Today we’d like to introduce you to Mercedes Watts.
Hi Mercedes, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today.
I am the first African American to run for Judge in Ottawa County. I am breaking barriers and challenging the status quo. I am also a fearless defender of the underprivileged, the underserved, and the underrepresented. My specialty is Family Law. I have seen firsthand the devastating consequences an overburdened system has on the children of Michigan. Filling this newly created Judgeship will give me the opportunity to help remedy the troubling backlog Ottawa County is experiencing. As a public defender, I am also motivated to disrupt the “prosecutor to bench” pipeline. To
date, all but two judges that have held the seat have been prosecutors. I have identified potential conflicts of interest in this tendency. Prosecutors rely heavily on suggestions from law enforcement, a connection that can be problematic for some communities where relationships with law enforcement are strained. I worked, briefly, as a prosecutor. I left the position on realizing my values were more in line with that of a defense attorney.
My decision to practice the challenging field of Family Law stems from my personal experience of being raised by a single mother who faced numerous obstacles. I am is convinced that the help and guidance my mother received from her community was key to me becoming the successful professional I am today. This background also contributes to my understanding that each family’s needs are different, and cases should be decided on an individual basis.
I was born in Illinois and relocated to Western Michigan in my youth. I attended Grand
Valley State University, then returned to Chicago to earn my law degree from DePaul University. I came home to Michigan, and the community I love opened my own law firm, and worked for Legal Services of South-Central Michigan.
I am currently an Assistant Public Defender for Ottawa County. I am the proud mother of two children. I am honored to serve Michigan families and communities. I will continue to work tirelessly to give all Michigan children a safe and equitable future.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not, what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
It definitely has not been a smooth ride. From the challenges of running a campaign to the negativity I have received. I am not a career politician. This is the first campaign I have ever run, and it has definitely been a learn-as-you-go process. But I, fortunately, have had a lot of groups and organizations offering training and resources that have been extremely helpful. When it comes to the negative comments and the racial micro-aggressions. It saddens me to say that I am used to it. I am a black woman in America, working in a field dominated by predominantly white men. I have heard it all and there’s nothing I can do about it.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
Currently, I am a public defender for Ottawa County, and I absolutely love what I do. I love helping people. I love showing people that there are other options out there even though it doesn’t seem that way. When people come to court, it is usually one of the most scariest moments of their lives. I’m happy I can be there to ease that worry and reassure them. As a public defender in Ottawa county, I am legally not allowed to practice family law. But seeing as how I have practice family law for the past five years, it is still my specialty. What I believe I most known for is my smile and my bubbly personality. I always try and greet everyone with a smile and be positive while I am at work. What I am most proud of is the work I have done in my private practice, at legal services, and at the public defender’s office. I got into this field to help people, and that is exactly what I’m doing. What sets me apart from others is my gender, my race, and my experiences. I am the first black person to run for Judge and Ottawa County. I have made history just by getting onto the ballot. That right there shows why my county needs me.
What sort of changes are you expecting over the next 5-10 years?
I hope to be Judge one day and continue helping people on a much bigger scale.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.mercedeswatts.com
- Instagram: www.instagram.com/mwatts4judge
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100079869647911
