League of Women Voters of California Education Fund
Santa Clara County, CA March 2, 2004 Election
	Lance Burrow Answers Questions Candidate for Judge - Superior Court; County of Santa Clara; Office 7

The questions were prepared by the Leagues of Women Voters of Santa Clara County and asked of all candidates for this office.

Read the answers from all candidates.

Questions & Answers

1. As a judge, you may be called on to impose sentences for crimes ranging from misdemeanors to homicide. While there are sentencing parameters and guidelines, you will have latitude. What factors and principles/values will affect your decisions?

I will always use the descretion allowed by the law in sentencing. I will consider all factors in aggravation and mitigation. I will consider, the seriousness of the crime, the victim, the age and circumstances of the defendant, the family situation and other relevant matters brought before me. I am not an ideologue and will be fair to all sides.

2. Currently Superior Court supervises the County's Juvenile Probation Department, including the juvenile facilities. Last year serious issues were raised about staffing, practices and services. The Board of Supervisors placed a measure on the ballot that would transfer control of the Probation Department from the Court to the Supervisors. Superior Court judges oppose the measure. What are your views on this issue?

As a citizen, I am more concerned with fixing the problems that necessarily who does it. I question whether the County Supervisors are in any better position to fix the problem that the judges. I tend to believe that the judges are in a better position to continue to supervise the Juvenile Probation Department, but the problems must be addressed.

3. In March 2000 California voters adopted the Juvenile Crime Act which included punitive measures for juvenile offenses and gave prosecutors, rather than judges, the authority to send teenagers to adult court. What is your opinion about how this act is applied in Santa Clara County?

I believe that minors, children if you will, should be treated differently that adults in the criminal justice system. Our system has always recognized that children are redeemable and I do not agree with a different approach. It concerns me that prosecutors, advocates for one side in the system are allowed to decide when and if a child is to be tried as an adult. I would rather see a system where an independent thrid party, a judge, makes the decision after a full hearing on the issue. that being said, I will always follow the law as a judge.