Gopal Balachandran Runs for Centre County Court of Common Pleas

Candidate: Gopal Balachandran

Court: Centre 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.

Gopal Balachandran: I was born in India, moved to the United States at the age of 4 and became a citizen, along with my mother and siblings, on Sept. 17, 1987, which happened to be the 200-year anniversary of the signing of the U.S. Constitution. I went to undergrad at [the University of North Carolina]-Chapel Hill, where I graduated Phi Beta Kappa with a degree in chemistry. I entered into a Ph.D. program at the University of Chicago and was somewhat lost when I came across a story about a group of law students suing pharmaceutical companies to make AIDS drugs more affordable. I was captivated by the power of the law to do good and entered law school.

I went to George Washington University Law School, where I graduated with honors and worked at a firm for a couple of years, where I focused on transactional law before finding my true passion—indigent defense. I worked as a public defender for over a decade, honing my skills in the courtroom. I was lead attorney on over two dozen felony jury trials. I now direct the Criminal Appellate and Post-Conviction Services Clinic at Penn State Law. I have nearly two decades of experience in criminal law.

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

Balachandran: My experience in criminal law and concomitantly my commitment to public service most qualifies me for this position. Working as a public defender is public service and I see a position on the court as a significant and important extension of serving my fellow Centre County residents. Public defender work also has exposed me to many of the drivers of the cases in the court system—addiction, mental health and issues related to poverty. I also serve the community as a member of the State College Borough Council and was a co-founder of the Pardon Project of Centre County.

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

Balachandran: Criminal law cases form a significant percentage of the caseload for the Centre County Court of Common Pleas. According to the Judicial Needs Assessment report conducted by the Association of Pennsylvania Courts, criminal law cases consistently form the most time-intensive and complex cases that a judge on the Centre County Court of Common Pleas faces. Yet, the current bench has no judge with a significant or comprehensive background in criminal law. In addition, the current court has no one with public defender experience.

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

Balachandran: While the court system is adversarial and lawyers in the case are the drivers, I would make sure that pretrial conferences are fruitful, that technology is judiciously employed to keep cases moving and that I facilitate discussions when necessary to resolve cases. As a former public defender, I have experience handling heavy caseloads and know how to mediate and resolve cases.

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

Balachandran: I stand firmly against discrimination of all kinds, having represented individuals from a wide variety of backgrounds. Given my professional work, I am particularly sensitive to issues of inequality, income-based disparities and the needs of vulnerable populations.

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

Balachandran: www.gopalforjudge.com, www.facebook.com/Gopal4judge, https://twitter.com/GopalForJudge, https://www.instagram.com/gopalforjudge