Carter County Justice of the Peace candidates speak on qualifications, priorities

Locals Kamely Harkins and incumbent Kathleen "Kathy" Rosencranz are the two candidates running for Carter County Justice of the Peace in the 2022 General Election on November 8. Each recently provided answers to a short questionnaire to help voters better understand their qualifications and priorities should they be elected.

Carter County absentee ballots have already been mailed. Polls will be open on Nov. 8 for Election Day. Below are answers provided by the candidates. To ensure fairness, the answers have not been edited by the Eagle and appear in alphabetical order according to each candidate's last name.

Name: Kamely Elisangely Harkins

Age: 35

Current Occupation: Clerk of Justice Court/Carter Charter Dispatch & Rural Mail Contractor

Civic Involvement: I love being involved in my home town and in this county; I volunteer myself during Days of '85, sporting events and other community activities such as the tree lighting ceremony where my involvement can in no way become controversial.

Family: My immediate family are my parents, a sister and a brother, one niece and three nephews, who all live a long way from here, but we visit all the time. As many of you know, I am a great grandchild of Odis and Helen Harkins, so I have a huge extended family in the U.S. as well as in Brazil. Shay Beyer is my longtime partner and his entire family is mine too. Although I have no children, I love everyone else's as if they were my own.

Education: I have completed high school and the "School of Hard Knocks" (the best educator of all), specifically related to this position, I have attended bi- annual training session for clerks and if elected will become certified by testing immediately after election, followed by mandatory bi-annual training sessions. Each term requires certification testing.

Can you briefly explain in your own words what the Justice of the Peace primarily does?

The Justice of the Peace is commonly called the "The People's Court" as it is where the majority of people come in contact with the court system. It has limited jurisdiction including; civil actions, a small claims division, misdemeanors from all law enforcement and traffic offenses. It can also perform initial appearance of felonies. It can issue search warrants, orders of protection and officiate at weddings.

Why are you seeking election to this office?

I love public service and realize after working in this office how much I am interested in its function and its place in our local government.

What are your qualifications for the position of Justice of the Peace?

I have been appointed by the Supreme Court as a substitute judge and in Judge Rosencranz's absence have solely dealt with the handling of cases and defendants. Again, having clerked in the office for 3 years I understand the full process of a civil or criminal action from filing to the end. I prepare many of the current orders and notices as well as the financial aspects of each case and the office in general.

What do you see as the biggest issue/challenge facing this office?

I see several issues or challenges that to me are equally big. First being overstaffed for the present workload, secondly, being readily accessible and finally making a difference in young offenders.

If elected, how do you plan to address this?

My intention is to cut the office staff to one. I believe by being very diligent in maintaining neutrality, for example, not talking with litigants or officers about the facts of the case, the job can be handled by one person. I will be available at any time I am in the county which will be basically anytime I'm not on vacation. I believe I can be a positive influence on young offenders that come before me.

What makes you stand out as a candidate as opposed to your opponent?

Honestly, it is my age and my ambition. I am young but not a kid either, so I lend longevity to the position. I learn easily and am eager to take on issues. I have extensive knowledge of technology, like it or not it's where we are in society.

Is there anything else you'd like to comment on regarding the position?

I would just like to say in these last 3 years I have learned so much and appreciate the need for integrity. Issues should not be made public from within the office, yet I understand the public's right to come to the office and research anything that is not confidential. I love Carter County and want to see the people have trust in their local officials, that is my goal.

Name: Kathleen "Kathy" Rosencranz

Age: Mature Adult. I do not believe that age has any bearing in regards to the position of Justice Of The Peace except that with age comes experience and knowledge.

Current Occupation: Carter County Justice of The Peace / Ekalaka City Court Judge

Civic Involvement: As a Justice / Judge, I am under the Montana Code of Judicial Ethics. These are the rules that any judge, attorney or court staff must follow. This includes limiting your involvement in civic functions to allow the Court to remain unbiased. In a small community where you would invite any resident into your home, you have to make sacrifices. It is not always that you did anything wrong, it is the look of impropriety. I take these judicial ethics very seriously.

Family: I am married to Steve Rosencranz, who was born and raised in Carter County. I have two daughters that both live in South Dakota.

Education: I graduated from high school in Newell, South Dakota. I have many years of life experience, eight years as a Legal Assistant as well as six years as Justice of The Peace / Ekalaka City Court Judge. Justice and City Court Judges are not required to be attorneys.

Can you briefly explain in your own words what the Justice of the Peace primarily does?

Justice Court adjudicates misdemeanor violations filed with the Court from citations issued by law enforcement or by complaint of the County Attorney. They handle lawsuits up to $15,000.00, small claims up to $7,000.00, landlord/tenant issues, some juvenile issues, felony initials (to advise the defendant of their rights) and preliminary hearings to determine if there is probable cause for the charge. The Justice Court was set up to be the peoples court and is by in large the first experience of the court system for a defendant. It provides for fair and impartial hearings and trials and protect the public from criminal behavior. A persons respect for the court system will be influenced by this very first hearing in the matter before the court. Justice Court caseload is 4.45 times the caseload of District Court here in Carter County.

Why are you seeking election to this office?

I am seeking election to the Carter County Justice of The Peace because I believe in a fair and unbiased, ethical and confidential court system. I have held the office for over six years and look forward to continuing for this next term.

What are your qualifications for the position of Justice of the Peace?

I have over six years as Justice of the Peace, and over six years as Ekalaka City Court Judge, certified by the Montana Supreme Court. I have had eight years as a legal assistant and I own a legal research company (Deeds N Docs) since 2013. I am unbiased with no blood relatives living in the county. I have remained enrolled in judicial studies with the National Judicial College since 2017. I take my judicial ethics very seriously.

What do you see as the biggest issue/challenge facing this office?

Some of the biggest misconceptions are about what justice court handles and the office hours needed.

If elected, how do you plan to address this?

I would like to do some articles of interest to educate the public on the court system.

What makes you stand out as a candidate as opposed to your opponent?

I am experienced and proven, certified, knowledgeable, ethical, unbiased and fair.

Is there anything else you'd like to comment on regarding the position?

I believe that confidentiality is a must with this position. For the most part, most cases are public information, however, that information should not be coming from anyone at the court or courthouse. Everyone should have enough general ethics to keep anything they have been involved in or just overheard to themselves.