League of Women Voters of California Education Fund
Los Angeles County, CA March 2, 2004 Election
	Hilary Anne Rhonan Answers Questions Candidate for Superior Court Judge; County of Los Angeles; Office 95

Read the answers from all candidates.

Questions & Answers

1. Why are you running for Superior Court Judge?

I believe that a judge's primary and most important responsibility is that of public safety. If there are budgetary issues, then they must be resolved without permitting the release of a felon back into an unsuspecting community. Judges should always be held accountable for their actions. If not, then justice has been replaced by the will of a single judge. That is not only inappropriate, it can and did have fatal consequences, horrific consequences that never needed to happen in the first place. In my job as a prosecutor as well as with this election I am trying to do the right thing. I could not sit idly by while the citizens of Los Angeles County were so abused on May 28, 2003. This is why I am running. Thank you for your support.

2. What are the personal qualities which best equip you to serve as a judge?

Life experiences have taught me the difference between right and wrong. After college, I wasn't sure of my career path, so I've had several different types of jobs. I have driven an 18 wheeler because I wanted to see the county. I got to see places that I never hope to see again. I have been a counselor at a methadone clinic while I was getting my Master's Degree in Psychology. I have worked in numerous hospitals as a Nuclear Medicine Technologist because I discovered that I enjoyed serving people and providing them a moment of human contact while they faced the ravages of cancer. But always in the back of my mind was a career in law. I attended law school at night while working full time. It was hard, but it was the right thing to do. I had found my niche. I have been a Deputy District Attorney for nearly ten years, and it is a job that I love. I get to do the right thing everyday. I try to protect the public everyday by sending dangerous criminals to prison. I believe that I am a fair person, that I can see both sides. I have a sense of humor, and when I make up my mind to do something, I always follow through. My integrity is very important to me, something which I believe is essential to be an effective, hard-working judge. I know that I would be a terific judge because I am not asking the citizens of Los Angeles County to vote for me for personal gain, but to see that justice is restored to the people I would be honored to serve.