Welcome
Thank you for your support of my candidacy for Oakland County Circuit Judge during the primary election, August 5, 2008. This was my first campaign for public office and the experience was invaluable. During the campaign, I learned from meeting individual voters, engaging in discussions with other candidates at public forums and the challenge of thinking about how the court can better serve the citizens of Oakland County. This has strengthened my commitment to public service on behalf of families and victims in Oakland County, and has encouraged me to consider the possibility of running again for a seat on the Oakland County Circuit Court bench. For now, I want to say "thank you."
I plan to update the Giles for Judge Web site from time to time as part of keeping voters informed about my work as an assistant Oakland County prosecutor and ideas I hope to bring to another campaign for the Circuit Court.
During
2009, I welcome opportunities to meet with individuals and
organizations to hear your concerns and your ideas for making our
courts work better on behalf of all of our citizens. What I learn from
these discussions will help frame additional ideas toward serving the
citizens of Oakland County.
An issue of deep concern to me is
protecting our children from those who seek to harm them. In an
effort to inform families about the dangers children and families face
from computer predators, I have developed a presentation designed to educate parents about the problem. My talk and slide show demonstrate the dangers from those who seek to prey on unsuspecting children
through pornographic images, through enticing children to meet for
sexual purposes, through cyber bullying, and through convincing children to
provide personal information about themselves and their families.
I
have spoken to numerous groups about this subject and would welcome the
opportunity to help families understand the risks that predators pose
to families. If you are interested in having me speak to your group, I
can be reached at 248-858-0665 or online at gilesr@oakgov.com.
In my work as a member of the Oakland County Prosecutor's Office, I have devoted my skills and energy to protecting children and families. As chief of the Child Sexual Assault Unit, I understand how overwhelming and frightening the criminal justice system can be for average citizens. I have successfully prosecuted many cases, and in every one I am reminded how much young victims of sexual assault and their families count on the criminal justice system in Oakland County to be fair and just.
My desire to serve as a judge of the Circuit Court has been heavily influenced by my experience over more than seven years in bringing sexual perpetrators to justice. As an advocate for victims, I have participated in a legal system that is committed to protecting the community from sex crimes. Over that time I have developed a deep respect and appreciation for the integrity of the law and role of our courts in helping build a community in which children can be raised in an emotionally and physically safe environment.
I joined the Oakland County Prosecutor’s Office in 1996, working in the Warrants Division and the District Court Division, where I prosecuted a variety of misdemeanor crimes: retail fraud, drug possession, drunk driving and assaults. I was then assigned to the Juvenile Justice Division, where I prosecuted neglect and delinquency cases.
In my work as chief of the Child Sexual Assault Unit, I supervise four other trial attorneys, an investigator and a social worker, and also carry a full case and trial load. I am proud of the conviction rate of 93 percent in cases I have prosecuted.
Police officers serving Oakland County communities are an important part of the team working to protect victims and their families. Police are responsible for the arrest and interrogation of suspects. As part of our partnership with police departments, I am privileged to serve as an instructor at the Oakland County Police Academy, where I teach courses on the laws of arrest and the laws regarding admissions and confessions. I believe strongly in working with police officers to insure their understanding of the law; when police officers respect the rights of defendants, follow the rules of the court and are prepared to testify effectively, it strengthens the ability of our prosecutors to win convictions and keep the community safe.
I have served as a member of the Oakland County Task Force for the Prevention of Child Exploitation, which is working to raise awareness of the alarming prevalence of child pornography, prostitution, molestation and online sexual solicitation in Oakland County and across the United States.
I am a graduate of Leadership Oakland, a one-year program of classes and lectures for citizens who live and work in Oakland County and are in positions of leadership, both at work and in the community. In 2008, I was elected to serve on the board of directors of Leadership Oakland.
My strong commitment to helping children and families has been further realized through my service as a member of the Board of Directors of CareHouse of Oakland County, which addresses the immediate needs of neglected and abused children in our community while reaching out with advocacy and prevention programs aimed at breaking the cycle of abuse and neglect.
My 13 years representing Oakland County citizens have given me a deep understanding of how the courts work. I know how the courts should be run. I know that it is the responsibility of the judge to insure that every hearing and every trial is conducted in manner that is ethical, honorable and impartially. In my years as a prosecuting attorney, I have worked hard to develop a reputation built on these qualities, which are so essential to maintaining the public’s faith in our judicial system.
Thank you for visiting my Website. I appreciate the opportunity to earn your support.
Sincerely,
Robert Giles
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