Warren County Court of Common Pleas- Probate/Juvenile - Michael E. Powell (R)

1. Which former U.S. president's political philosophy best matches your own?

   Ronald Reagan

2. Which U.S. Supreme Court Justice's legal philosophy best matches your own?

   Scalia

3. Rate your judicial philosophy regarding the U.S. Constitution on a scale of 1-10 with "living/evolving document" being 1 and "strict constructionist" begin a 10.

   9

4. In Roe v. Wade, 410 U.S. 113 (1973), the U.S. Supreme Court recognized a "right to privacy" under the Constitution that includes abortion. The Constitution does not include this right.

   Agree
   It is my opinion that neither the IX nor the XIV amendments to the U.S. Constitution include a right of privacy precluding state legislation regulating abortion. Nevertheless, Roe v. Wade, unless and until overturned or modified, remains the law which I am bound to follow pursuant to my oath and duty as a trial judge.

5. Judges should refrain from "legislating from the bench." The translation of public policy into law and the creation, extension, modification, or limitation of citizens' rights (and governmental authority) are properly within the province of the legislative, not judicial, branch of government.

   Agree

6. An unborn child is biologically human at every stage of his or her biological development, beginning at fertilization.

   Agree

7. The law should be applied to pro-life demonstrators in the same manner is applied to environmental, anti-war and labor demonstrators.

   Agree

8. There is no provision in the current Ohio Constitution intended to require the use of public funds for abortion.

   Agree
   I have had no professional experience with this issue either bfore or since coming to the bench. Therefore, I claim no specialized knowledge of expertise in this particular area of the law. I am aware of no provision of the Ohio Constitution that is intended as requiring the use of public funds for abortion. Notwithstanding my opinion in this regard, my oath and duty as a trial judge require that I follow binding case law precedent to the cases coming before me.

9. List all organizations to which you have contributed time or money in the past four years.

   Lebanon Presbyterian Church
   Lebanon Kiwanis