Carmen DeFranco for District Court Judge

Experience Matters

A judge's most important responsibility is to make decisions that affect the lives of real people. Every day, judges are called upon to evaluate evidence, assess credibility, interpret and apply the law, manage courtroom proceedings, and ensure that every person receives a fair hearing. These are not skills that can be learned solely from books or theory; they are skills developed through years of firsthand courtroom experience. A judge needs to spend substantial time in the courtroom to gain a practical understanding of how legal principles operate in the real world, how trials unfold, and how judicial decisions impact victims, defendants, litigants, attorneys, and the community as a whole.

For nearly twenty years, Carmen has built his career in the courtroom. As a career Prosecutor and Principal Trial Attorney in the Major Crimes Unit, Carmen has handled some of the most serious and complex cases in Michigan, including homicides, armed robberies, carjackings, financial crimes, and public integrity matters. He has conducted jury trials, argued motions, examined witnesses, presented evidence, and made difficult legal decisions under pressure. His experience has required that he work closely with victims and their families, law enforcement officers, defense attorneys, and judges, giving him a comprehensive understanding of every aspect of the judicial process.

Carmen’s courtroom experience extends beyond traditional criminal prosecution. As the Lead Felony Drug Court Prosecutor, he has worked collaboratively with judges, treatment providers, probation officers, along with the Drug Court participants to help them overcome addiction and rebuild their lives. This experience has reinforced his belief that accountability and rehabilitation can coexist, and it has provided him with valuable insight into the role that treatment courts play in strengthening our communities.

Experience matters because judges must be prepared to make sound decisions from the very first day they take the bench. In this race, Carmen is the only candidate with real courtroom experience. In fact, he is the only candidate who has spent a career standing before judges, trying cases, presenting evidence, making arguments on the Michigan Court Rules, and navigating the complexities of our legal system on behalf of the people of Michigan in open court. The citizens of Waterford deserve a judge who has dedicated his professional life to the practice of law in the courtroom and who brings nearly two decades of real-world trial experience to the bench.

The 51st District Court deserves a judge who understands the courtroom not from observation, but from experience. Carmen’s years of trial work, commitment to justice, respect for the rule of law, and dedication to serving the public has prepared him to step into that role on day one. He is the only choice to bring that proven record of experience, integrity, and dedication to the people of Waterford as their next District Court Judge.