Nov. 2014: Perry County associate circuit judge: Craig Brewer

__Name:__ Craig Brewer

__Age:__ 43

__Place of birth:__ Perryville

Craig Brewer

__Spouse's, children's names:__ Wife: Lauren Brewer

Children: Grace (14), Kate (11) and Max (7)

__Education:__

1990 graduate of St. Vincent High School in Perryville.

1994 graduate of University of Missouri-Columbia, Bachelors of Arts in English & Political Science.

1998 graduate of University of Missouri-Columbia School of Law.

__Occupation:__ Attorney

__Employer:__ Arbeiter & Brewer, Attorneys at Law

__Businesses owned, all or part:__ Partner in Arbeiter & Brewer

__Public offices held or sought; give dates:__ Perry County Associate Circuit Judge

__Website:__ www.brewerforjudge.com

__Email:__ craig@brewerforjudge.com

__Phone:__ (573) 768-0241

__What makes you the most qualified person for this position?:__

Experience, integrity and temperament. I have maintained a general legal practice for 16 years. I am intimately familiar with all the types of cases over which the Associate Circuit Judge presides. I know how to handle the issues that come before the Judge because I have represented hundreds of people with those same issues. I am a Perry County native and I know what Perry Countians deserve and expect: firm, fair and logical decisions.

__How much experience do you have with jury trials?:__

As an attorney I have represented individuals in many jury trials over my career, both civil and criminal. In truth, jury trials are a small part of what the Perry County Associate Circuit Judge does, but I am nonetheless very confident in my ability to serve as the judge in a jury trial where decisions are made not by the judge, but by the jury.

__What are your thoughts on technology in the courtroom?:__

The 32nd Judicial Circuit (Cape, Perry and Bollinger Counties) has recently made the transition to the electronic filing of all documentation in every case. I have seen the benefits of this change in practice and I welcome future technological advances that take stress off of the court personnel, the goal being greater efficiency and less taxpayer burden. That said, technology cannot ever supplant the need for reasoned and logical decisions. This would be my role.

__Judges often balance a full workload. If elected, how would you keep court proceedings running in a timely and efficient manner?:__

I have never been afraid of hard work, which is a requirement in managing a small firm in a small town. The voters of Perry County can rest assured that I will not be an absentee judge. I will show up every day, on time, and use my energy to dispense justice in an efficient manner. Reasoned decisions can take time, but Perry County has a reputation for excellent efficiency that I plan to continue.

__Closing remarks:__

I am running as an Independent because I believe partisan politics plays no role in judicial elections. This is my attempt to remove the preconceived notions that come with a party label. I want the voter to consider my background, my well-rounded legal experience and the intangibles that I possess (integrity, common sense) that are very important to having a quality court system as a cog in a quality community.