Darcie Fawcett has worked as prosecutor for over ten years, focusing on sex crimes. She said cases often last up to 18 months or even two years — a long wait she said weighs on victims, defendants and their families alike.
Now, as she runs to become a judge in Monroe County, Fawcett said she keeps this experience in mind.
“Making sure their cases are moving through efficiently is a big goal,” Fawcett said.
Three judicial seats — Seat 2, Seat 3 and Seat 8 — in Monroe County are up for grabs in the midterm election Nov. 6.
Seven Democrats have announced intentions to run in the primary. Two are running for Seat 2, two are running for Seat 3, and three are running for Seat 8, including Fawcett.
The two other Democrats who have filed for Seat 8 are Geoffrey Bradley and Alphonso Manns.
A primary on May 8 will narrow the field to one Democrat per seat. No Republicans have announced plans to run for a judicial seat, and if none do, whichever of the Democrats wins each primary will also win the general election for their seat by default.
Fawcett currently works as a deputy prosecutor in Monroe County. She unsuccessfully ran in the Democratic primary for judge in 2016.
Before she started her career in criminal justice, she worked as a school teacher in Thailand, Chicago and Indianapolis. She previously worked as a deputy prosecutor in Indianapolis as well.
Fawcett said her 13 years in that position gives her valuable courtroom experience that in some ways directly transfers to the role of a judge.
“Prosecutors take an oath to seek justice — you have to do what is fair and just,” Fawcett said. “That is along the lines of what a judge has to do.”
Fawcett said her positions as president of the Prospect Hill Neighborhood Association, president of the Fairview Elementary PTO and a member of the Monroe County Human Rights Commission, among other local boards, will help her better serve the community as judge.
“Being involved in so many groups and areas in Monroe County, I have an understanding of the issues important to voters,” Fawcett said.
Fawcett said her main goals as judge would be to ensure efficiency in the court and to sustain support for Monroe County’s problem-solving courts.
Defendants can be referred to these courts, which deal with mental health, substance abuse and veteran’s issues. These courts focus on addressing the root problems that lead people to break the law and often reoffend.
“If you address the underlying problems, you will help them break that cycle and stay out of the justice system,” Fawcett said.
To read about the other candidates, see our Monroe County judicial election page here.
