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Balachandran, Rater aim for judge seat in Court of Common Pleas

BELLEFONTE -- Two Centre County residents are looking to take on the role of a judge in the Court of Commons Pleas for the 49th District.

Both candidates have crossfiled in the election, with those voting either Republican or Democrat, during this year's Primary allowed to choose just one candidate.

Candidates are Gopal Balachandran and Julia Rater.

The League of Women Voters of Centre County once again compiled information for both candidates.

The material seen here was compiled by the candidates and the League of Women Voters of Centre County (LWVCC) with assistance from the League of Women Voters of Pennsylvania. Each candidate's reply has been printed as submitted by the candidate.

Candidates were invited to participate in the Vote411 online voter's guide via email. All reasonable efforts were made to encourage candidates to participate.

Nothing should be construed as an endorsement or non-endorsement of any candidate, party or initiative by the League of Women Voters or The Express.

GOPAL BALACHANDRAN

Gopal Balachandran currently teaches at Penn State Law where he runs a Criminal Appellate and Post-Conviction Services Clinic. Through the clinic, as one of few death penalty certified attorneys in Central Pa., Balachandran works on cases from Philadelphia to York. The clinic also partners with organizations like the ACLU and the Public Defender Association of Pennsylvania to weigh in on constitutional issues affecting Pennsylvanias. Balachandran practiced law prior to this, graduating from UNC-Chapel Hill, where he obtained his Bachelors; the University of Chicago where he obtained his Masters and graduated from law school at George Washington University. Among his experience in law, Balachandran spent 10 years as a public defender, trying cases ranging from possession of drugs to first degree murder. Following the death of his father, Balachandran chose to become more active in the community, being elected to State College Borough Council in 2021.

Q: If elected, what will be your top three priorities, and how will you address them?

A: I am running because I believe Centre County residents deserve a more balanced bench with at least one judge who has a comprehensive background in criminal law. As a former public defender, I have worked in all phases of the criminal process -- trials, appeals and post-conviction cases -- over a span of nearly 20 years.

My first priority would be to ensure fairness and equality for all, by properly balancing public safety with the rehabilitative needs of our fellow residents.

My second priority is to make sure our problem-solving courts work to their full potential in reaching the maximum number of people needing this help.

Finally, having handled a heavy felony case-load, I recognize the administrative issues that cause delay. My goal would be to make sure cases run smoothly and efficiently through the court.

JULIA RATER

Julia Rater is a local attorney who has practiced law in Centre County for 27 years. Currently, she's a partner at McQuaide Blasko. Her specialties are in areas of civil law where Centre County judges spend 70 percent of their time, as reflected in the Centre County Legal Journal. In addition to her practice, for 15 years she has served on the Board of Governors of the Centre County Bar Association. She is also chair of the Association's Bench-Bar Committee. Rater is co-author of "Custody Law and Practice in Pennsylvania," published by the Pennsylvania Bar Institute, and frequently writes course materials and serves as an instructor for the Pennsylvania Bar Institute. She has practiced before all three of Pennsylvania's appellate courts: Commonwealth, Superior and Supreme.

Q: If elected, what will be your top three priorities, and how will you address them?

A: As judge, above all, I want everyone to know their case will be treated with importance. I will listen attentively and patiently to the evidence. I will decide the matter based on the unique facts of the case and the written law. Second, I want people to be respected. I will treat all people kindly, fairly and equitably, regardless of race, religion, gender, sexual preference, wealth or disability. Third, I want the parties to receive a resolution within a reasonable amount of time. I know from experience, with clients involved in many different types of matters, that the wait is hard -- sometimes excruciating. I will be decisive and efficient in rendering decisions. I will use my mediation and collaborative law background to move cases to completion, as resolving matters by agreement saves time, can eliminate criminal records and opens the courtroom to those who need a decision by a judge.