Ingrid Turner Decides to Run for Judge Circuit Court

BOWIE, Md. - Feb. 6, 2016 - PRLog -- On February 1, 2016 Ingrid M. Turner, the former chair of the Prince George's County Council and a 20-year military veteran who served in the U.S. Navy Judge Advocate General’s Corps (JAGC), announced that she can "best serve the entire community and fellow veterans" by becoming the next Prince George's County 7th Circuit Court Judge.

"If the people elect me and I am blessed to serve, I will be a Circuit Court Judge who runs a problem-solving court that works in effective ways with everyone who comes before me," Turner said. "On the bench, I will be firm, but fair. I will provide alternatives to incarceration and other paths for individuals to become productive members of society. I come from the community and I have heard the community loud and clear. Just locking people up and throwing away the key is not the answer. I know what the community needs and want. Becoming a Circuit Court Judge will allow me to best serve my community and fellow veterans with whom I have so proudly served."

Turner said meeting with voters, talking one-on-one and the recent establishment of a veterans court helped her realize her "true passion and true purpose."

In November, Prince George's County received funding for a veterans court treatment program dedicated to serving all veterans with documented substance abuse and/or mental health issues. Along with dealing with veterans, the Circuit Court handles civil and criminal jury trials and family and juvenile matters. The Court also handles appeals and reviews from the District Court and various administrative agencies.

"My life has always been about service and I have always wanted to serve on the bench," Turner said. "After careful thought, evaluation and prayer I believe at this time I can best serve the community as a member of the Circuit Court. It is easy to see, especially at this critical time in our nation and community, judicial reform is desperately needed. I bring a diverse background with an understanding of the need to be firm, but fair and innocent until proven guilty. Rehabilitation and services is what many of the citizens in the criminal justice environment need so that they can be productive citizens. My goal is to bring people together."

Maryland Governor Larry Hogan agreed and said the need to help veterans remains great.

“We know that many veterans – no matter when they served – are vulnerable to post-traumatic stress disorder and other mental illnesses,” said Governor Hogan. “Veterans Treatment Courts across the country have proven they can hold veterans charged with nonviolent crimes accountable for their actions, while providing them with the treatment they need.”

Turner, a retired JAGC officer with a record of distinguished service, spent 20 years in the military. Her most recent military experience included managing the allocation and training of 725 reserve attorneys and paralegals to ensure optimal legal services worldwide and Executive Assistant to the Assistant Deputy Judge Advocate General.

"I have a breath of experience in local, federal and international courts," Turner said. "I am going to look at each person as an individual who comes before me. I am going to look at each case. With me, you know you are going to get a fair shake. When your son, brother, husband, wife, or daughter come before me, I am going to give them a firm, but fair shake."

As the former chair of the Prince George’s County Council, Turner was the first African American elected as the District 4 Council Member representing the City of Bowie, City of Greenbelt, Glenn Dale and parts of Lanham Seabrook, Upper Marlboro and Westchester Park. Turner served two consecutive terms ending a little more than a year ago due to term limits.

While on the Council, Turner was elected as the first African American female to serve as president of the Maryland Association of Counties, representing all 23 Maryland Counties and Baltimore City. She was appointed by former Governor Martin O’Malley to serve on the Governor’s Workforce Investment Board. She served on the Board of Directors for the Prince George’s County Economic Development Corporation, the Board of Directors for the Dimensions Health Care System, and Board of Directors for the Maryland Association of Counties.

Along with graduating from the United States Naval Academy, Turner earned an MBA from Golden Gate University, a Juris Doctorate from The Catholic University of America, Columbus School of Law, and she completed advanced studies in healthcare law from the George Washington University School of Law.

Turner said she has not decided whom she will now support for Congress.

"There are many fine candidates running. Right now, my focus is to become a judge. I was raised by my father who was a 30-year military veteran and my mother who was a long-standing, distinguished educator. Service and being firm, but fair are all part of my DNA."