To the editor:
Mary Wertz will be an outstanding circuit court judge for Brown County. I confidently make this assertion as a result of having known and worked with Mary for several years.
I currently work with Mary at the Bartholomew County prosecutor’s office. However, I have known her since she began her legal career some 27 years ago while we worked together in the Monroe County prosecutor’s office. Throughout her career, Mary has demonstrated that she holds those personal and professional qualities that would make her an excellent judge.
Mary has been a tremendous asset to the Bartholomew County prosecutor’s office. She is extremely conscientious, hard-working and ethical. In addition to the “normal duties” performed by a deputy prosecutor such as filing criminal charges, appearing in court and trying jury trials, Mary has volunteered to take on those issues currently plaguing our communities by serving on committees dealing with opiate addictions, juvenile offenders and domestic violence. She is highly valued for her legal advice and has been called upon to instruct fellow lawyers and local police agencies regarding complicated legal matters, including legal ethics. She has proven herself to be a “heavy-hitter” by taking on some of the most difficult cases involving sexual assaults, violence against children and homicides over her career. Mary has proven that she certainly has the professional accomplishments to be a judge.
Not only is Mary a gifted and hard-working attorney, she is also a person of the highest character. She is dedicated to her family, her church and her community. She and her husband, Scott, partnered to raise their children in Brown County and participate in their children’s many school and extra-curricular activities while Mary served her community as Brown County chief deputy prosecutor for 16 years. Mary is also widely respected by her fellow attorneys and the many judges before whom she has appeared as a result of representing the State of Indiana as a deputy attorney general and prosecutor.
On a personal note, I want to assure the voters of Brown County that Mary Wertz is a person who can be trusted to perform the duties of circuit court judge. Over the years, I have found Mary to be extremely conscientious about knowing and following the law when called upon to make decisions impacting people’s lives. More importantly, I also know Mary to be a person who can always be relied upon to do the right thing, even if it is not the easy or popular thing to do.
I am confident that if you should vote for Mary Wertz to serve as your circuit court judge, you will never regret that decision. In fact, I firmly believe you will be proud of your decision to give her your support, just as I am.
Most sincerely,
Kathleen M. Burns, Bartholomew County chief deputy prosecutor
