League of Women Voters of California Education Fund
Orange County, CA June 3, 2008 Election
	Jon Fish Answers Questions Candidate for Superior Court Judge; County of Orange; Office 8

The questions were prepared by the League of Women Voters of Orange County and asked of all candidates for this office.
Read the answers from all candidates (who have responded).

Questions & Answers

1. Around the country, we've heard people stress the importance of "a fair and impartial judiciary," How would you define a fair and impartial judge and how would you work to ensure your impartiality?

I will be a fair and impartial judge because for years, as a career prosecutor, I have shared the responsibilities of a Superior Court Judge. My first duty is to the Constitutions of the United States and California, I am also duty-bound to protect the rights of the defendant whom I am prosecuting. I am the voice of the executive branch of the government in the courts and in my career I have made life and death decisions on murderers and similarly tough decisions regarding juveniles. The Appellate Courts have never overturned my convictions. I am backed by civil lawyers, Asembly Members and Senators, Superior Court Judges, law enforcement, victims' rights groups and those on the side of the defense which is a testament to the fact that people in every area of the justice system trust me to be a fair and impartial judge.

2. Judges have an obligation to improve public understanding of the role of courts. How should they carry out that obligation?

A solid understanding of our judiciary starts with the interaction that a judge has with the jurors in our jury system. Our jurors are the backbone of our justice system, and I believe that their convenience and their schedules should be heavily considered when chosing them for service. Part of that selection should include stressing to these citizens (who want to do their civic duty--though their busy lives make it difficult) just how important their role, and therefore the role of the courts, is to our fair and democratic society.

3. How do you deal with difficult people, including peers, lawyers, clients or litigants?

As a professional in the contentious business of law, I learned long ago to deal with unprofessional bahavior in a professional way. I am rational and calm.

As a Deputy District Attorney I have had to deal with unethical litigants unwilling witnesses and violent defendants who have threatened my life. I deal with them in a calm and professional way.

As a judge I will be rational, professional and calm in my dealingd with everyone. Everyone deserves to be treated with respect. In our legal system, no one is superior to another, although we all have different roles within it.

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Responses to questions asked of each candidate are reproduced as submitted to the League.  Direct references to opponents are not permitted.

Read the answers from all candidates (who have responded).

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Created from information supplied by the candidate: May 22, 2008 21:15
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