League of Women Voters of California Education Fund
	Los Angeles County, CA November 4, 2014 Election
	Candidates Answer Questions on the Issues Judge of the Superior Court; County of Los Angeles; Office 61

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, Length of Sentences 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 Jacqueline H. Lewis: Judicial Experience Matters! I have been a sitting judicial officer for the last 17 years. I have presided over more than 10,000 trials I am fair, through and decisive. I am able to handle heavy calendars while still allowing people to be heard. I am the only candidate running that the Los Angeles County Bar Association rated "Exceptionally Well Qualified". The LA Times endorsed me and said that I stood out as "hands-down best of the class". Answer from Dayan Mathai: As a GANG HOMICIDE PROSECUTOR, I have tried over 100 felony jury trials, and 30 COMPLEX GANG MURDER CASES, as well as domestic violence and child molestation cases. I will balance this extensive court experience with my upbringing as a child of immigrants, taught to VALUE THE RIGHTS AND DIGNITY OF ALL PEOPLE. 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 Jacqueline H. Lewis: As a sitting judicial officer, The Canon of Judicial Ethics prohibits me from commenting on issues that might come before me as a judge. I can say, however, that I have seen some types of alternative sentencing such as drug programs be effective in helping some people to turn their lives around. In addition, see my ideas on this issue in the Political Philosophy section. 3. How much flexibility should judges have in determining the length of sentences? (No candidates submitted answers to this question) 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.