Jayne, Owens square off in Justice of the Peace race
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LAKE COUNTY — Joey Jayne and Randal “Randy” Owens are candidates for Lake County justice of the peace.
Incumbent Jayne has served as justice of the peace since Jan. 2, 2013. She is a licensed Montana attorney who has lived in Lake County since 1992.
She said the one of her goals is to be “consistent with applying the law to the facts presented to the court.”
She also wants to streamline civil and criminal procedures so that justice can be served.
Jayne said she strives to apply sentences that are consistent with law.
Challenger Randal Owens has served 22 years with the Montana Highway Patrol, and is currently a sergeant for the Lake County Detachment. He previously served in the United States Army and was a business owner.
“These experiences have instilled in me a sense of duty, service and respect for everyone,” Owens said.
Owens said he is known for being fair and compassionate and has vast knowledge of Montana’s traffic and criminal laws. He said the core principals that play an integral part in his life include service, integrity and respect.
“I strive to be honorable and upright in every situation,” Owens said. “I believe it is essential to have an unbiased consideration for the rights, values, beliefs, and property of others.”
Owens said he believes “it is essential to make prompt decisions on cases. Cases are too often left waiting for decisions. It is essential that the JP can efficiently administer the duties of the court with fairness, firmness, and consistency.”
Owens said he believes the court system belongs to the people, but not to its judges or attorneys.
“It is not necessary to be a practicing attorney to be a justice of the peace, but certainly one must have a good understanding of laws, legal rights, and duties,” Owens said. “The judge must be courteous, patient, attentive, and most importantly, have good common sense. I believe I have these qualifications.”
