Candidate for
Judge of the Superior Court; County of Los Angeles; Office 97

I have always had an optimistic outlook on life. Even though I faced many challenges growing up, I always believed that all things worked together for good. It took a lot of faith, resilience and creativity to overcome my early obstacles. Through perseverance and hard work, I not only put myself through college but excelled. I worked in banking after graduating undergrad. After working a bit and considering law school options, I chose UCLA School of Law because I knew I wanted to be part of a public institution in Los Angeles, where I was born and raised. I knew I wanted to live out my values and focus on justice with a career in public service.

Our justice system today has fewer court resources, less jail space and increasingly complex litigation. We need judges who not only come to the job with deep passion and commitment but who also have a wide range of experience and the know-how to accomplish more with fewer resources. I am running for Judge because I have both the drive and the experience. I want the opportunity to serve justice while making our system more efficient and equitable.



My career has been defined by "out of the box" thinking. I have not only been a prosecutor with a proven commitment to public safety, but I also have created programs that seek to relieve the burden on the courts, reduce recidivism and address community safety in a better way. This fits perfectly with what our courts need. As the former presiding LA Superior Court Judge Charles McCoy said, "Necessity now demands reinvention. We cannot fulfill our core mission...without rethinking how the court system operates at every level." 

I am the only candidate in my race that has conducted and taught mediation and dealt with the complexity of creating, finding funding and running different types of programs-whether helping veterans or local businesses. At each step of the way, I have gained wide reaching support from law enforcement and government officials as well as large firms, non-profits and community members.

Los Angeles Police Chief Charlie Beck had this to say about me: "The meticulous and innovative effort put forth by Assistant Supervising City Attorney Songhai Miguda-Armstead- has resulted in breakthrough programs, not only incredible Community-based policing, but "community-based government" efforts. Songhai Miguda-Armstead's untiring efforts and dedication to the SCI's mission has literally been responsible for saving individual lives. For her outstanding collaborative efforts, commitment, and relentless perseverance in creating a safer community within Skid Row, she is undoubtedly deserving of the Department's Police Commission Distinguished Service Medal."

Good judges need a whole range of tools at their disposal to carry out the law, protect the public and rule justly. I want to be a Judge so that I can apply my diverse experiences, gathered both through my life and in my career and truly serve the people of Los Angeles County.