money and no one to talk to. I called the Hersey Abortion Assistance Fund number and for the first time in 2 months I felt I could breathe again, the lady that I talked to seemed so caring and understanding. They don't just give you money they help you emotionally and when you go through something like that it means more than all the money in the world. I could never thank them enough. And just so you know I got rid of the boyfriend, and me and my 2 kids have never been better.. Thank you so much" -Denice, age 30

Abortion opponents strategy for targeting public funding are two-fold, first to immediately reduce access and secondly as a broader strategy to recriminalize abortion. The limits on abortion coverage overwhelmingly affect the most vulnerable among us. Anti-choice legislators are even trying to limit access to birth control. We know that prevention works. We need to fund more family planning services, not remove funding.  When you eliminate or limit access to care, you create desperate situations for women.

We often assume that because someone identifies personally as 'pro-life', that they are 'anti-choice' but I would argue that for the majority of Americans this simply isn't true. I think the majority of Americans are pro-life AND pro-choice. I made a choice as a teenager (and now my child is a teenager) but it was my choice to make.  All women should be able to make that choice without restrictions or limits or social stigma. To accomplish this, we need equality in comprehensive family planning access, including equality in funding for our health care programs.


________________________
If you would like to donate to an abortion fund and help women who wouldn't otherwise have a choice, here are some links:

National Network of Abortion Funds
Prochoice Resources (Twin Cities)

Minnesota Judicial Elections 2010 (part 4)

On to 3rd court of the 10th district, 24 candidates are competing for one seat. The incumbent Judge Armstrong filed to run but dropped out of the race. This left anyone who could get 500 signatures an opportunity to run for this open seat. One MAJOR issue with this race is that the Republican Party has endorsed a candidate and ANY form of organization to GOTV will put that person over the top. With that in mind, I've tried to narrow the field. (at the bottom of the post)

These candidates sought GOP endorsement: David Hanson, Robert Steigauf, Tad Jude and Christopher Penwell. They would have trouble with impartiality.


Alphabetically:

Laurette S. Arnold – civil litigator and believe political viewpoints should be a part of judicial elections and would work to increase the public's access to the court system. Her judicial philosophy is 'akin to that of U.S. Supreme Court Justice Scalia'. Ms. Arnold states that she is a Conservative and caucuses with the Republicans. She also attended the Tea Party candidate event.
Woodbury Bulletin

Discussing viewpoints increases voter information; involvement in politics allows candidates (voters) full participation in elections. I disagree with the position that if judges’ political positions/affiliations are known, then the public will perceive them to be partial/biased. The position only leads me to believe that those purporting it would they themselves be biased. I have appeared before judges with opposite political views, and not once, have I assumed/believed that this caused the judge to render unfair/biased rulings. It’s an issue of free speech and free association. What kind of judge would I be if I favored limiting this speech or association?

Helen R. Brosnahan – judicial clerk & prosecutor. She attended the Tea Party candidate event and stood her ground stating that faith shouldn’t be taken into account or effect judges decisions and STRONGLY believes in separation of church and state.

Woodbury Bulletin

There is no place for politics in the judiciary. We have the executive and legislative branches for politics. The judiciary is charged with interpreting the laws and policies of the other two branches for constitutionality. In addition, the judiciary must resolve disputes between the other two branches. It is for these reasons that it is imperative that we maintain judicial independence, and impartiality in the judiciary. Nonpartisan, independent, and fair-minded judges best serve the public.

Jennifer Santoro Bovitz – prosecutor. Believes that the most important issues for judges is 'to treat all persons without bias'.

Woodbury Bulletin

Judicial candidates should not engage in political behavior that leaves the public with a feeling that the candidate is anything but impartial.

Patricia (Zenner) Burchill (no web page?) - private practice. Attended the tea party forum and mentioned that she is a person of faith and doesn’t know how someone would separate that from a job. She believes the most important issues within the judiciary are that a judge maintain impartiality and listen to all parties. She did not answer the questions from the Woodbury Bulletin.

Bridgid E. Dowdal – federal prosecutor and assistant dean at William Mitchell. Believes in 'equal access to justice and fairness'.
Woodbury Bulletin

It is critical that a judge remain fair and independent in order for our judiciary to maintain nonpartisanship and independence. Injecting politics into a judicial race jeopardizes its actual and perceived impartiality and independence. To ensure that there will not be bias or the appearance of bias in my courtroom if I am elected, I have established higher standards for my campaign than what is required by law. I am not seeking or accepting political party endorsement, and I am not taking positions in the campaign on matters of controversy that may come before me as a judge.

Portia Hampton-Flowers – Supervising attorney of the civil litigation division of St. Paul. She is 'committed to serving in a fair and nonpartisan manner and making sure everyone is treated with respect and has equal access to justice.'

Woodbury Bulletin

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.

David L. Hanson – prosecutor & private practice. He sought the endorsement of the GOP. He did not fill out the Star Tribune questionnaire. And was not on the Woodbury Bulletin's list of candidates. He did attend the Tea Party candidate forum. But according to his web page,

You can trust me to apply the law as it is written and respect the Constitution. The Constitutions of the Federal Government and the State of Minnesota are the most important documents in our legal system. A Judge’s job is to follow the rule-of-law and apply the law as written by the Legislature. Minnesotans need a Judge who is willing to respect both Constitutions and make a pledge not to legislate from the bench—I am that candidate.

Mimi Hasselbalch – general practice. She wants to work to bring new technology to streamline the court system.

Woodbury Bulletin

No answer provided. (she did answer other questions)

From her web page

Party affiliation:  Voluntarily signed the Minnesota State Bar Association's Affirmation regarding Responsible Judicial Campaign Conduct, agreeing among other things, not to identify my membership in a political party or my opinions on disputed political issues.

Sheridan Keith Hawley (no web page?)– prosecutor & private practice. At the tea party forum, candidates were asked if faith plays a role in being a judge.  She said that everyone brings faith into job but you must recognize what biases you may have so can be impartial. Her most important issue is to ensure that she runs the courtroom with respect and fairness.

Woodbury Bulletin

Judges are citizens and entitled to be involved in the politics that affect their lives. However, political affiliations should not be part of judicial elections. Judges should not be beholden to anyone or any group. Each decision made by a judge must be based solely on the facts of the case and the law that applies. There is no room on the bench for a judge to decide cases based on the agenda of a political group. Because judges apply but do not make laws, judges who are in debt to a political party undermine the checks and balances system.

Dawn R. Hennessy – Clerk for retiring judge Armstrong in the 10th district 3rd court. She attended the tea party forum. Believes that the most important issue is to 'guarantee every individual be given the same process and same protection receiving equal justice under the law'

Woodbury Bulletin

I don’t believe that judicial candidates should be allowed to discuss their political views or seek backing by political parties, even though the 8th Circuit found it to be protected by the First Amendment. I believe a judge needs to be detached and unbiased on the bench. She should not be beholden to any group or use political views to influence any decision on a case. I do not have, or have never had, any party affiliation and only make a commitment to follow the law and apply it fairly and honestly in every case without a political agenda.

Tad Jude – former county commissioner and legislator. Sought GOP endorsement. When asked if religion should play a roll in the courts he replied saying he carries a picture of Moses.


Woodbury Bulletin

Freedom of speech and association are two of our most fundamental constitutional rights. A citizen shouldn’t forfeit those rights when becoming a judicial candidate. In fact, the freedom to discuss judicial philosophy with voters is an essential part of maintaining free, fair, and open elections by providing voters with the opportunity to actually learn about the candidates running, and thereby allowing them to make the most informed choice. Open and impartial discussion encourages voter interaction and makes the court system stronger by ensuring the best qualified and most vetted candidates are elected to office.

Pete Marker – attorney general’s office and city council member. He believes that a quality district court judge needs to have many qualities, most critically being thoughtful, decisive, respectful, efficient, and trustworthy.

Woodbury Bulletin

One of the most important functions of a district court judge is to do everything that he or she can to build and maintain the public's confidence in the judiciary. This includes not only being impartial in carrying out judicial functions, but also maintaining the public's perception of judicial impartiality. The infusion of partisanship into elections and the involvement of judges in partisan or political activities threatens this principle. District court judges must apply the law without a political or ideological agenda. As a district court judge, I would be cautious to not be involved in anything that would undermine the public's confidence in my ability to be an impartial judge.

Catherine Ann McEnroe – business litigation. She attended the tea party forum. Wants to work to increase the efficiency of the legal process for the persons who appear before the court, and would work to ensure that all persons have equal acess to the courts. She was not included in the Woodbury questionnaire, but in the Star Tribune,

The cornerstone of our judicial system is a fair and impartial judiciary; litigants have the right to have their disputes heard and decided without regard to partisan politics. If elected a judge, it is vital that individuals appearing before me are treated fairly and with dignity.

Catherine (Kate) McPherson –worked in victim witness program as prosecutor. She attended the tea party forum. She believes that as a judge, I will need to ensure that the courts remain true to fundamental justice while operating as efficiently as possible to protect taxpayer resources.

Woodbury Bulletin

I support keeping judicial elections non-partisan and limiting discussions of political issues and involvement in non-judicial politics. When judges weigh in on political issues and are active in political matters, public confidence is eroded. I do not believe increasing judicial involvement in politics will improve the judiciary or the public’s confidence in the judiciary. In fact, I believe the more political the process becomes, the more distrustful the public will become. We ask judges to set aside their personal opinions and beliefs and follow the law. Judges immersing themselves in politics will not demonstrate to the public their ability to do so.

Kelley Malone O'Neill – trial lawyer. 'If elected, I will exemplify this demeanor. I will listen to all parties, I will be fair and impartial, and I will dedicate myself to finding a just result based upon the law in each case.'

Woodbury Bulletin

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.

WM. Christopher Penwell (endorced by GOP) – Trial attorney worked to protect businesses from regulation. Attended the tea party forum. He believes that 'No judge is a blank slate; it is not possible for them to completely shed their values, beliefs and personal experiences when they put on the black robe.'


Woodbury Bulletin

All judicial candidates have political leanings, which do not disappear when they announce their candidacy. Their view, for example, of constitutional limits on government’s power is important information for voters. Recent federal court cases have ruled that my endorsement by the Republican Party is an exercise of my First Amendment right to provide voters with basic information about my values and beliefs. The absence of an endorsement is certainly no proof of a candidate’s impartiality. Voters are entitled to all the information they can get about a candidate so they can decide for themselves who will be fair and impartial.

Mary E. Smits – legal assistance private practice. She attended the tea party forum. She believes it is imperative to treat everyone in the courtroom with dignity and respect.

Woodbury Bulletin

No, it is wrong. Isn't our country polarized enough? To have a judicial candidate declare membership in, become involved with, or actively promote a political party platform, erodes public confidence in an impartial judiciary. Political views should be kept private to preserve the appearance of integrity and fairness of a judicial candidate. My concern is that a candidate who has openly declared a political following and who gains financial or other support will be expected, if elected, to act within certain parameters. The message sent to the judge may not be open but it will be there, even if subliminally.

Richard Stebbins (no web page?) –family/criminal lawyer. Attended the tea party forum. He believes that applying the law fairly and objectively to each case is the duty of a district court judge.

Woodbury Bulletin

I absolutely do not believe judicial elections should contain any aspect of influence or endorsement by political parties. The purpose of a non-partisan seat and the essence of an objective and neutral judiciary DEMANDS that politics be left out of judicial elections. Judges should be selected by merit and experience, not by association with a party platform.

Robert "Bob" Steigauf – private practice. Attended tea party forum and played to their views (antigovernment). He sought the endorsement of the GOP. He believes the most important issue for me is giving all parties a fair trial.


Woodbury Bulletin

This is a First Amendment issue. The question, when rephrased, is, ‘Should a judicial candidate’s First Amendment rights of free speech and assembly be denied or suspended because she is running for office? The intent of the prohibition was to “preserve the independence of a judicial office” and avoid any “public perception” that the candidate’s political views or associations might interfere with his ability to be unbiased. I can’t think of any reason why judicial candidates should be deprived of their First Amendment rights. Judicial candidates were not afforded any “due process” but merely expected to voluntarily surrender their most sacred rights in order to run for office.

Yamy Vang – assistant city attorney for St. Paul. 'As your judge, fairness, respect, and compassion for families and their safety will always guide my decisions. I will tenaciously work to provide justice.'

Woodbury Bulletin

Minnesota Judicial Cannon mandates that judges avoid any impropriety or appearance of impropriety in order to ensure an independent, fair and impartial judiciary. A nonpartisan judiciary is the first step toward maintaining the integrity of our legal system. In our system of justice, the courtroom is often the last place where a citizen's voice is heard. Public trust and confidence in our judicial system requires that our judges remain nonpartisan.

Lindy T Yokanovich – private practice, professor and founder/executive director at cancer legal line. 'I will bring my proven talents of creative problem solving to my work as a judge to effectively and efficiently increase access to justice.'

Woodbury Bulletin

I believe that there are more important things to consider when electing a judge than political views. With shrinking budgets and increasing need for access to our courts, what practical experience does each candidate bring to the table in addition to their legal experience? What objective actions have they taken demonstrating their leadership, independence and dedication to law? Actions speak louder than words. Everyone agrees personal political views should not influence a judge’s decisions, so let’s talk about the actions they have taken during their lives that demonstrate the qualities we all want in a judge: leadership, fairness, respect, effectiveness.

_________________
The rest of this is just the way I would decide on who to vote for...coming from hours of researching these people.
Rule out because of lack of impartiality: Laurette S. Arnold, Tad Jude, David Hanson, Robert Steigauf, and Christopher Penwell

Rule out because of lack of information: Patricia (Zenner) Burchill

Those that didn't COMPLETELY rule out politicizing judicial races.
Sheridan Keith Hawley (no web page?)
Pete Marker

Still in:
Helen R. Brosnahan(did not answer League of Women Voters questionnaire) ~personally, I enjoyed her answers at the tea party forum.
Jennifer Santoro Bovitz
Patricia (Zenner) Burchill (no web page?)
Bridgid E. Dowdal
Portia Hampton-Flowers(did not answer League of Women Voters questionnaire)
Mimi Hasselbalchthough she didn't answer the question when asked.
Dawn R. Hennessy
Catherine Ann McEnroe(did not answer League of Women Voters questionnaire)
Catherine (Kate) McPherson
Kelley Malone O'Neill(did not answer League of Women Voters questionnaire)
Mary E. Smits(did not answer League of Women Voters questionnaire)
Richard Stebbins (no web page)
Yamy Vang(did not answer League of Women Voters questionnaire)
Lindy T Yokanovich

Though if you rule out those that either didn't answer questions (which I see as their job as a candidate) and those without a web page (seriously?)
You come to:
Now, their best points (in my view)
Jennifer Santoro Bovitz ~career prosecutor. Lists thoughts from supporters.
Bridgid E. Dowdal ~ Federal prosecutor. Does list endorsements. *Update: has google ad running for judicial election search
Dawn R. Hennessy ~ Has been working in this court.  The law clerk for retiring Justice Armstrong. Does not list endorsements.
Catherine (Kate) McPherson ~ Worked her way through law school & work in child protection. Does list endorsements.
Lindy T Yokanovich ~ Has done a lot of pro bono work and founded cancer legal line. Does not list endorsements.

At this point, I would say all the candidates would do a good job.
Please comment on this post or send an email if you have further information that should be included. You can follow me on twitter @rachelnygaard for updates.

There are three other posts in this series. Here are the links:

http://www.mnprogressiveproject.com/diary/7286/minnesota-judicial-elections-2010

http://www.mnprogressiveproject.com/diary/7610/minnesota-judicial-elections-2010-part-2

http://www.mnprogressiveproject.com/diary/7609/minnesota-judicial-elections-2010-part-3

Minnesota Judicial Elections 2010 (part 3)

Skipping over the mess of the 10th district court 3, we’ll move on to the 10th district court 27 where John Dehen is challenging Judge Michael Roith. Judge Michael Roith has been on the bench for 26 years and prior to that worked as a public defender. Unfortunately, John Dehen appears to have an anger management problem with two protective orders filed against him. As a prochoice woman, his thought on parental input from his run in 2008 worried me, plus his campaign page sounds very tea party Republican. (this quote was not in the context of minor woman's right to an abortion)

Herald-Journal

Parental input in the lives of their children is essential when the family encounters the services of the court. Judicial intervention into family decisions is to be exercised with caution and only when necessary.

UPDATED: In 2006, Mr. Dehen was reprimanded by the Minnesota Supreme court.
How can a person who cannot follow the laws himself, expect the voters to trust him with enforcing the laws?


In the ninth district court 16, Darrell Carter is challenging Judge Paul Benshoff. Darrell Carter is a volunteer attorney with the Alliance Defense Fund.

Securing citizens religious liberties to worship, speech and expression and the unborn's right to life

 He seems to be running because he REALLY doesn’t like Judge Benshoff. Mr. Carter was endorsed by the GOP, while Judge Benshoff does not believe in mixing politics with the judiciary. Candidate questions in Bemidji Pioneer
Mr. Carter CLEARLY has conflicts of interest that would not allow him to be an impartial judge.

In the ninth district court 17, Incumbent Judge Paul Rasmussen is challenged by former Judge Terrance Holter. In Red Lake they were asked about the perception of inequality in the legal system.

Red Lake Net News

Rasmussen said he believes the system victimizes the poor and that people in
poverty sometimes commit traffic offenses because they can’t afford insurance
and licenses. Laws must be applied fairly, he said.

Holter agreed that socio-economic factors influence the higher percentage of
Indians showing up in court, but added that judges deal with the people who come
before them and have no control over why they are in court.

Judge Holter lost his seat in an odd turn of events that you can read in citypages. Judge Rasmussen writes a weekly newspaper column and makes general comments on cases, I’m not exactly sure how he gets around the code of judicial conduct, but I’m not a lawyer.

Mike Cuzzo and Timothy Costley are running for the open seat in the sixth district court 11. The Duluth News Tribune Endorsed Cuzzo. Finding information about these two candidates was extremely difficult and neither had much in regards to substance on their web pages. Both candidates are attorneys with their own private practice.

The Hillsider

Michael Cuzzo
1. Why are you running?
In my 26 years of as a courtroom attorney, I believe I have gained the broad and extensive experience necessary to effectively serve in the position of District Court Judge. I have demonstrated that ability, as I have been called upon to act as Arbitrator and Mediator, helping parties resolve their disputes. I have always represented people from all walks of life, and have demonstrated my ability to be respectful of all people. I want to use these tools I have gained from this background to serve the people as a judge.

The Hillsider

Timothy Costley
1. Why are you running?
I am running to be the North Shore Judge in the Sixth Judicial District. The seat I am seeking is being vacated by Judge Kenneth Sandvik, who is retiring at the end of this year. Although the election is district wide (St. Louis, Carlton, Lake & Cook counties), this seat serves primarily Lake and Cook counties, with courthouses in Two Harbors and Grand Marais.

I have practiced law in private practice for 15 years. My law practice has involved litigation of almost every type of case that would come before a district court judge. I have handled many complex civil matters involving construction defects, breach of contract, business contract and ownership disputes, real estate disputes, personal injury, product liability, dram shop and insurance coverage disputes. I have handled hundreds of family law cases and am a regularly court-appointed counsel for juvenile cases in Lake and Cook counties.

A judicial candidate needs to have the courtroom experience, knowledge and legal skills to be able to handle the duties of a judge. I have that courtroom experience and those skills and I have the broadest range of experience of any candidate running for this position. I have the knowledge, temperament and common sense to be a fair and impartial judge.

I live and work in my hometown of Two Harbors, where the main chambers for this judicial seat is located. I am connected to and respected in this community. I think it is important that a judge live and work in the community they will preside over, as I do. If elected, I will continue to treat everybody that comes before me with kindness, respect and fairness.

I'm still working on the 24 candidates for the 3rd court of the 10th district. Will post ASAP, I will be relying heavily on the KSTP videos, individual web pages and the Tea Party Patriots Forum. (which has been a very interesting video)

Other posts in this series
1. http://www.mnprogressiveproject.com/diary/7286/minnesota-judicial-elections-2010
2. http://www.mnprogressiveproject.com/diary/7610/minnesota-judicial-elections-2010-part-2
4. http://www.mnprogressiveproject.com/diary/7628/minnesota-judicial-elections-2010-part-4

Minnesota Judicial Elections 2010 (part 2)

In the first district court 8, incumbent Judge Timothy Blakely is challenged by Larry Clark.  Most recently, Judge Blakely was suspended and censured for misconduct involving directing clients to his divorce attorney in exchange for discount on his own divorce. Larry Clark has been endorsed by MN Bar over Judge Blakely.  Mr. Clark has previously worked for the Human Rights Commission and believes strongly in keeping judicial elections nonpartisan.

Hastings Star Gazette

Q: Do you intend to seek endorsement and/or financial contributions from political parties and other special-interest groups? If so, which organizations/individuals have endorsed you?
A: I feel very strongly that the judiciary must remain impartial and nonpartisan. I will not accept endorsements from any political organizations. Political parties have their place, but it is not in the judiciary. Judicial candidates should be elected based on their qualifications and their performance, and they should not be tied to any party platform or agenda. To do otherwise, would threaten the impartiality of our judges and the confidence the electorate has in the judicial system.

The second district court 16 is between Gloria Bogen and Mark Ireland. Both believe judicial case load is one of the most important issues judges face today. Both have numerous endorsements from legislators and local officials, Gloria Bogen was endorsed by the pioneer press. Ms. Bogen is Executive Director/Attorney at legal assistance of Washington County and has been a member of the board of Zoning Appeals for the past 16 years and co-chaired the St. Paul police committee recommending John Harrington for the post in 2004.  Mark Ireland is a former assistant attorney general and current special counsel to Hennepin County prosecuting mortgage fraud. Neither candidate seems to support politicizing the judicial process.
(I believe that the courts benefit with intelligent and competent women on the bench.)

Series of questions asked by e-democracy:
Court resources
Qualifications
Judicial philosophy
Courage in the role of a judge
Thoughts on search warrants

In the second district court 27, Connie S. Iversen is running against incumbent Judge Leary. Judge Leary was appointed and won re-election in 2004. Prior to his appointment, he was a civil litigation attorney with an emphasis on health-care litigation, professional liability and work-place discrimination.  He helped form the Ramsey County Mental Health Court, that works with social services to help provide some stability for chronic offenders who are mentally ill.  Connie Iversen is a public defender in Ramsey County and an adjunct professor. A search of Judge Leary shows that he held a public defender in contempt of court for what looks like being chronically late and ignoring a court order.  Ms. Iversen mentions this case on her web page and quote from a Pioneer Press article (which you have to pay for to read). She quotes that the Pioneer Press author states, “Critics have described Leary as a judge who throws his weight around and sometimes fails to treat fellow professionals with respect.” This is a tiny bit of mud throwing and I could find no substantiation of this claim.  If anyone knows more about this judge, please leave a comment.

Again, the information from E-democracy.org was very helpful and both gave well-reasoned answers.
Courage
Court resources
Thoughts on search warrents
Judicial philosophy
Qualifications

Other posts in this series:
1. http://www.mnprogressiveproject.com/diary/7286/minnesota-judicial-elections-2010
3. http://www.mnprogressiveproject.com/diary/7609/minnesota-judicial-elections-2010-part-3
4.
http://www.mnprogressiveproject.com/diary/7628/minnesota-judicial-elections-2010-part-4