|
The questions were prepared by 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 Randy Hammock:
- Judicial Officer, Los Angeles Superior Court. (2007 to present)
- Hearing/deciding cases involving severe physical, emotional and/or sexual abuse of children by parent(s).
Answer from Chris Garcia:
- Criminal Prosecutor
- JD, Harvard Law School
- BA. University of California at Berkeley
- 11 years Criminal Prosecution
- 13 years Civil Litigation
- Adjunct Professor of Law
Answer from Kendall C. "Ken" Reed:
- Experienced with Civil litigation
- Acted as lead arbitrator in arbitration hearings
- Resolved many litigated cases as mediator
- Educated in Civil Alternative Dispute Resolution Systems Design
Answer from Mark K. Ameli:
- 30 years of Litigation experience
- 15 years of experience as arbitrator, mediator and temporary Judge
- Experience in cross cultural mediation and negotiation
Answer from Elizabeth Moreno:
- Presided over 500 cases as Arbitrator, Administrative Hearing Officer or Mediator
- Litigated over 1000 and tried Civil Cases
- Tried Criminal Cases for LA City Attorney
Answer from Edward J. Nison:
- criminal prosecutor 24yrs.
- prosecuted over 100 gang murderers
- prosecuted environmental polluters
- helped pass laws to make workplaces safer
- trains prosecutors and law enforcement
Answer from C. Edward Mack:
- Occupation: 20 years as Deputy Public Defender
- Tried 120 Criminal Jury Trials, including 15 life cases, 38 strike and serious or violent felony trials
Answer from Kim E. Smith:
- 20 years prosecutorial experience
- 120 criminal jury trials
- Experienced in homicide, arson, 3-strikes, gang, and
multiple jury trials.
|
2. Why are you running for Superior Court Judge? (No more than 75 words total for questions 2 and 3.)
|
Answer from Mark K. Ameli:
As a judge, I will receive a cut in pay. However, this is my way of serving my country and the community that has given me so much throughout my life and career.
Answer from Edward J. Nison:
To improve the criminal justice system. The system needs to do a better job of identifying at risk youth and provide intervention before they become violent criminals. And the courts need to treat victims of crime with greater respect.
Answer from Randy Hammock:
To continue my service in the Dependency Court in protecting children from abuse, and assisting the parents and families of Los Angeles County in resolving these issues.
Answer from Chris Garcia:
I believe in the rule of law and have a strong desire to serve our community. My life experiences and personal background qualifies me as judge who will understand the intricacies of an ethnically and culturally diverse community like Los Angeles.
Answer from Kendall C. "Ken" Reed:
I would like to make my passion my business. I would like to do what I can to ensure that justice and fairness are done. I would like to see that disputes and controversies are brought to an efficient and rational end. And I would like to serve my community, people who must stand before the law, and all people involved in the judicial system.
Answer from Kim E. Smith:
With 30 years experience at all levels of the criminal justice system and a reputation for fairness among judges, police officers and the criminal defense bar, I am well qualified to adjudicate cases in a manner the public deserves.
Answer from C. Edward Mack:
To provide equal access to justice for all litigants, no matter what background while safeguarding rights under the Federal and State Constitutions.
Answer from Elizabeth Moreno:
As the only woman candidate a have a broad and indepth experience with criminal and civil trials and cases, I would bring a broad perspective to the bench and ensure fair access for all.
|
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 Elizabeth Moreno:
I am conscientious, attentive to detail, thorough in research, appropriately forceful but pleasant, ethical and passionate about issues of fairness and access to justice. I have been a civil and criminal trial attorney for 25 years. Currently I use that experience to sit as an arbitrator and mediator.
Answer from Kim E. Smith:
120 criminal jury trials and prosecutions; 25 years experience as a sworn police officer; and, a reputation among the criminal defense bar for hard work and integrity equip me for the job.
Answer from Edward J. Nison:
Prosecuting serious and violent crimes has given me a prespective on how the system can prevent minor offender from graduating to violent criminals. I also understand how violent crimes impact victims and their families.
Answer from C. Edward Mack:
My honesty, integrity and my respectful relationship with judges, attorneys, courtroom staff and litigants. Experienced handling high volumes of cases. I will run my courtroom with expediency and dignity, while interpreting the law, weighing equities and listening to both sides, be thoroughly prepared and be considerate of the courtroom staff, lawyers and jurors.
Answer from Kendall C. "Ken" Reed:
My personal qualities include a strong sense and desire for fairness, a thoughtful approach to decision making, a dedication to the task at hand, and a tendency for independence.
My experience includes acting as arbitrator and mediator. As an arbitrator, I decide cases that involve claims of breach of contract, fraud, the right to use domain names, etc. As a mediator, I have assisted many people involved in litigation to resolve their disputes without trial.
Answer from Chris Garcia:
I have experience in both civil and criminal law as well as in teaching law. I have acted as a mediator/arbitrator and temporary judge.
Answer from Randy Hammock:
Since 2007, I have been essentially doing the day-to-day job as a judge in my capacity as a Superior Court Referee in the Dependency Court, and moreover, I am currently assigned "for all purposes" to this particular judicial seat. I am dedicated, hard-working, reasonable and fair.
Answer from Mark K. Ameli:
I have the requisite judicial temperament to serve as a judge. I am decisive, fair, impartial, compassionate, and free from bias. According American Bar Association these are the characteristics that comprise judicial temperament.
Responses to questions asked of each candidate
are reproduced as submitted to the League.
Until 5:00 p.m. on April 5, 2010,
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 5, 2010, 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.
| 
League of Women Voters of California Education Fund
