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<p>SHAVERTOWN &#8212; If elected to district judge, attorney Gary Michak would dispel a misconception that Luzerne County legal case outcomes are predetermined by &#8220;who you know.&#8221;</p><p>&#8220;I want to work to change the perception of Luzerne County&#8217;s court system,&#8221; Michak said. &#8220;I want to create a level playing field.&#8221;</p><p>The 56-year-old is campaigning against attorney Thomas Mosca and Brian Tupper to replace retiring District Judge James E. Tupper (11-3-09). The primary election is May 16. Michak will cross file, as will Mosca and Tupper.</p><p>To prevent people from becoming repeat offenders, the Harveys Lake resident would use existing programs to get people the help they need.</p><p>Programs such as Mental Health, Drug and Veterans courts can connect those charged with a crime with rehabilitation professionals, he said.</p><p>For example, Veterans Court is designed to help military personnel charged with non-violent crimes receive aid to overcome mental illness, drug addiction and other related issues, he said.</p><p>If elected, Michak will develop outreach programs to inform organizations about programs available to reduce crime, he said.</p><p>The Wyoming Valley West alumnus will incorporate the focus he developed from years of practicing martial arts. Michak has earned a black belt in karate.</p><p>Michak opened his first karate school in Plymouth when he was 16 years old. At one point, he owned five martial arts schools and a yoga studio.</p><p>He graduated with a double major in Business Administration and Government from King&#8217;s College in 1984.</p><p>In 1986, Michak earned a Masters in Business Administration in International Business and Marketing from Penn State University&#8217;s main campus.</p><p>The Plymouth native received a Juris Doctorate from the University of Miami College of Law in 1994. He also participated in a study abroad program where he studied at the University College of London School of Law.</p><p>He worked for Chrysler Motors in Detroit; Zenith Electronics in Mexico; Johnson Controls, Mexic&#8217; and Flextronics International, Stockholm, Sweden and Boulder, Co.</p><p>In 2004, Michak opened a private law practice in Shavertown.</p><p>He resides with his wife, Courtney Burgess-Michak; daughter, Ariana, and son, Thomas.</p><style>
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<div class="metaInfo"><bylineMeta><p>By Eileen Godin</p><p>egodin@www.timesleader.com</p></bylineMeta></div><div class="metaInfo"><factboxMeta><p><strong>District Judge (11-03-09) candidate</strong></p><p><strong>Name: </strong>Gary Michak</p><p><strong>Age: </strong>56</p><p><strong>Town: </strong>Harveys Lake</p><p><strong>Family: </strong>Courtney Burgess-Michak, wife; Ariana, daughter; Thomas, son</p></factboxMeta></div><div class="metaInfo"><shirttailMeta><p>Reach Eileen Godin at 570-991-6387 or on Twitter @TLNews.</p></shirttailMeta></div>

Meet the candidate: Gary Michak for District Judge