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Artimez Stands Against Drugs

By Staff | Oct 7, 2015

Artimez

John Artimez, candidate for Circuit Court Judge for the second Judicial district covering Marshall, Wetzel and Tyler counties recently stated his intention to curb or slow down the flow of illegal drugs into our area.

Artimez said he has seen the effect it has had on our community’s and the devastation it has caused to our families.

“I am tired of seeing our young people die because someone wants to come here and deal their poison, my position will be if you are dealing drugs and we have the evidence to lock you up you will spend every minute of every hour of every day for the maximum amount of time allowed by law,” stated Artimez.

Speaking about alternative sentencing and drug court, Atrimez said he is very much in favor of doing everything possible to rehabilitate offenders and make them productive citizens that can contribute to society. But that will all depend on the severity of the case and the record of the individual.

“Obviously we will not allow someone to make a mockery of the court and abuse the privilege of work release or home confinement, they must play by the rules or go to jail, repeat offenders are less likely to receive early release or be placed on reduced sentencing,” he said.

Artimez is 59-years-old and has been married to his wife, Denise, for the past 12 years. They have three children in their family: Brittany is an attorney and law clerk for U.S. District Court Judge Sam Sparks in Austin, Tx; John who is in his final semester at WVU where he will graduate with a double major in philosophy and psychology, after which he intends to do graduate work in the field of bio-medical ethics; and Caitlin, who is in her first year of medical school at WV School of Ostropathic Medicine in Lewisburg.

Artimez grew up in Moundsville and is no stranger to the area having been a basketball official for many years. He attended John Marshall High School and and when he came out of law school, he joined the firm of Bachman, Hess, Bauchman & Garden in Wheeling, where he practiced personal injury defense work almost exclusively. He later became a partner in the firm in 1985, and left in 1990 to open his own firm which he operated until 2000. In 2000 he joined McDermott & Bonenberger in Wheeling, where he remained until 2011. He presently works out of the Moundsville office of Bordas & Bordas.

Artimez said he has personally tried over 50 cases and with his time working in the Marshall county Prosecutors office has the experience needed to be an effective Judge for the second Judicial District. He said his goal is to be a fair but no nonsense Judge who will represent the people to ensure the safety and well being of all the citizens.

He also spoke about the ever growing sexual and physical abuse crimes being committed against many of our children.

” I will not tolerate anyone taking advantage of children, some of the most horrific crimes are against those who can’t defend for themselves and many times this comes from guardians and family members,” he said. “These type of crimes will be taken very serious by the court.”

He said he felt his greatest accomplishment during his career was getting a conviction at trial in a child sexual abuse case.

Artimez said all cases weather civil or criminal are serious and will be dealt with as time allows. He noted that his goal would be to set times and dates for hearings as the cases appear on the docket and to allow reasonable time for the defense and the state to prepare for each case. However, he will not drag them on and on, justice needs to be served.

He said this area is his home, it is where he was born and raised and he cares deeply for the area and it’s people. He said it would be an honor to serve the citizens in the second Judicial District as their next Judge and he welcomes the challenge.