Peter M. Sikora
From Judgepedia
Peter M. Sikora is currently running for a seat on the Ohio Supreme Court; this year's election marks his third attempt to secure a seat on the state's highest court.[1]
Contents |
Legal Education and Experience
Education
Judge Peter M. Sikora, 56, is a graduate of Case Western Reserve University School of Law, Baldwin-Wallace College, Cuyahoga Community College and St. Ignatius High School. He is a native of Cleveland.
Experience
Judge Sikora has served on the Court since 1989. He was Deputy Director and General Counsel of the Ohio Department of Mental Retardation and Developmental Disabilities (1986-89), Deputy Legal Counsel to Governor Richard F. Celeste (1983-86) and Law Clerk to the late Judge Jack Grant Day of the Ohio Eighth District Court of Appeals (1980-82). He currently presides over the Cuyahoga County Court of Common Pleas, Juvenile Division.[2]
Awards and Associations
Political Affiliations
Democrat.
Campaign Contributions
In his second run for the Ohio Supreme Court in 2006, and most recent campaign, Sikora raised $41,802. The top three contributions broken down by economic interest are as follows:
- $12,095, Labor
- $7,800, Finance, Insurance, Real Estate
- $5,370, Lawyers and Lobbyists
For a complete summary of his 2006 campaign contributions, please go to Follow The Money: Peter Sikora.
In the News: Articles
Sikora determines Teens in Ohio can donate blood as community service option (June 16, 2008)
Juvenile Court Judge Peter M. Sikora brought the idea to the Red Cross more than a year ago after learning of large blood shortages. Sikora says teens who are unable to donate because of medical reasons can volunteer at a blood drive instead, take a CPR class or donate to local food banks. Red Cross spokeswoman Karen Kelley says supplies in the Northern Ohio Blood Region are short in six of the eight blood types — especially O Positive, O Negative and B Negative.
Blood donation is limited to those teens convicted of low-level crimes. No teens convicted of rape, murder, or violent crimes can participate.[3]
Rejects Endorsement
Sikora rejected the endorsement of the Ohio Chamber of Commerce for his 2008 Supreme Court bid. The rejection was owing primarily to the Chamber's opposition to paid sick-leave.[4] Sikora has announced an endorsement from his local AFL-CIO instead.[5]
Answered Question from the Ohio League of Women Voters in Election for May 2, 2006
Each candidate was given a 150 word limit on the question, "What options do you believe the judiciary has when there is a judicial decision that requires the legislature to act if their response does not fully address the decision?" Sikora submitted this answer:
"It is important to understand that the authority of the judiciary to enforce its decisions relies primarily on the confidence the public has in the Court's fairness and impartiality. If the citizenry believes that a Court has rendered its decision based upon the facts and the law, free of any improper or undo influence, it is more likely that the decision will be respected and followed. Similarly, when a decision is issued that requires legislative action, respect for and confidence in the independence and fairness of the judiciary should inspire an appropriate legislative response. When, for whatever reason, that does not occur, the Court does have significant authority to enforce its decisions such as appointment of a special master and exercise of the contempt authority."[6]
