C. Dale McClain, president of the Pennsylvania Bar Association has written an editorial that sets out ten traits a voter should consider when selecting a judicial candidate: legal ability, knowledge of the law and court room procedures, personal integrity, financial responsibility, judicial temperament, mental and physical capacity to fulfill the duties of judicial office, record of community involvement, administrative ability, devotion to improvement of justice and sound judgement in professional life.
I have known Michael Ernest for many years and recently served with him as a Trustee on the Tuscarawas County University Branch District Board (Kent-Tuscarawas).
Regarding Mike’s professional experience, he has demonstrated the ability to be a Judge. He has been an attorney over 23 years. He served as a prosecutor in the New Philadelphia Prosecutor’s Office from 1997 to 2001. He served as Tuscarawas County juvenile prosecutor from 2002 to 2008. He has served as Chief Assistant Prosecutor to Tuscarawas County Prosecutor Ryan Styer from 2009 to present. Mike has successfully prosecuted thousands of felony cases. He has worked to help many who were addicted to drugs, but has prosecuted those who trafficked in drugs.Regarding community work, Mike as served as Adjunct instructor at Kent Tusc. over 15 years teaching criminal law and legal procedure, evidence, court functions and justice. Regarding community involvement, Mike has served as President of the New Philadelphia Parks and Recreation Board, the Tuscora Park Foundation, the New Philadelphia Rotary Heritage Fund Board and the Tuscarawas County Bar Association. As noted above, Mike is current serving as a Trustee of the Tuscarawas County University Branch District.
I believe that Mike Ernest has demonstrated by his experience in three courts of Tuscarawas County and by his community involvement, that he has the necessary traits to serve successfully as Judge of the Tuscarawas Court of Common Pleas.
Roger Lile,
Retired Judge, Tuscarawas County Court of Common Pleas