Republican

Laninya Cason

Belleville

Age: 41

Single

Children: None

Job: Associate circuit judge

Phone: --

Web: casonforcircuitjudge.com

Facebook: facebook.com/casonforcircuit

Twitter: twitter.com/casonforcircuit

E-mail: casonforcircuitjudge@gmail.com

Education: B.S. in finance, master's in education, University of Illinois; J.D., University of Tennessee

Previous offices: Associate circuit judge for nine years

Qualifications: I am the only candidate in this race who has tried cases before a jury prior to becoming a judge and have presided over trials in all five counties in the circuit. I have three times the experience, handled triple the docket and have the requisite experience to become a circuit court judge. Circuit judges handle major civil and felony cases. I am the only candidate who has presided over both major civil and felony jury trials. I have a reputation for fairness and integrity.

Top issues: Judicial independence -- the ability of a judge to rule objectively based on the evidence and the law free from partisan interest, public clamor and fear of criticism. St. Clair County has been ranked in the top 5 nationally as a judicial hellhole for the past 10 years. Ever since taking the bench in 2003, I have worked diligently to restore credibility and excellence to the bench by creating law for the entire circuit, publishing legal articles for the State Bar, and educating the public by conducting a yearly workshop at SWIC. The 20th Judicial Circuit deserves independent, qualified, experienced and ethical judges and that is what I am offering.