When I first began practicing law in Lincoln County it took very little time to realize why Judge Sheryl Bachart is so widely respected in our community. I now have the honor of working with Judge Bachart as part of the Lincoln County bench and my respect for her has only grown.
Judge Bachart’s work ethic and dedication to our county is admirable and unmatched. She plays an integral role in the functioning of our courts and works tirelessly to keep them running smoothly. Judge Bachart is usually the last to leave the courthouse at the end of the day and it is rare not to see her at work on a weekend.
Regardless of how busy she is, Judge Bachart never takes the bench unprepared for a hearing, and takes the time to make thoughtful decisions in every single case because reaching a just outcome is imperative to her. When Judge Bachart hears a case you can trust that she will be well versed in the law, that defendants will be treated fairly but held accountable for their crimes, and that victims’ voices will be heard. These qualities are always important but are particularly important now.
Criminal cases take up a significant portion of our docket time. During the COVID-19 pandemic, our court has been ordered by the chief justice to hold only essential hearings. The arrests,
hearings and trials that normally happen each day have been delayed for months. When our courts return to normal operation, we will have a significant backlog of cases, many of which will be criminal matters. It is crucial that these criminal cases be handled quickly and properly to preserve the constitutional rights of the defendants, protect the safety of the community, lower recidivism and to ensure that both defendants and victims receive justice.
Losing Judge Sheryl Bachart at any time would be devastating to our county; losing her now would cripple our courts. Please join me in voting for and supporting Judge Sheryl Bachart.
— Amanda Benjamin, Judge Pro Tem, Newport