Bryan Altieri / Candidate for District Judge
Important Note: A Valley and Beyond maintains a neutral standpoint in all politics. It is the media's job to only present the facts. It is your job to learn about the candidates and vote for who you think will do the best job.
Interview
"This is an election year in the Lehigh Valley and in a lot of the country. The Lehigh Valley is primarily Democrat (party). I have the pleasure of interviewing a District Judge candidate today."
Bryan: Thank you, Michael. Good afternoon, my name is Bryan Altieri. I am running for District Judge in Bethlehem Township.
I want people to have some background information. I have always had a fervent desire to serve on the bench since I was very young. I have always been intrigued by and passionate about the law since I was very young. I have a Bachelors Degree in Criminal Justice from Moravian College (Bethlehem). I did my Masters coursework at Widener University. I am academically qualified for the position.
(Bryan somehow answered a few questions before I even asked!)
Bryan: If you think about what attributes, qualities and characteristics any respected judge should have; I really think there are several components.
One is the ability, obviously, to adjudicate the facts of law. Secondly, all judges I think, should have a strong work ethic. I have always had that. All my life, I have always had to work hard to achieve my goals.
I have been fully blind since birth. I had learning disabilities. I was a blind wrestler in New Jersey for 7 years. Whether I won or lost, people knew I gave it everything I had. Everyone respected that. In the past 15 years, I have worked on various campaigns in the Lehigh Valley, state house, senate, presidential, etc. People know how hard I work, phone banking / knocking on doors / etc. Anything I do, I give 110%.
(Bryan gives credit to his family for his work ethic)
Bryan: I think judges must also possess honor and integrity. My mom and dad owned a family business for 25 years. My dad, who was a Korean War Vet, reminded me everyday: "You are the son of a marine". My parents always said: "Whatever you do, be honest and hororable." My mom is a teacher right now. ("That is a tough job.") Oh yeah! I have seen how hard my parents work.
I think judges should be empathetic. Every decision judges make has some kind of impact on people's lives. Judges should be mindful of that. That does not mean they should not hold people accountable. Being empathetic and compassionate while holding people accountable is certainly part of the job.
I also think judges should be firm, fair and consistent. All litigants and attorneys, when the walk into court, should know a judge does not have any agendas or biases. I promise to be fair and consistent.
Lastly, I promise to be impartial and unbiased. That should be a given. Often, what I hear, a judge has some kind of bias or agenda. ("This one was serious with a bit of humor".) If you think about the old saying: Justice being blind", I have lived it ("referring to his physical blindness".). I say: Justice is blind and so am I. If you think about it from a concrete standpoint, what does that really mean? The whole idea that everyone is equal under the law. No matter what your race, national origin, sexual orientation, etc.; when you walk into court, a judge is reasonable and treat you with respect and dignity. I promise to do that and ensure equal justice under the law at all times.
"Especially with some of the major events that have happened in this country in the past year (riots in Baltimore and other places). I see this on social media, it appears, people are becoming more anti-law enforcement. This actually scares me. It is more important, now, for even judges to prove, that when you walk into a courtroom, you will be treated equally no matter who you are. Am I correct?
I always like to leave you on a great cliffhanger! Part 2 you find Bryan's response and we will get more into his qualifications for judge and learn more about this candidate.
Bryan: Thank you, Michael. Good afternoon, my name is Bryan Altieri. I am running for District Judge in Bethlehem Township.
I want people to have some background information. I have always had a fervent desire to serve on the bench since I was very young. I have always been intrigued by and passionate about the law since I was very young. I have a Bachelors Degree in Criminal Justice from Moravian College (Bethlehem). I did my Masters coursework at Widener University. I am academically qualified for the position.
(Bryan somehow answered a few questions before I even asked!)
Bryan: If you think about what attributes, qualities and characteristics any respected judge should have; I really think there are several components.
One is the ability, obviously, to adjudicate the facts of law. Secondly, all judges I think, should have a strong work ethic. I have always had that. All my life, I have always had to work hard to achieve my goals.
I have been fully blind since birth. I had learning disabilities. I was a blind wrestler in New Jersey for 7 years. Whether I won or lost, people knew I gave it everything I had. Everyone respected that. In the past 15 years, I have worked on various campaigns in the Lehigh Valley, state house, senate, presidential, etc. People know how hard I work, phone banking / knocking on doors / etc. Anything I do, I give 110%.
(Bryan gives credit to his family for his work ethic)
Bryan: I think judges must also possess honor and integrity. My mom and dad owned a family business for 25 years. My dad, who was a Korean War Vet, reminded me everyday: "You are the son of a marine". My parents always said: "Whatever you do, be honest and hororable." My mom is a teacher right now. ("That is a tough job.") Oh yeah! I have seen how hard my parents work.
I think judges should be empathetic. Every decision judges make has some kind of impact on people's lives. Judges should be mindful of that. That does not mean they should not hold people accountable. Being empathetic and compassionate while holding people accountable is certainly part of the job.
I also think judges should be firm, fair and consistent. All litigants and attorneys, when the walk into court, should know a judge does not have any agendas or biases. I promise to be fair and consistent.
Lastly, I promise to be impartial and unbiased. That should be a given. Often, what I hear, a judge has some kind of bias or agenda. ("This one was serious with a bit of humor".) If you think about the old saying: Justice being blind", I have lived it ("referring to his physical blindness".). I say: Justice is blind and so am I. If you think about it from a concrete standpoint, what does that really mean? The whole idea that everyone is equal under the law. No matter what your race, national origin, sexual orientation, etc.; when you walk into court, a judge is reasonable and treat you with respect and dignity. I promise to do that and ensure equal justice under the law at all times.
"Especially with some of the major events that have happened in this country in the past year (riots in Baltimore and other places). I see this on social media, it appears, people are becoming more anti-law enforcement. This actually scares me. It is more important, now, for even judges to prove, that when you walk into a courtroom, you will be treated equally no matter who you are. Am I correct?
I always like to leave you on a great cliffhanger! Part 2 you find Bryan's response and we will get more into his qualifications for judge and learn more about this candidate.
