Friday, May 07, 1999
Judge insists on standards
Lebanon appointee settles in
BY SHEILA McLAUGHLIN
The Cincinnati Enquirer
LEBANON — Spit and polish. Rules and respect. These are the new buzzwords in Lebanon Municipal Court.
Nearly a month into his new job as municipal judge, Mark Bogen said he intends to bring a more professional atmosphere to the courtroom where 100 misdemeanor cases pass through each week.
A dress code will be enforced, meaning tank tops are definitely out of the question, he said.
And those who want to be treated with respect — lawyers and defendants alike — must show the same courtesy to the judge and his staff.
“I want to strive to keep the courtroom atmosphere more formal, but I still want people to feel they can communicate with the court,” Judge Bogen said from his law office on Broadway Street last week.
“I want people to respect the court and the office and they should deserve the same treatment.”
Judge Bogen, 50, took the bench April 14 on a governor's appointment. He replaced Fred Hubbell, who died of a heart attack in March.
A former mayor of Lebanon, Judge Bogen will fight to keep his seat come November. He faces a challenge from Mason City Prosecutor Robert Peeler, and Lebanon lawyer and former mayor Jackson Hedges, who also want a shot at the four remaining years on Judge Hubbell's term.
None of the candidates is a newcomer to Lebanon ballots. Mr. Peeler lost the judgeship to Mr. Hubbell by 206 votes in the 1995 election, but placed 34 votes ahead of Judge Bogen.
Judge Bogen, who grew up in Finneytown, moved to Lebanon 25 years ago and began working as a bailiff in county court while still a student at the University of Cincinnati College of Law.
A Warren County assistant prosecutor in the 1970s, Judge
Bogen eventually opened his own practice, representing clients in civil and criminal cases.
Judge Bogen started his run for the judgeship in the 1980s, but was defeated twice.
Lebanon attorney Bill Kaufman, who barely beat Judge Bogen in the 1989 election, recalled Judge Bogen's demeanor at the time.
The two made a gentlemen's agreement not to spend any money, or to sling mud during the election.
“I can say that Mark has a lot of integrity,” Mr. Kaufman said. “I think he's kind of a laid-back individual. He'll have a good judicial temperament.”
For now, Judge Bogen said he is becoming accustomed to his new job while he finishes administrative projects that Judge Hubbell started.
That means Judge Bogen must arrange for about $20,000 in improvements to the court's computer system to keep it from crashing at the year 2000. He's also studying recommendations from the Ohio Supreme Court to improve courtroom security, though he doubts that will mean metal detectors at his courtroom door.
Meanwhile, he said, he is enjoying his new role at the bench.
“I think I know every maneuver and every trick that possibly can be played in a courtroom,” he said. “It's a pleasure just to be able to supervise.”
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