Candidate Profile: James Dunn For Forsyth County State Court Judge

CUMMING, GA — Two candidates are running for Forsyth County State Court Judge in the May 24 General Primary Election.

Patch asked candidates to answer questions about their campaigns and will be publishing candidate profiles as the primary draws near.

James Dunn is running for Forsyth County State Court Judge.

<b>Name</b>

James A Dunn

<b>Campaign website</b>

https://Dunn2022.com

<b>City or town of residence</b>

Cumming, GA

<b>Office sought</b>

State Court Judge

<b>Party affiliation</b>

Non-Partisan

<b>Education</b>

JD (law degree) from Mercer University School of Law Class of 2000; Bachelors Degree from the University of Georgia class of 1996

<b>Occupation</b>

Assistant District Attorney - 20 years; Judicial Clerk - 2 years

<b>Family</b>

I am married to a wonderful woman, Heather, and I have 4 children: My oldest son is 20 and attends the University of Georgia, I have a 17 year old daughter that is a junior in high school here in Forsyth who also attends the University of North Georgia through dual enrollment, I have a 7 year old daughter in 1st grade in a dual language program in Forsyth and a 4 year old son who is in pre-k and will be in kindergarten next year and also be in the dual language program next year. We also have a German Shepherd / Husky mix that we adopted, an adopted cat and several beta fish.

<b>Does anyone in your family work in politics or government?</b>

My wife works for Forsyth County

<b>Age</b>

48

<b>Previous public office, appointive or elective</b>

No, I have never run for a political office. I have, however, been a government employee for the last 22 years.

<b>Why are you seeking this office?</b>

Forsyth County needs an experienced trial lawyer as the next state court judge; I have been an active trial lawyer here in Forsyth for the last 20 years. I have lived in Forsyth for 20 years and have served as an assistant district attorney for the entire time. In State Court, cases move quickly and as the population doubles over the next 15 years, an experienced trial attorney is crucial to keeping cases moving and making sure no one experiences extensive delays in resolving their cases.

<b>Please complete this statement: The single most pressing issue facing my constituents is ___, and this is what I intend to do about it.</b>

Access to the courts and the ability to be heard and have your day in court. I intend to incorporate a greater use of mediation and other pre-trial programs to help keep cases moving and to tackle the Covid backlog. Everyone deserves to be able to plead their case before a court sooner rather than later.

<b>What are the major differences between you and the other candidates seeking this post?</b>

Experience. I am the only candidate in this race that has extensive trial experience. I am the only candidate who has prosecuted serious violent felonies and misdemeanors. I am the only candidate with extensive appellate experience in the Georgia Court of Appeals and Georgia Supreme Court. I am the only candidate who has been an active voter and volunteer here in Forsyth county for 20 years. I am the only candidate who has made the choice to serve the community where I live, work and raise my family for two decades.

<b>If you are challenging an incumbent, in what way has the current officeholder failed the community?</b>

N/A

<b>What other issues do you intend to address during your campaign?</b>

As the population continues to grow and change, I hope to start a Veterans Court here in Forsyth. I’ve had this as a dream and plan for several years now - long before I decided to run for office and long before my opponent. I have a family member who is a career military veteran who suffers from PTSD and other mental health disorders after serving over 20 years in the US Army. He is slated to graduate from an accountability court, in another jurisdiction, and has done an amazing job in the program. We need a court that is specific to the unique challenges that face the people who sacrificed and gave all for our country. I also plan to continue the efforts of the judge who is retiring in utilizing technology and being flexible with my calendars to make sure that litigants, victims and defendants are able to close their case in a timely manner. Justice delayed is Justice Denied.

<b>What accomplishments in your past would you cite as evidence you can handle this job?</b>

I am the only candidate who has worked for the judicial branch of the government. As a law clerk for a superior court judge, I drafted orders and opinions on a wide variety of civil and criminal cases. I learned from that experience to never look at a case as “a case” but rather to really see the people involved in each case. Each case is different and unique and any decision I make on the bench could and most likely will have everlasting effects in their life. As an assistant district attorney here in Forsyth, I have litigated thousands of cases including murder, armed robbery, child molestation, drug trafficking, vehicular homicide, numerous misdemeanors and many others. I’ve been a trial lawyer for 20 years and spend the majority of my time in a courtroom. I am the only candidate with the experience of running and knowing how to run a courtroom.

<b>What is the best advice anyone ever gave you?</b>

“A good listener is a good speaker”. When you actually listen and don’t just respond, you can have actual conversation. You can stop, ask questions and have a real connection that leads to comprehension and understanding. Too many people talk without listening. I am committed to being an open and active listener.

<b>Is there anything else you would like voters to know about yourself and your positions?</b>

Family is everything to me. I love spending time with my wonderful wife and children. I enjoy playing guitar and helping my daughters learn guitar and piano. Our family loves the outdoors - we love to camp, hike, swim and fish. We spend as much time as possible together and outside! Professionally, I enjoy serving this community as an assistant district attorney and advising our law enforcement and being there for them 24/7. They all have my cell phone number - and I answer it, at all hours. I am a proud member of my church, an active volunteer in our community and an avid supporter of our local service agencies! I love this community and that is why I’ve worked, lived and raised my family here for 20 years.