|
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,
Priorities,
Training of Prosecutors
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 Steve Ipsen:
- County Criminal Prosecutor (20+ years)
- “Jessica’s Law” Ballot Signator
- Co-Wrote “Victims Bill of Rights”
- Endorsed by “Crime Victims United”
- President, Association of Deputy District Attorneys
Answer from Albert Robles:
- Only candidate with Juris Doctorate Degree and Master's Degree in Public Administration
- ONLY candidate with professional experiences in BOTH Private and Public Sector, including 16 years as an elected official
- ONLY DEMOCRATIC CANDIDATE
Answer from Steve Cooley:
- Prosecutor for over 34 years
- Reshaped and revitalized DA's office
- Law enforcement partner in fighting gangs
- Created Public Integrity and Justice System Integrity Divisions
- Believes in fair and proportional Three Strike Sentencing
- Leader in use of DNA and high tech tools to catch criminals
|
2. What are your priorities for the operation of the District Attorney’s office? (No more than 150 words total for questions 2 and 3.)
|
Answer from Albert Robles:
Restore funding to child abuse unit and prosecute ALL child abuse cases - including the school administrators and church officials who cover-up the abuses or merely re-assign the offender and turn a blind eye to this most heinous of crimes
Restore funding to environmental task force and prosecute environmental polluters who violate California's environmental laws to ensure a safe and healthy environment for ALL residents of LA County
Tackle gun/gang violence with aggressive prosecution and neighborhood crime prevention taskforce with a local deputy district attorney
Restore funding to Senior Citizen Task force and prosecute ALL elder abuse issues
Answer from Steve Cooley:
Steve Cooley is a nonpartisan prosecutor committed to representing all the people. He will work with the U.S. Attorney's Office to fight transnational gangs; implement anti-graffiti program to deter and prosecute graffiti crimes; create and innovative program to prosecute and prevent animal cruelty; expand the High Tech Division to fight growing problem of identity theft crime.
Answer from Steve Ipsen:
Paris Hilton’s much publicized early release after serving only 3 days of her 45 day sentence was not an exception, it has been the rule in LA county for years. Perpetrators of child abuse, domestic violence, elder abuse, gang and other dangerous offenses have been quietly released after only a few days avoiding punishment. These offenses must receive actual punishment, or else our crime rate will continue to rise. Wasted resources like investigators currently assigned to the DA’s personal entourage, or to personnel matters will be assigned to track sex offenders, assist in unsolved homicides, and enforcement of court ordered restraining orders.
|
3. What training is or should be required for new attorneys to equip them to be effective prosecutors? (No more than 150 words total for questions 2 and 3.)
|
Answer from Steve Cooley:
The DA's Office has the most advanced and intensive four-week training program for new prosecutors, including ethics. This program is enhanced by the new Criminal Justice Institute for prosecutors and law enforcement professionals in Los Angeles County to promote and teach best practices in criminal investigation and prosecution.
Answer from Albert Robles:
New attorneys should understand that the role of the District Attorney's Office is TO BE A CHAMPION OF THE PEOPLE, DEFENDER OF THE TRUTH, and GUARDIAN OF OUR MOST FUNDAMENTAL RIGHTS OF LIFE, LIBERTY AND EQUAL JUSTICE FOR ALL.
Answer from Steve Ipsen:
Prosecutors in my office will receive intense ethics and victim sensitivity training before setting foot in a courtroom. A “Duke rape” type abuse and politically motivated prosecutions are unacceptable. Victims must be treated with respect and understanding. Prosecutors will be trained to relentlessly prosecute the guilty, and refuse to prosecute those falsely accused.
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 District Attorney must limit their answers to 175 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; 150
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.
| 
League of Women Voters of California Education Fund
