Antonio S. Nicholson

Candidate insights: Has worked as a public defender in Cuyahoga and Lake counties.
Coaches middle school and high school wrestling.
Sitting Judge?: No
Party: republican
Residence: Solon
Admitted to practice law in Ohio: 2014
Previous jobs: Public defender, Private practice (criminal)

You asked. They answered.

Antonio S. Nicholson's responses to questions from the community.

As a judge, one tool you have is discretion. In one or two sentences, how will you use it?: Instead of focusing on the “what” (what the person did), I would focus on the “why.” When we discover the reasons for why people engage in certain types of behavior, we can use our discretion to sentence them appropriately.
How would you keep your own biases and personal beliefs in check when deciding cases involving people of different races, economic or social backgrounds, identities or life experiences?: Throughout over a decade of practicing as a criminal defense attorney, including a third of my career having served as an assistant public defender, I have represented several people with different beliefs, religions, backgrounds and origins. Thus, with my experience, integrity, and respect for the law, I feel that I would have no problem following the law and leaving my personal beliefs out of it.
In recent years, Cuyahoga has made reforms to its bail system and reduced reliance on cash bail. Have they gone too far or not far enough? Why?: Bail is essentially pretrial relief. Judges in Cuyahoga County are tasked with imposing reasonable bonds, while weighing the safety interest of the public and protecting the rights of the Defendant. I believe that Cuyahoga County is making progress in addressing the reduction of reliance on cash bonds. Lately, judges in Cuyahoga County have been using their discretion to impose reasonable bonds, by utilizing alternative methods when determining pretrial release. These methods include, gps monitoring, home detention, and various treatment programs. Thus, I believe there is progress being made, but there is always room for growth and improvement.
Should judges be elected? Why or why not? If not, how do you think judges should be chosen?: I have always been of the belief that judges should be elected by the people who they seek to serve. The people should have the absolute right and power to choose the candidate whom they deem is the most qualified and appropriate to serve the people in that position.
Cuyahoga County has programs to give people a chance to avoid conviction and jail for certain crimes. How well do you think these programs work? Would you like to see any other kinds of programs?: I believe these programs work very well in allowing people the opportunity to redeem themselves after making a mistake and committing certain crimes. Furthermore, I will continue to encourage that more of these programs become available to eligible defendants. In certain cases, defendants should get consideration for repaying the debt that they put upon society; whether that be having access to record sealing opportunities, reentry, resources, and other various programs, to ensure that they can be productive members of society.
How would you grapple with handing down a decision that would upset a victim or their family, or a defendant or their family?: When imposing a sentence, I will always comply with the sentencing factors comprised in the Ohio Revised Code. In addition, I will strongly consider pre-sentencing investigation reports, the defendant's background, the specific crime of conviction, and the interests of a victim and their family. After considering such, I feel that I will have full confidence in any sentence that I impose.