Candidate for
Superior Court Judge; County of Orange; Office 14

With strong support from Orange County law enforcement, prosecutors and judges, I am running for Superior Court Judge. As an Assistant District Attorney with over twenty years' experience prosecuting Homicide, Gang and Sexual Assault cases, I have worked hard to protect our community from violent criminals and secure justice for crime victims. My education and training have allowed me to be an effective and ethical advocate for the people of Orange County. I would like to continue to serve the people of our community as a Superior Court Judge.

Orange County's top law enforcement officials, Sheriff Sandra Hutchens and District Attorney Tony Rackauckas have endorsed my candidacy. They recognize that I have the strong sense of fairness, broad legal knowledge and sound judgment needed to be a tough but even-handed Superior Court Judge.

As a veteran Homicide Prosecutor and recipient of the Outstanding Prosecutor Award from the Association of Orange County Deputy District Attorneys, I know first hand how important it is for judges to know and follow the law, and protect not only the rights of the accused, ensuring that they have a fair trial, but also the rights of crime victims and their families, protecting them from harassment and abuse throughout the criminal justice process.

Having successfully fought for life sentences for criminal street gang members, I also know that when necessary judges must be tough in dealing with violent criminals in order to keep our community safe.

As the Assistant District Attorney in charge of the Juvenile Court branch of the District Attorney's Office, I believe that judges must give juvenile offenders the guidance they need to become law abiding adults, but must also ensure that they are held accountable for their actions in a way that ensures public safety.

I believe that a judge must have the intellectual ability and academic background to understand the law and a willingness to follow it, regardless of his or her own personal views. I think a judge must have the ability to listen patiently and impartially to both sides of a dispute and make a fair and just decision without regard to political considerations or public opinion. I also believe that a judge must ensure that everyone in the courtroom is treated with respect; including crime victims, witnesses, jurors, litigants and attorneys.