Circuit Judge George Moran
Q)Your father, George Moran Sr., was a judge. Did you feel any pressure when you were growing up to follow in his footsteps?
A)No. Dad really wanted me to be a doctor or an orthodontist. Back then, orthodontists made very good money and worked normal hours, while lawyers and judges are constantly working and away from their families.
Q)You've been a judge for 27 years. What accomplishments stand out in your mind?
A)Being able to work out complicated family and juvenile issues that were brought before the court. As a judge, I was able to help relieve stress and pain some families and children suffered. They were not high profile cases but I really had satisfaction knowing I was able to help a family or child in need of help. There is not a better feeling than showing a child in need that there is a possibility of a better tomorrow.
Q)The media has been very critical of Madison County civil judges. How do you deal with the criticism?
A)First and foremost, I believe in the freedom of the press. An elected official is not above justified or unjustified criticism. To take a quote from Harry Truman, "If you can't take the heat, get out of the kitchen."
Being a judge invites criticism because you have to make difficult and complex decisions, but that is the nature of the job. Conservatives, liberals, we all have a right to say what we want.
Q)Do you believe justice can still be served in Madsion County?
A)Certainly, it is served here every day. You have to look at the total picture and not just the cases that get reported about huge awards. Justice is served everyday in Family, Criminal and Juvenile Courts but that never gets the attention like a huge jury award.
Q)How important is "voir dire" in jury selection? What is your duty as a judge in the process?
A)It is a very important part of the process, my role would be to initially ask background questions to the potential jurors, and then ask some questions that the attorney's may be afraid to ask. Depending on the type of case I may have to ask very personal question to determine biases one way or another.
Q)What is the most difficult decision you have ever made during a trial?
A)I once had to overturn a jury verdict in an auto accident case, but in my opinion there was no way the accident happened the way the jury ruled. It was a matter of who hit who in the accident, and all the physical evidence was on one side of the road which indicated that the accident happened on one side of the road--which for one reason or another the jury did not see it that way. It is very rare when a judge will have to overturn a verdict, but there was just no way the jury got this one right. The appellate court affirmed my ruling.
Q)How did you deal with people who have made death threats against you?
A)I have had two death threats, one by a criminal who threatened me in court and one by a mentally ill person who was arrested in Jackson County. I guess that also comes with the job. I do not think it affected me all that much though.
Q)It is well known that you are an advocate for herbs and vitamin supplements. How did you become such an advocate?
A)Well Dad is 92. He takes them and is doing great. He recommended them to other family members. My aunt's chest pain went away after dad recommended she try CoQ10.
When I was 30, I had colon cancer and after beating that I started taking them. I truly believe that if I had been taking them my whole life, I would have never had the cancer.
I take salmon oil which will help lower your blood pressure and cholesterol while raising your good cholesterol--DHEA which some call a super vitamin. It helps slow the aging process, helps your bone growth, and helps you put on lean muscle. I also take B-12, Folic Acid, Garlic, Zinc, Vitamin E and an aspirin.
What I like the most is that un-like most prescription drugs which all have some side effects, I can take the supplements without worry of some harsh side effects.
Q)Do you plan on running for retention in 2006 or are you going to call it quits?
A)I do plan on running for retention again. I still enjoy doing my job, and feel like I am doing a good job. I also have the pleasure of running with three other fine judges in Ann Callis, Charles Romani and John Knight.