Jen Ryan

Question 1

List your judicial experience (courts and years)

 None

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Question 2

What non-judicial legal experience qualifies you to be a judge?

As a civilian attorney, I have both criminal prosecutorial and defense experience that allows me to understand both Federal and State Constitutional rights as well as state laws and criminal rules.  This knowledge means that as judge I will be able to ensure that both victims and criminal defendants' rights are protected and that the laws and rules are followed. 

In my current civilian role as Chief Probation Officer and Deputy Court Administrator for the Marion County Court of Common Pleas, General Division (felony offenses), I run a 14-person Department with a budget in excess of $1.1 million.  I helped save the taxpayers tens of thousands of dollars by locating a new drug testing provider. Then when another court wanted to use this drug testing provider at Marion County Adult Probation Department I ensured that Marion County Adult Probation Department received a credit leading to additional savings.  My current position also has afforded me the opportunity to build community relationships and partnerships. Since I became Chief Probation Officer, 86.73% of the offenders my Department supervises who have taken through my Department Thinking for a Change, which is a cognitive behavioral program aimed at helping change criminal thinking, have graduated from the program and none of these graduates have committed a new criminal offense in the 6, 12, 18 months post graduation.      

As a Judge Advocate for the last 22 plus years, I counseled thousands of Soldiers as they prepared to deploy and redeploy in support of the Global War On Terrorism. I’ve drafted hundreds of wills, health care directives, living wills, and powers of attorney. I’ve prosecuted Soldiers who failed to comply with Army Values and the Uniformed Code of Military Justice and I’ve defended those who defend us.  I’ve twice been selected by a general or flag officer to investigate senior ranking Soldiers and Civilians. And I was selected a Summary Courts-Martial Officer to determine whether a Soldier was guilty or not guilty of offenses under the UCMJ.  Perhaps most importantly, I have seen in fellow Soldiers and personally experienced the feelings of loss and “what ifs” and pain that accompany leaving one’s family and losing family, both that which we’re born into and that which the military makes us.  Being a Veteran of the Global War On Terrorism and a current member of the United States Army Reserve, I am best suited to speak with fellow veterans.  

Not only have these professional experiences prepared me to be judge, but so too have my personal experiences.  A family member, whose birth I came home from college to see who was my mini-me who was herself a crime victim from a young age, prepared me. Later in life, watching this family member struggle with her addiction helped me to realize that there are many reasons individuals commit crimes and if we can understand the reason behind criminal conduct, perhaps we can prevent it and help the individual not reoffend.  Watching this family member battle for 9 years her addiction showed me just how horrific addiction is for both the addict and the addict’s family.  Loving this family member led me to educate myself on addiction.  And it is these experiences and education that I will bring with me as Marion Municipal Court Judge.   

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Question 3

Why are you running for this particular court seat?

I am running for this seat to give the citizens of Marion a choice.  Abraham Lincoln said that “Elections belong to the people.”  Our Founding Fathers believed that the most basic right was the ability of the people to choose our own leaders.  Marion has not had a choice for Marion Municipal Court Judge since 2005.  I have had the privilege of being a lawyer since November 9, 1998.  As A Lawyer's Creed says, I believe being a lawyer is "a calling in the spirit of public service" and I believe that I have a duty "promoting its understanding and appreciation for it by the public."  If elected Judge, I will do that and apply the law fairly and impartially.  

  

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