John Larkin
John Larkin ran for election for judge of the Michigan 3rd Circuit Court. He lost in the general election on November 5, 2024.
Larkin completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey in 2024. Click here to read the survey answers.
Biography
John Larkin was born in Michigan. He earned a high school diploma from Brother Rice High School, a bachelor's degree from the University of Michigan, Ann Arbor in 1988, and a law degree from the University of Detroit School of Law in 1991. His career experience includes working as an attorney. Larkin has been affiliated with the Detroit Bar Association, the Incorporated Society of Irish American Lawyers, the Downriver Bar Association, the Livonia Bar Association, Knights of Columbus, the Ark Association of Roosevelt Park, and the Livonia Rotary.[1]
Elections
2024
See also: Municipal elections in Wayne County, Michigan (2024)
General election
General election for Michigan 3rd Circuit Court
Adrienne Scruggs defeated John Larkin in the general election for Michigan 3rd Circuit Court on November 5, 2024.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ |  | Adrienne Scruggs (Nonpartisan)  | 55.9 | 313,000 |
 | John Larkin (Nonpartisan) | 44.1 | 247,377 | |
| Total votes: 560,377 | |||
| = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey. | ||||
| If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey. | ||||
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Nonpartisan primary election
Nonpartisan primary for Michigan 3rd Circuit Court
John Larkin and Adrienne Scruggs defeated Nicole Castka in the primary for Michigan 3rd Circuit Court on August 6, 2024.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ | | John Larkin (Nonpartisan) | 40.2 | 71,217 |
| ✔ | | Adrienne Scruggs (Nonpartisan) | 36.1 | 64,053 |
| Nicole Castka (Nonpartisan) | 22.8 | 40,452 | ||
| Other/Write-in votes | 0.9 | 1,642 | ||
| Total votes: 177,364 | |||
| = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey. | ||||
| If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey. | ||||
Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team. | ||||
Withdrawn or disqualified candidates
- Charles Longstreet II (Nonpartisan)
Endorsements
To view Larkin's endorsements as published by their campaign, click here. Ballotpedia did not identify endorsements for Larkin in this election.
Campaign themes
2024
Ballotpedia survey responses
See also: Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection
John Larkin completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey in 2024. The survey questions appear in bold and are followed by Larkin's responses. Candidates are asked three required questions for this survey, but they may answer additional optional questions as well.
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In 1993, I started my own law firm in Livonia, MI and have successfully practiced here for 33 years. I am the most experienced candidate on the ballot, with over 17 years more experience than my opponent. I’ve helped people through their most challenging times and developed a comprehensive skill set in both criminal and civil law. My three decades of practice have encompassed a broad range of areas, including civil and criminal law, bankruptcy, landlord-tenant, consumer protection, civil rights, license restoration, property law, and personal injury cases. There is no area of law that my practice has not touched or that I am unable to navigate.
I met my wife, Soraya, in law school and we have been happily married for 29 years. We have 3 adult children, Caitlyn, Veronica, and John, and 2 rescue dogs, Nori (deaf Pitbull) and Trudee (English bulldog). At the age of 13, I lost my mother. Her loss led me to lean on my strong family support and pursuits of hockey and boxing. These positive influences helped me refocus my attention during this formative stage of life on my education and being of service to my community.
I won the 1986 Golden Gloves Championship, trained at the 1986 Olympic Training Camp, and ran 12 marathons.- Fairness and Impartiality John believes that impartiality is paramount, requiring judges to approach each case with an open mind, free of bias or prejudice, and render decisions based solely on the merits of the case and applicable law. He recognizes these principles are crucial in fostering public trust in the judiciary, and are indispensable priorities in safeguarding the integrity and credibility of the judiciary.
- Willingness to Listen In the courtroom, active listening is essential. When people feel heard, they are more likely to accept a judge’s ruling, even if they disagree with the outcome. Understanding this, John makes it a priority to listen attentively to the concerns and perspectives of all parties. He recognizes that respect and genuine consideration foster trust, ensuring that individuals leave the courtroom feeling that their voices were acknowledged, regardless of the final decision.
- Preparedness, Professionalism, and Predictability A good judge meets expectations, but a great judge exceeds them. They're not just prepared and punctual, but they treat everyone with kindness and respect, fostering a welcoming atmosphere in the courtroom. When clients and attorneys know what to expect, it not only resolves cases but also streamlines the entire judicial process, making it more efficient and effective. John is committed to being thoroughly prepared for each case, diligently reviewing materials beforehand to facilitate efficient proceedings. He prioritizes punctuality, respectfulness, and approachability in the courtroom, fostering an environment where all individuals are heard and their position fairly evaluated.
In addition to knowing the law, equally important is the temperament required for this seat. A judge must be fair, patient, and able to apply the law impartially. As retired Wayne County Circuit Court Chief Judge Tim Kenny, who has practiced law as a prosecutor and been on the bench for a cumulative 43 years, noted, “John is a man of character, patience, and kindness. He will make an excellent judge.”
For the past 33 years, I’ve dedicated my career to helping people get back on the right side of the law. As a judge, I will continue this important work, to make a difference in the lives of others, no matter how small, and to leave a positive impact on both the legal profession and the Wayne County community.
With 33 years of legal practice in this courthouse, I have developed a deep understanding of the challenges my clients face. Each case is personal to me because I am their advocate. I have seen firsthand the critical difference a fair and impartial judge can make. I understand the anxiety and uncertainty clients feel when they stand before a judge, seeking justice and hoping for a fair hearing.
However, a judge must not allow empathy to override their duty to uphold the law objectively and without bias. The ability to strike a balance between understanding the personal circumstances of the parties involved and applying the law impartially is essential for a judge to render fair, just, and thoughtful decisions. Empathy enhances a judge’s capacity to relate to the litigants, but the ultimate responsibility is to ensure that justice is served according to the law.
What is essential for a judge is extensive experience in the courtroom practicing law. This hands-on experience provides an understanding of legal principles as well as the challenges individuals encounter in their daily life.
Also Zoom court has provided indigent defendants with easier access to the court without the cost of travel to the courthouse including lost hourly wages and travel time. It has also reduced the number of warrants for failure to appear in court.
Note: Ballotpedia reserves the right to edit Candidate Connection survey responses. Any edits made by Ballotpedia will be clearly marked with [brackets] for the public. If the candidate disagrees with an edit, he or she may request the full removal of the survey response from Ballotpedia.org. Ballotpedia does not edit or correct typographical errors unless the candidate's campaign requests it.
See also
2024 Elections
External links
Footnotes
- ↑ Information submitted to Ballotpedia through the Candidate Connection survey on October 8, 2024
Federal courts:
Sixth Circuit Court of Appeals • U.S. District Court: Eastern District of Michigan, Western District of Michigan • U.S. Bankruptcy Court: Eastern District of Michigan, Western District of Michigan
State courts:
Michigan Supreme Court • Michigan Court of Appeals • Michigan Circuit Court • Michigan Court of Claims • Michigan District Courts • Michigan Municipal Courts • Michigan Probate Courts
State resources:
Courts in Michigan • Michigan judicial elections • Judicial selection in Michigan
