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LWV League of Women Voters of California Education Fund

Smart Voter
Los Angeles County, CA June 3, 2008 Election
Candidates Answer Questions on the Issues
Judge, Superior Court; County of Los Angeles; Office 154


The questions were prepared by the the League of Women Voters of Los Angeles County and asked of all candidates for this office.     See below for questions on Qualifications, Reason for Running, Experiences and Personal Qualities

Click on a name for candidate information.   See also more information about this contest.


1. Please provide a brief list of your qualifications in bullet format, using an asterisk (*) to represent a bullet. (No more than 25 words for this section.)

Answer from Paul "Pablo" Bruguera:

  • 9 years as a California Deputy Attorney-General.
  • Experienced litigator for 26 years.
  • Father of 2 girls.
  • First Generation American.
  • Hispanic.
  • Elder, Presbyterian Church USA.

Answer from Michael V. Jesic:

  • Deputy District Attorney 12 years
  • Hardcore Gang Prosecutor 6 ½ years
  • 96% Jury Trial Conviction Rate
  • Handled Complex Special Circumstance Murders and
Hundreds of Violent Felonies.

Answer from Rocky L. Crabb:

  • Occupation: Elected by the Judges of the Los Angeles Superior Court to the position of LOS ANGELES SUPERIOR COURT COMMISSIONER in November, 2005.
  • Rated "WELL QUALIFIED", by the Los Angeles County Bar Association: ".... indicative of a superior fitness to perform the judicial function with a high degree of skill and effectiveness."
  • Commissioner Crabb has presided as a JUDGE by stipulation of the litigants and their attorneys in over 7,300 hearings and trials.
  • Prior to taking the bench, Commissioner Crabb had 25 years of experience as an attorney representing clients in the broad range of legal matters including Civil, Criminal (misdemeanors and felonies), Consumer Law, Complex Business Litigation, trial litigation, and appeals.


2. Why are you running for Superior Court judge? (No more than 75 words total for questions 2 and 3.)

Answer from Paul "Pablo" Bruguera:

Judges should follow the law because the courts play an important role in our society.

I will follow the law, and fairly and efficiently administer justice.

Answer from Rocky L. Crabb:

I currently serve the Citizens of Los Angeles County sitting as a Superior Court Commissioner. After 25 years as an attorney, I was elected to this position by the Superior Court Judges. Everyday I do essentially a Judge's work.

As a Commissioner for well over 2 years now, I have established a reputation for fairness, knowledge, patience, hard work, and excellence among my fellow judges and commissioners, as well as the attorneys and parties who appear before me every day. I am humbled by the opportunity to serve our community each day, and look forward to further service for many many years to come.

Answer from Michael V. Jesic:

After being a prosecutor for 12 years, I want to continue my public service at the next level. I want to ensure that every person who comes to court gets the justice they deserve.


3. What experiences and personal qualities best equip you to serve as judge? (No more than 75 words total for questions 2 and 3.)

Answer from Paul "Pablo" Bruguera:

My 26 years of experience as a litigator enables me to fairly and efficiently handle cases. I have been married for 25 years to Los Angeles Superior Court Judge Soussan Bruguera who has taught me plenty about being a judge over her 19 years of experience on the bench.

Answer from Michael V. Jesic:

Spending 6½ years as a Hardcore Gang prosecutor, I handled the most complex cases in the criminal justice system. I have spent almost every day of the past 12 years in court dealing with every conceivable issue that arises in our justice system.

Answer from Rocky L. Crabb:

Our Judges describe me as: "An outstanding bench officer"; "Exceptionally well qualified"; "Fair, knowledgeable, hard-working and efficient"; "Bright, intellectually honest"; "Known for his objectivity, patience, and fairness." I am honored by these comments of the Judges of the Los Angeles County Superior Court.

Our Law Enforcement Community, including Sheriff Lee Baca, and the Los Angeles County Police Chief's Association representing 46 City Police Departments, and many Police Officer's Associations have endorsed me, and I am privileged to have their support.

Every day among my other duties, I issue orders from the bench under the Domestic Violence Prevention Act, that protect children, spouses, partners, family members, and other victims of domestic violence. I feel fortunate to be able to help and protect those in need of protection.


Responses to questions asked of each candidate are reproduced as submitted to the League.  Until 5:00 p.m. on April 4, 2008, candidates for Superior Court Judge must limit their answers to 100 words total for all questions so that a paper Voters Guide may be published. Specific word limits are as follows: 25 words for question 1; 75 words total for questions 2 and 3. After 5:00 p.m. on April 4, 2008, word limits will no longer apply.

The order of the candidates is random and changes daily. Candidates who did not respond are not listed on this page.


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Created: July 31, 2008 13:32 PDT
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