2 vie for Vermilion Municipal Court judgeship

Editor's note: Joseph Jones is a Register correspondent representing vermiliondaily.com. AMHERST — Voters heard directly from the candidates seeking to lead the Vermilion Municipal Court during the Lorain County Bar Association's Candidate Night, occurring Monday at Amherst High School. The event brought together candidates from across Lorain County, including those running for the Vermilion Municipal Court bench. With longtime Judge W. Zack Doylk concluding his 18-year tenure at the end of his current term, voters will decide between two candidates in November: • Attorney Kenneth Lieux, who has more than 40 years of courtroom experience • Attorney David Berta, a former Lorain County Domestic Relations Court judge focused on community-based solutions For clarity, Doylk remains the sitting judge until his term expires on Dec. 31. While Lieux has occasionally served as an acting judge in Vermilion at Doylk's request, this does not mean he currently manages the court. Acting judges step in temporarily to cover hearings or dockets when the elected judge is unavailable. Lieux Lieux brings four-plus decades of trial experience, having worked as a prosecutor, defense attorney and acting judge. He began his career in the Cuyahoga County public defender's office, later serving as an assistant prosecutor for Elyria, North Ridgeville and Grafton. Over the years, he has handled hundreds of trials in municipal, appellate and capital cases. Lieux is also Rule 20 certified, allowing him to serve as lead counsel in first-degree murder cases. He has served as an acting judge in several courts, including Vermilion Municipal Court, where Doylk invited him to preside when needed. Lieux said his hands-on experience gives him valuable insight into the court's operations. "My entire legal career has been spent in the courtroom," Lieux said during the forum. "I believe that experience as a prosecutor, defense attorney and acting judge uniquely prepares me to serve Vermilion residents." Berta Berta offers a different kind of judicial experience. A former Lorain County Domestic Relations Court judge, Berta served six years on the bench, managing a staff of 200 employees and overseeing a $12 million budget. While in that role, he helped establish a juvenile mental health court, a program later recognized by the Ohio Supreme Court. Berta, who lives in Vermilion with his family, said his motivation to run stems from his connection to the community. "Since moving to Vermilion, I've spoken with victims of crime, families struggling with fentanyl addiction and neighbors dealing with property issues," Berta said. "I want to use my experience to help where I live, right in my own backyard." A primer on the position, priorities The Vermilion Municipal Court judgeship is a part-time position, meaning the elected judge will continue to maintain a private legal practice while presiding over the court. This structure plays into how each candidate approaches the role. While both candidates bring extensive legal backgrounds, they differ in priorities. Lieux emphasizes efficiency and consistency, saying he would closely manage case scheduling and maintain a firm timeline to meet Ohio Supreme Court deadlines. Berta highlights his prior experience running a larger court and said he would focus on maintaining smooth operations while exploring innovative solutions. On sentencing: • Lieux leans toward traditional approaches, though he supports exploring specialized dockets for substance abuse or mental health in the future. • Berta points to his success developing a juvenile mental health court during his time as a county judge and said he would bring that experience to Vermilion. While he didn't specifically propose diversion programs, his comments focused on addressing the root causes behind repeat offenses. On platforms: • Lieux frames his candidacy around decades of trial experience and familiarity with Vermilion's court processes. • Berta emphasizes his personal connection to local families and his desire to tackle issues like addiction and property crimes affecting the community. The Vermilion Municipal Court handles criminal misdemeanors, traffic cases, evictions and small claims that directly affect residents' daily lives. Due to Doylk stepping down after nearly two decades, voters will decide who will shape the court's future operations, sentencing philosophy and approach to community-based justice. Election Day, on Nov. 4, will determine whether Vermilion-area voters chooses a seasoned trial lawyer with acting judge experience or a former county judge focused on expanding treatment options and diversion programs.