My name is Michael C. Howard, and I want to be your next Columbia
County Court Judge.
I was born and raised in Columbia County. I attended Hudson High
School, Davidson College, and Brooklyn Law School, where I was selected
to be on the Journal of International Law. I have had my own law office
since 1992, and I have worked for the Public Defender’s office since 1996.
For the past ten years, I have been the First Assistant Public Defender. I
care about the people in my community.
I have spent my career representing the underprivileged and downtrodden,
and provided them with hope and guidance. Since 1996, I have personally
defended over 14,535 criminal cases for the Public Defender’s Office in
Columbia County. At my private office, I have personally represented over
3,000 criminal clients and over 700 civil cases. I have tried at least 35 jury
cases to verdict.
In 2012, I received the Wilfred R. O’Connor Award, which is given annually
by the New York State Defenders Association to the New York State
defense attorney who exemplifies the client-centered sense of justice,
persistence and compassion that characterized Wilfred R. O’Connor’s life.
I have demonstrated a lifetime of obtaining results that enable my clients to
use their second chance to thrive and live their lives as productive
members of our society. I have and hold democratic values.
My vision for the future of our Columbia County Court system includes:

1) expanding substance abuse treatment court, 2) establishing a mental
health court, 3) creating a veteran’s court, and 4) instituting a youth court to
address young people’s needs. Every person who appears before me will
be treated fairly, respectfully and with dignity.
I am 57 years old, my wife, Lynn, and I have been married for 28 years
and we reside in the Town of Claverack. I have three sons, who are 23, 20
and 18 years old.
I respectfully ask, and sincerely thank you, for your support.