NOVEMBER 1, 2006
BY
MICHAEL D. BATES
District Judges:
Tulsa County voters will decide five contested District Court seats and choose an
Associate District Judge. Space doesn't permit a detailed treatment of each race;
three deserve special mention.
Deirdre Dexter (dexterforjudge.com) is
widely praised for her term as Associate District Judge and has been endorsed by
10 former county bar association presidents, state legislators and city councilors
of both parties, former district attorneys of both parties, and the immediate past
chairmen of the local Republican and Democratic parties.
As I wrote before the primary, "I have yet to encounter someone who speaks ill of
[Dexter's] character, work ethic, or tenure as judge." Dexter skillfully handled
some very challenging felony cases, and she ought to be returned to service.
In contrast, the performance of Caroline Wall (judgecarolinewall.com),
the judge who replaced her, elicits widespread dismay. Attorneys say Wall doesn't
keep up with her docket. Wall's leniency is another cause for concern -- there's
a long list of cases in which Wall reduced or completely suspended jail terms for
convicted murderers and sexual predators.
Her opponent, Dana Kuehn (danaforjudge.com),
resigned a position as assistant DA to run for the seat, and has support across
the political spectrum....
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