Becker Elected as Trumbull Common Pleas Judge | News, sports, jobs

Chris Becker and Sarah Thomas Kovoor are vying to be the next Trumbull County Court of Common Pleas judge. The winner of this race will replace Judge Andrew D. Logan, who cannot run for re-election due to the age limit for judges in Ohio.

The candidates are no strangers to local courts, but both would take their first seats on the court if elected.

Becker has tried more cases than any Trumbull County attorney in the last 25 years. He told this newspaper’s editorial board that one of the reasons he is running is that Trumbull County (with Logan’s forced retirement at the end of his current term) will have recently lost more than 75 years of judicial experience. Judge Peter J. Kontos and Judge W. Wyatt McKay also left the court in recent years.

Becker said he learned from all three as he argued cases before them over the years.

Kovoor was Becker’s colleague from 1996 to 2001, when both were deputy prosecutors for Trumbull County Prosecutor Dennis Watkins. Kovoor has been in private practice for the past 23 years as a criminal and civil attorney. She told the editorial board that she is running as an outsider.

“I am not part of the system” Kovoor said. “I will bring an independent and impartial approach to the court.”

He said he believes in justice and is aware of the growing debate over judicial reforms.

Another point Kovoor emphasized was Becker’s history of social media posts, including some with photos of the defendants in the courtroom. He said Becker’s posts should disqualify him from the bench.

“It is concerning that someone who aspires to be a judge has been involved in controversies on social media that disparage people.” Kovoor said. “As a judge, your impartiality and judgment are critical, and that type of behavior can undermine public trust.”

Becker’s conduct was reviewed by the Ohio Supreme Court’s legal counsel after a California man filed a complaint.

In a letter dated March 31, 2021, Deputy Disciplinary Counsel Adam P. Bessler stated that Becker did not violate the Ohio Rules of Professional Conduct. With this, the state agency dismissed the complaint filed by Tim Tolka and closed the case. But Bessler stated in a letter to Tolka that Becker brought “shame and embarrassment to the legal profession.”

Becker addressed the topic during his endorsement interview.

“It was unprofessional and I have taken steps to ensure I am more careful.” said. “I took diversity and inclusion classes at Purdue University and it’s something I’ve worked on.”

Becker also said he has largely stayed away from social media outside of campaigning and plans to avoid it after the election.

It’s a good idea, both in terms of appearance and practicality. Insensitive and objectionable social media posts have never gotten anyone hired, but they have gotten more than a few people fired.

Watkins backed Becker during that controversy and backed his first assistant prosecutor in this race.

Like Kovoor, Becker would come to the stand after more than two decades of working exclusively on one side of the law and, like his opponents, said experience would be an advantage if elected.

Becker told the editorial board that he favors alternatives to incarceration, particularly the Targeted Community Alternatives to Prison program, which allows parole options for low-level offenders. He also expressed interest in running drug court, which Logan started in Trumbull County.

“The best thing that can happen is that I never see these people again, not because they are locked up, but because they have changed their lives.” Becker said. “Judge Logan created this program and I think it has done wonders for the community. “It would be an honor for me to continue that legacy.”

We believe Becker deserves the opportunity to transition from the prosecutor’s office to the court. Kovoor also clearly knows the law, but much of her argument for getting elected seemed to be presenting herself as an alternative to Becker.

But we found out that Becker is remorseful for his social media controversy and we hope he keeps his word to show better judgment in the future.

Becker can be sure that, as closely as the extrajudicial behavior of a deputy prosecutor was watched, a judge will come under even greater scrutiny.