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Michigan Voters Guide

36th District Court (Non-incumbent) {_getChooseLabel(this.selections.length)}

Choose two candidates. District Court judges serve a six-year term.

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Christopher M. Blount
Richard J. Bowers Jr.
Kahlila Yvette Davis
Kenyetta Stanford Jones

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Biographical Information

List all courts and agencies in which you are currently admitted to practice.

Describe your previous legal experience, listing the names of your previous employers and any areas of the law in which you specialize. What percentage of your practice is civil? Criminal?

How often do you to appear before the court to which you seek election?

Describe your three most recent trials/cases and list the names of the presiding judge and opposing counsel in each.

Describe any pro bono legal services you have provided in the last 5 years.

Have you ever been admonished, reprimanded, suspended or otherwise disciplined by attorney or judicial disciplinary authorities in Michigan or any other jurisdiction? If yes, provide details.

Please list organizations or political action committees that have endorsed your candidacy or asked their members to donate to your campaign.

What factors would you consider in deciding what sentence to hand down in a criminal case?

If you observed a party in your courtroom being poorly represented by counsel, how would you address the situation?

Under what circumstances, if any, would you feel obligated to disclose to opposing counsel that a lawyer appearing before you had donated to your election campaign?

Have you ever been convicted of a felony or misdemeanor? If so, explain.

Have you ever filed for personal bankruptcy? If so, explain.

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Candidate did not provide a response.

City of residence Detroit

Age 42

Military service N/A

Degrees earned Tulane University, B.A. English, Thomas M. Cooley Law School, J.D.

Vehicles owned Cadillac Packard

Race/ethnicity white

Campaign Website http://Bowers4Detroit.com

Facebook http://www.facebook.com/RickBowersfor36thDistrictJudge/

Current occupation Attorney

Other relevant professional experience Administrative Hearing Officer, Detroit's Codification Committee, member

Current or previous elected office none

All Michigan Courts and all Tennessee Courts

I have been licensed in two states for over ten years, Michigan and Tennessee. I have had a variety of legal experience from drafting Detroit City ordinances and researching legal policy in Detroit City government for 3 different City Council members and under 4 mayoral administrations, and I also have had experience in private practice in asbestos litigation, general defense, real estate, contracts, and some criminal. Most currently I have been an administrative hearing officer for 3 years hearing hundreds of show cause hearing involving business licenses and zoning issues, including criminal matters. Approximately 20% of my practice has been criminal.

For the past few years, I have been a full time administrative hearing officer for the City of Detroit and have not made appearances at any court. I have appeared before the 36th District court representing clients in landlord tenant matters, traffic violations, and minor criminal issues.

The 3 most recent would be cases in which I presided as a hearing officer:

1) Strip Club business license revocation show cause hearing: law department attorney vs. David Draper

2) Strip Club Show cause hearing: law department vs. Jonathan Rosenthal

3) Auto Sales show cause hearing for business license revocation: Kristin Lusn

I have assisted Detroit neighborhoods to form block clubs and in some cases to create 501c4 status. I have also assisted low income individuals in a number of legal situations

14th Congressional District Detroit Police Lieutenants and Sergeants Association East Side Slate East Side Community Slate

I would look at the totality of the circumstances in what law was violated to decide a fair sentence. Every case is different. I would look at the sentence parameters set forth by the law, the age of the defendant, any input from the victim, the prior criminal history, and input from all relevant parties.

If it was a civil matter, I would speak with the attorney and ask if he or she is comfortable with the subject matter and ask if there is a problem. If a criminal matter and the poor representation was affecting the represented party, I would bring my concerns to the attention of the attorney and perhaps adjourning the matter pending a determination if different counsel was required.

While campaign contributions are recorded with the financial reports of a campaign, I would disclose such if it become necessary to avoid even an appearance of impropriety.

City of residence DETROIT

Age 40

Military service NONE but my father is an Army Veteran

Degrees earned HS Diploma - Cass Tech Science and Arts curriculum BGS - The University of Michigan at Ann Arbor JD - Wayne State University Law School

Vehicles owned 2012 GMC Terrain

Race/ethnicity Black

Campaign Website http://votedavisforjudge.com

Current occupation Criminal Defense Attorney - solo practitioner

Other relevant professional experience Regularly work as House Counsel at 36th District Court

State of Michigan United States District Court for the Eastern District of Michigan

80% of my practice is criminal whether it is handling felony matters or traffic/misdemeanor matters. 10% is Probate where I represent people in Involuntary Commitment cases as well as serve as Guardian Ad Litem on Guardianship and Conservatorship petitions and also perform Guardianship Reviews. 9% is Juvenile where I represent parents accused of abuse and/or neglect and juveniles accused of delinquent behavior. The final 1% would be spent handling civil matters such as Divorce and Landlord/Tenant matters.

Throughout my legal career, I have always been a True Solo with a practice that primarily consists of representing indigent defendants in criminal matters.

An average of 2-3 days per week.

1. Hon. Bruce Morrow - A mentally ill man charged with 3 felonies. We favorably resolved two of them with misd pleas and when he was set to be released, he was charged with a 3d felony. I am hoping to be able to get that case dismissed due to mental status at time of alleged offense.

2. Hon. Richard Skutt - 19 year old who broke into the home of a friend and stole some video games and consoles. Sentenced under HYTA to 3 years of probation with 90 days in WCJ Jail Plus Prog. His co-D w same charges went to the Thumb.

3. Hon. Michael Hathaway - Man stole ex's mom's card and charged stuff for new gf. Paid restitution and placed into Diversion Program.

Volunteered in 2015 and 2016 with the Delta Sigma Theta Expungement Fair. I am not a Delta, but wanted to help people in the community.

No.

NONE

The crime committed, the age of the defendant, the background of the defendant, ability to and likelihood of paying fines, prior opportunity to pay fines, and prior criminal history.

As a district court judge, most criminal matters before me would be 93 day misdemeanors with an occasional one year misdemeanor. I would not be handling felony sentences.

I would ask the attorney to approach and go in the hallway behind the courtroom and admonish them to do better. If the attorney were House Counsel and they did not improve quickly, I would call the person in charge of House Counsel Assignments and request that a new HC be sent to my courtroom.

If the person were retained, there is not much that I could do as an individual has a right to counsel of their own choosing even if it is bad counsel.

I don't see that that information would be relevant as campaign contributions are public information and many attorneys contribute to judicial campaigns.

No.

Yes. As a true solo, if I am unable to work, I am not making money as I do not have sick pay. Unfortunately, I had a bowel obstruction which required emergency surgery in January 2012. I was out of work for a couple months and was unable to pay bills. Therefore, like many Americans in a similar situation, I filed Chapter 7 bankruptcy in August 2012.