Derefim Bernadette Neckles - Civil Court (COuntywide)
Candidate Questionnaire
Q: Why are you qualified to be a judge?
A: My knowledge of the law, legal experience, integrity, fairness, compassion and my commitment to justice qualify me to be a Civil Court Judge.
Q: What interventions and resources do you believe are required to ensure that all judges and court personnel competently and respectfully serve and work with the LGBTQ community? What steps will you take to secure the necessary resources to implement the interventions?
A: To ensure that all judges and court personnel competently and respectfully serve and work with the LGBT community, there should be policies and programs in place to create positive cultural change and to ensure that the LGBTQ community are treated equally and with respect in the court and to ensure that the LGBTQ community advance in the workplace. There should be strict laws and non discriminatory polices put in place that specifically prohibit discrimination and harassment in the court based on one’s personal sexual orientation and gender. The court should implement sensitivity programs, seminars and workshops for judges and court personnel. Further there should be meaningful conversation that identify issues and obstacles affecting the LGBTQ community and means to address those issues. In order to secure the necessary resources to implement those interventions, as a Court Attorney Referee, I will do whatever I can within my power to see that the issues are addressed. I will also address those issues with the Chief Clerk of the Supreme Court, with the Office Of Court Administration and with the Office of Policy and Planning.