Your Opinion: Veiled contributions create practical problems

Dear Editor:

I have been practicing law in Cole County for 29 years. As a trial lawyer, I have appeared in front of Judge Pat Joyce numerous times for motions and hearings. I have won some and lost some, but I always know that she will listen to the arguments and rule according to the facts and law. Because of that, I am one of the local attorneys that has contributed money to her campaign.

Since most of Judge Joyce's contributions have come from the local Bar, it is likely my opposing counsel will have given to her campaign as well. If not, opposing counsel can decide to have her disqualified from any case I am in.

If Brian Stumpe is elected, how can any lawyer or party know when to disqualify him, since we don't know the true source of the massive amount of money being used to smear Judge Joyce and buy this election?

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