Four compete for Justice of the Peace job

It’s a crowded race for the Department No. 2 Justice of the Peace position in Flathead County.

Bigfork attorney Paul Sullivan, Flathead County Sheriff’s Deputy Travis Bruyer and Kalispell attorney Eric Hummel are trying to wrest the job from incumbent Justice of the Peace Mark Sullivan.

Since this race is nonpartisan, the top two vote-getters in Tuesday’s primary election advance to the Nov. 2 general election.

Justice Court deals with citations issued by Montana Highway Patrol and Flathead County Sheriff’s Office and Montana Fish Wildlife and Parks, airport parking tickets, Department of Transportation and county Animal Control tickets, as well as criminal charges filed by the County Attorney’s office and civil and small claims matters.

Mark Sullivan said he wants Justice Court to “continue to be the people’s court.”

He first took office in January 2007 and in three years has created a night court and eliminated the Justice Court’s backlog. That’s work he plans to keep up if re-elected.

“I’ve worked hard, I’ve done well ... and I will continue to work hard for the people of Flathead County,” said the Whitefish native.

Although his 18 years as a practicing attorney gave him ample experience in the justice system, Sullivan said his experience outside a courtroom taught him how to work hard. He worked in construction and oil fields, fought fires and ran a business.

Bruyer is another candidate who says has learned a lot about the law from life experience.

Unlike the lawyers against whom he is running, Bruyer said he doesn’t practice law — he is out there doing it.

“I have lots of daily contact with citizens,” said the deputy, adding that when dealing with victims and suspects, one must be able to mediate on the fly and do it without bias.

He said he plans to take measures he has learned from the street and apply them in court.

Bruyer wants to provide education outside the courtroom to law enforcement, attorneys and citizens on laws and the legal ramifications of behavior.

He said he wants to end the “revolving door” of repeat offenders who keep turning up in court and would like to see additional bond amounts set to keep offenders off the street before they appear in court.

Mostly, Bruyer said he wants Justice Court to live up to its reputation as a people’s court. “I’d like to see a court where people are comfortable and where people can get a fair shake,” he said.

Hummel agrees with that perspective.

“What people want from a judge is someone who is fair,” he said. “As an attorney, my job is to advocate for my clients. As a judge, it is to listen to both sides. I’m well qualified to listen to both sides, to let people understand that they’ve been heard and come up with a fair result.”

Having worked as a prosecutor, defense attorney and on civil cases, Hummel said he can understand the perspectives of the victims and the accused, and has handled approximately 1,700 misdemeanor and felony cases involving traffic violations, domestic violence, DUIs, fish and game offenses, theft and burglary.

If elected, Hummel said he plans to establish a drug court to follow up on repeat offenders, similar to the one currently in place at Kalispell Municipal Court; expand court hours, including night court, so working folks won’t have to miss work to get a matter resolved; encourage an open-door policy to hear matters during working hours; provide consistent and timely decisions; improve collection of fines and restitution payments for crime victims; and work with victims of domestic violence and victim advocates to ensure their safety.

For Paul Sullivan (no relation to Justice Mark Sullivan), primary goals include integrating technology and streamlining the busy court by creating an online calendar.

He also said he would try to provide a positive experience for those who find themselves in Justice Court and make decisions that are fair, equitable and appropriate.

“Court works best when everyone is working together,” he said. “At the end of the day, I’m a people person. I want people to get along and I think that’s how the best results are achieved.”

Paul Sullivan said his two years of experience in criminal defense and civil litigation won’t hold him back. It means he can bring a new energy and passion to the court.

“I’m really hard-working and willing to do what it takes to keep it running efficiently and make it a place we can all be proud of,” he said.

The other county Justice of the Peace position is being sought by two candidates — Glen Neier and Daniel R. Wilson — aiming to fill the position being left by Justice of the Peace David Ortley.

Both Neier and Wilson will advance to the general election.