Hamilton County Court of Common Pleas - Jerry Metz (D)

1. Which former U.S. president's political philosophy best matches your own?

   Jimmy Carter

2. Which U.S. Supreme Court Justice's legal philosophy best matches your own?

   no answer provided

3. Rate your judicial philosophy regarding the U.S. Constitution on a scale of 1-10 with "living/evolving document" being 1 and "strict constructionist" begin a 10.

   5

4. In Roe v. Wade, 410 U.S. 113 (1973), the U.S. Supreme Court recognized a "right to privacy" under the Constitution that includes abortion. The Constitution does not include this right.

   I would have a duty to follow the law and precedent established by higher courts. As a judge, I would have a duty to apply the law fairly to the facts of the case before me.

5. Judges should refrain from "legislating from the bench." The translation of public policy into law and the creation, extension, modification, or limitation of citizens' rights (and governmental authority) are properly within the province of the legislative, not judicial, branch of government.

   Ohio appellate courts have spoken against "impermissible judicial legislation," but have recognized that "the courts, while not usurping the role of the legislature, must, in the absence of legislation, resolve the disputes brought before them in accordance with the law and public policy." Any case that comes before me will be decided upon the applicable law and precedent.

6. An unborn child is biologically human at every stage of his or her biological development, beginning at fertilization.

   Agree
   While this is my personal belief, any case that comes before me will be decided upon the applicable law and precedent.

7. The law should be applied to pro-life demonstrators in the same manner is applied to environmental, anti-war and labor demonstrators.

   Agree
   I believe that every person is entitled to freedom of speech under the Constitution. Any case that comes before me will be decided upon the applicable law and precedent.

8. There is no provision in the current Ohio Constitution intended to require the use of public funds for abortion.

   Undecided
   Any case that comes before me will be decided upon the applicable law and precedent.

9. List all organizations to which you have contributed time or money in the past four years.

   Immaculate Heart of Mary Parish, Member of the Social Ministries Advisory Commission; Scleroderma Foundation, Ohio Chapter; Hamilton County Common Pleas Court; United States District Court; Cincinnati Bar Association; United Way; American Red Cross; Amnesty International, Archbishop's Fund; Bread for the World; Catholic Relief; Cincinnati Bar Association; Cincinnati Bar Foundation; Cincinnati Public Radio; Downs Syndrome Association of Greater Cincinnati; Fine Arts Fund; ForestAires; Franciscan Haircuts from the Heart; Franciscan Network; Franciscans International; Friends of Batahola; Habitat for Humanity; Hamilton County Common Pleas Court; Maryknoll Fathers; Mercy Montessori School; New Jerusalem Community; National MS Society; National Geographic Society; Water for People; Operation Smile; NAMI Hamilton County; Scleroderma Foundation; Sunflower Haven; Tender Mercies; Working in Neighborhoods.