Stormy Langston interview

Incumbent Stormy Langston is running for re-election for the consolidated Lincoln County Justice of the Peace position.

Langston, 48, has an extensive background in criminal justice. She began working as Justice of the Peace in 2006.

Langston is married to her husband, Terry, and has five children.

What professional experiences do you have that directly relate to your ability to perform the duties of this position?

Well, I have seven-and-a-half years on bench. During that time I have handled more than 6,000 cases. I have more than 400 hours training with the Montana Supreme Court.

In the past, I worked in community corrections with abuse. I am a licensed addiction counselor in Colorado, where I did court ordered assessments for one-and-a-half years. For four years I worked with homeless and chronically ill, mentally ill, veterans in Colorado. I also worked as a juvenile probation officer in Texas for one-and-a-half years. I was then the liaison between schools and juvenile probationers in Houston. While I was there I established the first juvenile justice alternative education program. I have a master’s in criminal justice and a bachelor’s in psychology from the University of Colorado.

How did you get involved in legal system in Montana?

Shortly after my husband and I moved here, I saw in the Tobacco Valley News that the judge was not running for re-election. I thought, what a perfect opportunity for me to use my degrees. So, I ran the for position in 2006.

What is a Justice of the Peace and what have you learned about the requirements of the position since you began?

I handle everything except for juvenile crimes. We do handle Fish and Game violations and traffic issues. Felonies come to us first. I handle small claims cases up to $7,000 and civil cases up to $12,000.

I did not think we would have as many cases as we do in a small town.

Why do you believe you are the best candidate?

I think my education and experience make me stand out. I can strike a proper balance between fair and impartial and firm. In my courtroom I hold everyone accountable including officers, attorneys, defendants and myself. I think that I treat everyone with the respect that they deserve.

Have you ever appeared in Justice Court outside of your judicial duties?

Yes, in Whitefish. We had a neighbor boy come to our house. He hit my dog on the nose and my dog bit him. They took my dog into quarantine and they had a panel for vicious dogs. I went before Judge Johnson in Whitefish and I won that case. They wanted my dog put down, and Judge Johnson said no. Still, I don’t think my case was listened to all the way. I felt like the judge was talking down to me, I guess. I mean obviously, looking back on it, I didn’t do a lot of things I should have done. I would have had more witnesses and I would have objected to a lot of what the attorney said. A lot of it was hearsay. But those are things I learned on the bench.

When people are in my courtroom everyone is on a level playing field. They are treated with respect and I listen to both sides of the story fully. I don’t want anyone leaving and thinking that they were ignored or treated unprofessionally or disrespectfully.

Tell me about your ability to communicate with the everyday person.

I think I have strong communication skills. It is easy for me to communicate with the everyday person. When I am talking with people I don’t necessarily use a lot of legal terms; or if I do I always explain what they mean. I think that I am a very good communicator with people on the streets.

What can you do better?

I can probably, streamline some things. I can make some cases go faster and make it not so difficult for attorneys and defendants to come to court four or five times.

I can always learn new laws and I am very open to learning new things.

How do you handle the increased workload?

I will have to prioritize. I will have to handle criminal cases looking at speedy trial issues, those come first.

If I am elected I have to look at outstanding cases with speedy trial issues and go from there. I know there will be outstanding cases from (Eureka) that we will combine down there in Libby. I will have to prioritize. I think we can handle that fairly easily, actually.

Could you explain what speedy trial issues are?

By statute, criminal cases have to be brought to trial within six months, unless defense waives their right to a speedy trial. From the time a not guilty plea is entered to going to trial or presenting a plea agreement has to be within six months.

Was it an easy choice to run for re-election?

Absolutely. I love my job and I love working with people. I love the law and I am not ready to retire. It was a very easy choice.

What is the most pressing public peace concern in Lincoln County?

I would say alcohol and drug abuse. Lincoln County has one of the highest DUI rates in the state. We were also one of the top counties for underage drinking, as well. The best way I can combat that is with consistent sentencing and harsher sentencing for the multiple offenders.

How would you handle the commute to Libby?

I don’t think it is going to be an issue. I drove to Whitefish seven days a week for a year and a half when we first moved up here. When I lived in Houston I drove 65 miles to work. It is about planning for time and road conditions. It is not a big deal, not at all.

How tough are you on crime? Do you look at things on an ad hoc basis or more of a black and white approach?

I handle all cases on an individual basis. The law is not black and white. Judges are given parameters for sentencing, and as long as we rule within those, we are good.

I think I am tough on crime. Obviously, a third-time offender gets much more time and fines than a first-time offender. It all depends on the facts of the case. I take all cases on a case-by-case basis and operate with the parameters set before me. But, yes, repeat offenders get more punishment than first time offenders.

What else should the voters know about you?

Um, I have done a good job for the last seven-and-a-half years and I would really like the opportunity to continue to serve the people of Lincoln County. I do not believe they would be sorry if they elected me the next justice of the peace.