|
The questions were prepared by the League of Women Voters of Los Angeles and asked of all candidates for this office.
See below for questions on
Qualifications,
Alternative Sentences for Non-Violent Offenders
Click on a name for candidate information. See also more information about this contest.
 |
1. What specific personal qualities make you especially qualified to be a judge?
|
Answer from Charles M. Calderon:
As a criminal prosecutor, civil litigator, state lawmaker and consumer lawyer, I have dedicated myself to the fair administration of justice. My career has been driven by my commitment to diversity and leadership. For more than 40 years, including my time as Chair of the State Senate Judiciary Committee, I have approached each case and legal argument with discretion, sound judgment and emotional discipline. I hope to bring my extensive legal and legislative background, and passion for the fair and equal administration of the law to this prestigious office.
Answer from Carol Rose:
I have been a civil lawyer for several years, worked as a public defender extern in two agencies, and a prosecutor for most of my career. I acted as a judge pro tem for small claims several years ago. I also have been a victim of crime but also a victim of an inefficient and ineffective court. All these experiences together influence me to be a judge who administers justice all day, does not "shoot from the hip" but researches the law when issues are presented, treats her staff, the lawyers and the litigants with respect and with an even hand. Having tried more than 500 jury trials over 34 years, I have seen it all. I have been in courtrooms that are respectful, fair and scholarly. I have been in courtrooms that start late, end early and the judge does not research the law when needed, nor does the judge actually read the parties' moving papers. My challenge will be to be the kind of judge that has kept me in the trial court for all these years. In many courtrooms, I have enjoyed respect, equal treatment, integrity, efficiency and justice. This is the kind of judge I will emulate.
|
2. Do you favor alternative sentences for non-violent offenders in view of the current prisoner overcrowding problems, and if so, what options should be available?
|
Answer from Charles M. Calderon:
Generally, yes. The principle is worthy and many studies have shown this approach to be more cost effective when compared to how this class of offenders was treated before 2000. However, recent studies also suggest that the new class of offenders may be more likely to be repeat offenders. Perhaps some limited jail time should be imposed for failure to faithfully comply with the terms of probation in relation to the requirements of drug treatment as an incentive.
Answer from Carol Rose:
I strongly favor alternative sentences for non-violent offenders. Violent offenders need to be imprisoned. Unfortunately, our jails and prisons are overcrowded to such an extent that prisoners are being released before they serve their full sentence. It makes much more sense to keep the violent and serious offenders incarcerated for their full appropriate sentence than non-violent offenders. The reality of the overcrowded situation requires that action must be taken to resolve the problems of drug addiction. Most of our property crimes are committed by desperate addicts. If we can work to solve the problems of addiction, we will reduce most of the non-violent criminal conduct. For years we sent addicts to CRC, a prison facility for drug and alcohol addicts who committed felonies. The success rate of CRC was 0% for several years. As a response to the failure of CRC and other programs, Drug Court was instituted. I was ambivalent when it first began but volunteered to staff the first Drug Court in Compton Courthouse. Much to my surprise and relief, Drug Court worked. There are programs that do work. Proposition 36 is successful for many of the addicts. Salvation Army has a relatively successful program but limited beds. These "programs" are essential to reduce addiction and reduce crime. With success in these programs, everyone benefits and the community is better protected. Funding should be a priority for the programs that are proven to be effective.
Responses to questions asked of each candidate
are reproduced as submitted to the League.
Candidates' answers are presented as submitted.
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
