Candidates for the two Lake Charles City Court divisions discussed their views on certain issues and spoke of their qualifications during a forum Monday hosted by the League of Women Voters of Southwest Louisiana.

Participating candidates for Division A were Jamie Bice, Brent Hawkins and Rob McCorquodale. Current Division A Judge Tommy Quirk announced he will retire once his term expires Dec. 31.

Division B candidates include Incumbent Judge John Hood, Bryan Gill and Ron Richard.

Pam Mattingly, the forum’s moderator, asked a series of questions that each candidate had to answer. One question focused on what each judge thought was the root cause of increasing juvenile offenders and the changes the court system could make to reduce those numbers. Several candidates said the lack of a strong family structure was mostly to blame.

Bice and Hawkins spoke about educating children and parents on certain life skills.

“Those things are so important, and if they’re not getting them at home or in school, maybe through the work of the court, we can add those things,” Bice said.

Both Richard and Hood said that there is only so much a city court judge can do involving juvenile cases, given its jurisdiction. Hood said the city court normally handles “only traffic matters for juveniles,” and that all criminal matters must go under the family and juvenile division of the 14th Judicial District Court.

When asked if the court system is still working, the candidates said that while it isn’t perfect, there are many good qualities. Hawkins said that from a criminal standpoint, there is room for improvement.

“We have got to understand the folks that come through the courtroom are part of this community,” he said. “We have got to be dedicated from beginning of the process to helping make our community better.”

Richard said that, if elected, he would work to impose alternative sentencing, where someone would be required to attend church instead of being given jail time. Alternative sentencing is already in place in Division A.

“Church works folks,” he said. “It’s just that simple.”

Gill said that the problem is not the structure of the court system, but the demands put on it.

The candidates also described how they would handle a situation where someone was poorly represented by an attorney. Hood said that “70 percent or more of litigants that come to Lake Charles City Court do not have lawyers.” He said he takes a more proactive role in questioning the witnesses.

“It is my duty to search for the truth, and if the proper questions aren’t being asked, I will answer them,” Hood said.

McCorquodale said the job of judges is to be a gatekeeper and make sure things are fair.

All candidates spoke of their greatest strengths, their administrative experience and the importance that voluntary community service is for elected officials.

The election is set for Nov. 4.(MGNonline)