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Candidate Christopher Candela

Tested in the courtroom
Trusted with serious cases
Extensive appeals experience
Experience at every level

What I Stand For

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  • Fairness and due process
  Every person is entitled to a fair hearing, careful consideration, and consistent application of 
  the law. 
  • No personal agendas
    Decisions grounded in the law and the Constitution—not personal beliefs, politics, or outcomes.
  • The rule of law
    Judges should interpret and apply the law as written, not legislate from the bench.
  • Respect for the separation of powers
    Courts must respect the distinct roles of the legislative and executive branches of government.
  • Public safety and accountability
    Holding offenders accountable and taking public safety seriously in pretrial and sentencing decisions.
  • Prepared and professional courtrooms
    Judges should be ready, attentive and efficient—ensuring proceedings are timely and focused.
    • An efficient courtroom saves taxpayer dollars.​
  • Integrity and respectful demeanor
   Decisions made without fear or favor, with all parties treated fairly.
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Real Courtroom Experience.
Proven Judgment. Ready to Serve.

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  • Extensive circuit and district court experience​​

    • Felony and misdemeanor jury trials ranging from assault and battery to homicide

    • Conducted review of complex evidence including post-mortem examinations, forensic interviews of child victims, cell phone and computer data extractions, and DNA evidence 

    • Complex pretrial litigation, including motion practice, status conferences, final pretrial hearings, plea hearings, and evidentiary hearings

    • Significant post-conviction motion practice such as motions to withdraw pleas, motions for resentencing, motions to correct invalid sentences, motions for new trial, motions for reconsideration, and motions to amend restitution

    • Responded to motions for relief from judgement, commonly called 6.500 motions

    • Handled appeals from district court to the circuit court

    • Experienced with specialty courts that promote public safety, reduce substance abuse, and reduce recidivism among non-violent offenders 

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  • Unmatched appeals experience

    • Handled more than a dozen serious criminal cases in the Michigan Supreme Court, including two that were accepted for oral argument​​

    • Regularly argued cases in the Michigan Court of Appeals 

    • Filed and responded to numerous appeals from district court to circuit court

    • Maintained a collected and professional demeanor while answering questions from panels of three judges in the Court of Appeals and seven justices in the Michigan Supreme Court

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  • Experienced Senior Assistant Prosecuting Attorney

    • Screened cases submitted by law enforcement in order to make fair and appropriate charging decisions​

    • Regularly met with victims or ensure the full protection of their constitutional rights and to prepare them for upcoming court proceeds. 

    • Worked closely with law enforcement by advising on ongoing investigations, reviewing and authorizing search warrants, providing legal updates as the law changed, and being available 24/7 to answer questions and provide advice

    • Handled Jury trials, bench trials, arraignments, bond hearings, plea hearings and sentencings, motion practice, and post-conviction appeals

    • Mastery of the Michigan Court Rules and the Michigan Rules of Evidence

    • Daily application of the Michigan Sentencing Guidelines - a scoring system that assists our courts in determining a fair and proportionate minimum sentence 

    • Reviewed police involved shootings - determining whether an officer’s use of deadly force was legally justified under Michigan law or if criminal charges are warranted.

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  • Worked in the circuit court for a circuit court judge​

    • Performed substantial legal research on matters pending before the court

    • Advised the circuit court judge on the law and made recommendations based on the law and the facts of each case

    • Drafted judicial opinions​

    • Scheduled, organized, and prepared the judge's weekly personal protection order (PPO) docket

    • Reviewed petitions for PPOs and recommended whether to grant or deny the petitions

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  • Family Law Experience

    • Worked for a family division circuit court judge handling matters involving divorce, child custody, parenting time, child support, division of assets, adoptions, child abuse and neglect, and juvenile delinquency

    • Worked closely with the Friend of the Court on a variety of family law maters

    • Drafted judicial opinions and orders following denovo review hearings - a hearing in the circuit court reviewing Friend of the Court recommendations on custody, parenting time, child support, etc.  

    • Conducted research and drafted bench memos and judicial opinions regarding the Uniform Child Custody Jurisdiction and Enforcement Act (UCCJEA) which is used to determine a child's "home state" to establish jurisdiction and the Uniform Interstate Family Support Act (UIFAS) which is used to establish or enforce child support orders across state lines

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  • Civil Law Experience

    • Handled review and litigation of cases involving the Michigan Incompatible public offices act which prohibits a public officer or employee from holding two or more incompatible public positions simultaneously.

    • Served in the Ingham County 30th Circuit Court, general trial division, for a circuit court judge presiding over a full civil docket​

    • Conducted legal research and drafted memoranda on a wide range of civil issues

    • Reviewed motions for summary judgement and made recommendations to the judge regarding the merits of the motion 

    • Worked for the law firm of Atkinson, Petruska, Kozma & Hart - known as one of the oldest, most-experienced and trusted law firms in all of Northern Michigan

    • Worked on cases involving workers compensation, social security disability, Michigan no-fault insurance law, premises liability, and personal injury

 Christopher Candela understands the job of a circuit court judge from the judge's chambers to the courtroom floor. He is prepared to serve on day one.

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​Upcoming Events

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