He’s seen it.
And he’s witnessed the crime get worse on the streets and in the neighborhoods of the Northern Panhandle, and that’s why Brooke County Prosecutor Joe Barki launched his campaign to become the next Circuit Court Judge in West Virginia’s First Judicial District nearly a year ago.
Barki believes the punishment needs to fit the crime once again.
The 51-year-old Brooke High graduate began his career as an assistant prosecuting attorney nearly 24 years ago in Ohio County, and he’s served as the elected Prosecutor in Brooke County for the past 12 years. The father of three once was a member of the West Virginia State Police because earning his law degree at the Delaware Law School at Widener University.
“The short answer why I want to become a judge now is because I believe it’s time for a change for the people of the Northern Panhandle. I believe our community needs a judge who reflects more of the community values that we have nowadays,” Barki said. “It’s time for us to hold criminals accountable, so we need a judge who understands the problems that we’ve been dealing with for several years.
“I’ve been a prosecutor for 20-plus years so I’ve been dealing with the crimes, and with the changes in the criminal activity that’s taken place up and down the northern panhandle. I’ve seen firsthand how these crimes have affected the victims, their families, and the communities, too,” he said. “I feel I am at the point in my career now that I could really address the problems we have now from the bench, and I believe I’m the best person qualified to do that now and in the future.”
Barki’s opponents in the non-partisan race include Wheeling attorney Dean Elliott Williams of Triadelphia, Ohio County, and the incumbent, the Honorable Ron Wilson of Weirton, who was first appointed to the bench 43 years ago at the age of 43.
The primary election on May 14th also lists three other unopposed circuit judge candidates in the 1st Judicial Circuit, including incumbent David J. Sims in Division 2, incumbent Jason A. Cuomo in Division 3, and incumbent Michael J. Olejasz in Division 4.
“The differences between me and the others in the Division 1 race are pretty stark,” Barki explained. “I want to make a positive impact on the community and not do the job the way it’s been down for more than 40 years. The crimes have changed and that means we, as a judicial system, have to evolve with it or the determent to commit crime isn’t there anymore.
“I’m a person who grew up in this valley, and that means I’ve always been held accountable for my actions. And not only did my parents hold me accountable, but so did the adults in my neighborhood in Windsor Heights,” he said. “I believe the same should be true in our courts and that’s what I would bring to the position.”
The Wheels of Justice
He grew up on First Street in Brooke County’s Windsor Heights, and Barki wanted to be a ball player growing up just like his idol and neighbor, Joe Pettini.
The Brooke High graduate played his college ball at Mercer University where he started 196 consecutive games before he was signed in 1977 as an undrafted free agents by the former Montreal Expos. Pettini was traded to San Francisco in 1980, and the infielder mad ehis major-league debut later that year.
“Every single kind in my neighborhood dreamed of being the next Joe Pettini, and that included me,” Barki said with a broad smile. “Pettini had something special, that’s for sure, but I wanted to be in the NFL, too, and I also thought about becoming a dentist.
“But then I was introduced to the legal system and law enforcement, and that’s why I went to the academy and became a West Virginia State Trooper,” he explained. “Soon after that, I became interested in becoming a prosecutor, and I did what I had to do so I could and started 24 years ago in Ohio County and I’ve never looked back.”
Since his first day, Barki has seen fist fights turn into shootings, a frightening increase in crimes against children, and drug trafficking turn into a constant crisis. Some cases, such as murders, large-scale narcotics arrests, and crimes involving animal brutality grab headlines, but another part of a circuit court judge’s job is to review possible plea deals.
“As the prosecutor in Brooke County, it’s impossible for my office – even if we wanted – to try every single criminal case. And that’s true everywhere because that’s the reality of the world,” Barki said. “The vast majority the cases are resolved through plea agreements because that’s how the wheels of justice work, so that’s why a change in the position is so needed because what worked years ago is not working anymore.
“If people aren’t held accountable for their actions, how can we expect the justice system to work? If it’s dysfunctional, how can we deter criminal activity in this panhandle? That’s why, right there, I’m running for the position. There has to be repercussions that fit the violation or someone who breaks the law will never change their behaviors. If we don’t do better, there are people who will never have the chance to be a productive member of society.”
(This article is a part of the advertising package purchased by the candidate.)
Doesn’t the prosecutor offer the pleas? If crime has gotten worse on his watch doesn’t that reflect on his performance? This seems almost like a paid for advertisement and not a news story.
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