Candidate: Fredda Maddox

Court: Chester County Court of Common Pleas

Party: Democrat and Republican

The following has been edited lightly for length and style.

The Legal Intelligencer: Tell us about your background, where you went to law school, what firms you have practiced at, and areas of law you focus on.

Fredda Maddox: No candidate offers such a deep and diverse background. My foundation began with making my first traffic arrest as a PA State Trooper where I dealt not just with traffic and DUI offenses but, as a narcotics agent, investigated criminal organizations. Later, I attended Widener Law School in the evening while maintaining full law enforcement responsibilities as an adult student. I learned the internal workings, daily operations and drafted legal opinions for the court as a law clerk for the Honorable M. Teresa Sarmina in Philadelphia.

My legal experience includes being a former Philadelphia public defender, court-appointed child advocate attorney, staff attorney with the Domestic Violence Center of Chester County and and an associate attorney with Rovito Law LLC, a family law practice. Elected Chester County sheriff in 2019, I am charged with protecting protecting the courts.

The Legal: What is one major thing about your career experience that most qualifies you for this position, and why?

Maddox: I bring non-traditional practical legal experience in addition to having practiced law for 25 years that is unparalleled to any judicial candidate in Chester County. As the elected sheriff of Chester County and law enforcement veteran, I have protected the community as a former PA state trooper and a narcotics agent with the Pennsylvania Office of Attorney General and have had to make tough and at times unpopular decisions, abide by the rule of law while showing compassion without being swayed by emotion or public opinion. The daily interactions with members of the community, providing emergency assistance has equipped me with the patience, listening skills and the ability to make credibility determinations which provide a solid foundation to serve as a judge to administer fairness, and justice for all.

The Legal: What is the main reason Pennsylvania voters should pick you?

Maddox: I bring a rare combination of legal and law enforcement experience to the bench that will result in the safety, fairness and justice for all. My broad experience as an attorney for 25 years and as the elected sheriff of Chester County gives me a balanced perspective of the judicial system. I have a lifetime of service and protection of the community with a distinguished law enforcement career. Coupled with that is my legal background as a former public defender, assistant county solicitor, child advocate attorney, attorney advocate for survivors of domestic violence and human trafficking and associate attorney with a private family law practice. Having represented the accused and the accuser, the abused and the abuser, the privileged and the poor equally, I understand how families, and community members are impacted by our justice system. This culmination of experience gives me a deep respect for the great people and institutions that work collectively to protect all of us equally under the law.

The Legal: What will be your approach to moving matters efficiently through the case management system?

Maddox: The use of technology and the creation of the case management system has been an invaluable tool to the courts and helps streamline processes and tracks cases. Unfortunately, many of us have seen what occurs when technological systems malfunction. Technology cannot replace clear communication and standardized courtroom procedures. Setting the expectations of the court, delineating roles and responsibilities, establishing clear deadlines and procedures with personnel and attorneys appearing before the court, should ensure that cases move efficiently. Clear and concise communication at the outset should reduce misunderstandings and delays in the process. Litigants are entitled to a speedy trial, and unnecessary court delays and emergency situations arise and may require matters be continued; however, the use of continuances should be the exception and not the norm nor a substitute for unpreparedness.

The Legal: What would you say to voters regarding your plans to ensure the equal administration of justice for all people?

Maddox: I have seen law enforcement, the law and courts from a variety of perspectives. One thing that remains common across all those experiences is the sanctity of the law and the need to preserve constitutional norms—the right of the accused to a fair trial; the rights of all parties to have grievances heard and adjudicated based on the evidence and the law. All parties, and this includes prosecutors, defense attorneys, defendants, plaintiffs, witnesses and court staff, deserve to be respected by the bench. My goal as both a judge and a human being, would be for all who come before me to leave feeling they were treated with respect and fairness, no matter the outcome of an individual case.

The Legal: Where can voters go for more information about you?

Maddox: Like us on Facebook and Instagram at MaddoxforJudge.com or at www.maddoxforjudge.com