Latoya Maley seeks Hamilton County Common Pleas judgeship

Latoya S. Maley, a magistrate in Hamilton County Juvenile Court, is running for Hamilton County Common Pleas Court Judge in the General Division. She faces Robert A. Goering in the nonpartisan race on the Nov. 3 general election ballot.

Asked why she is seeking the bench, Maley said in our candidate questionnaire that she is running "because I believe that the bench needs to have individuals from the community who understand the realities faced by the people they serve and who will approach each case with fairness, integrity, compassion, and respect for the law."

Candidate information

Education: "As a Cincinnati Public Schools alumnus and graduate of Withrow High School, I have deep roots in the community I seek to serve. I earned my Bachelor's degree in Criminal Justice from Northern Kentucky University and my J.D. from Salmon P. Chase College of Law."

Family: "Proud mother of both little boys and pups."

Previous elected or appointed office: "None. I am a first time candidate running for a Judicial seat in the Hamilton County Court of Common Pleas."

Experience and public service

Maley said in our questionnaire that she has "worked in the Hamilton County Courts for more than 13 years." She described her career path: "I began my legal career as a legal intern with the Hamilton County Clerk of Courts. After becoming licensed to practice law, I served as a trial attorney with the Hamilton County Public Defender's Office, representing members of this community for more than 8½ years in both Municipal Court and the Court of Common Pleas. For nearly four years, I have presided as a Magistrate in Juvenile Court, where I hear cases involving youth and their families."

Asked what sets her apart from other candidates, Maley said: "Prior to serving on the bench as a Magistrate, I spent several years working as a trial attorney for the Public Defender's Office in Hamilton County. In that role, I represented thousands of people in this community and tried hundreds of cases, including jury trials, in both Municipal Court and the Court of Common Pleas."

On the issues

Asked how her juvenile court experience would carry over to felony and civil cases in the General Division, Maley said: "Serving as a Magistrate in Juvenile Court has strengthened my judicial temperament and the importance of making thoughtful, well-reasoned decisions because those decisions can have a lasting impact on the lives of children, families, and the community."

On reducing delays and improving fairness in Common Pleas Court, Maley said: "I believe that I currently operate a very efficient docket, and I would bring those practices to the Hamilton County Courts to reduce delays and improve fairness. Specifically, I would continue to use technology, scheduling orders, and stagger dockets as I do now."

Asked about the best advice she ever received, Maley said: "Treat all people with respect because people will remember how you treated them."