Los Angeles, CA — This November, Los Angeles voters will take to the polls to elect five judges to the Los Angeles Superior Court, selecting from a field of ten candidates who advanced from the March primary elections. The judges elected will serve six-year terms in offices numbered 39, 48, 97, 135, and 137. These elections are critical as Superior Court judges handle a wide range of legal matters including criminal, civil, and family cases.
Campaigns for Superior Court positions tend to be less visible than those for other offices, due to fewer resources and the nonpartisan nature of these races. As such, the Los Angeles County Bar Association’s Judicial Elections Evaluation Committee plays a pivotal role by assessing and rating candidates to help inform voters. Ratings span from “not qualified” to “exceptionally well-qualified,” and they provide a crucial glimpse into a candidate’s readiness for the bench, as noted by Diane Birnholz, a UCLA School of Law lecturer.
Adding to the electoral complexity, Senate Bill 235, passed in 2017, prohibits candidates from enhancing their ballot descriptions. This regulation aims to ensure a level playing field by focusing on the candidates’ qualifications rather than their job descriptions.
Among the noteworthy candidates is George Turner Jr., a deputy public defender vying for Office No. 39, who is motivated by recent changes in mass incarceration laws and their disproportionate impact on people of color. Turner’s career began in a public defender’s office, an experience that propelled him through law school motivated by a desire to serve his community.
In the same race, Steve Napolitano, a former mayor and councilmember of Manhattan Beach, brings a promise to foster respect and enhance legal resources in the courtroom. Although he declined to comment further, his official qualifications and campaign pledges are available for voter consideration.
Ericka Wiley, running for Office No. 48, brings experience from the public defender’s office and emphasizes the importance of considering underlying circumstances in legal judgments rather than defaulting to incarceration.
Her opponent, Renee Rose, a deputy district attorney with a focus on protecting crime victims and managing the Elder Abuse Unit, advocates for judicial responsibility and the protection of vulnerable populations.
The race for Office No. 97 features Sharon Ransom, who stresses the importance of diversity on the bench, and La Shae Henderson, aiming to address judicial inequalities and combat prejudice.
Candidates for Office No. 135 include Steven Yee Mac, who brings a unique perspective as a military reserve lieutenant colonel and a deputy district attorney, and Georgia Huerta, who emphasizes the ongoing necessity for judges to engage in lifelong learning to effectively serve the evolving community.
Finally, for Office No. 137, Luz Herrera, acclaimed for her work in community-based legal services, seeks to make the courts more effective and accessible, while Tracey Blount, with extensive experience in dependency court, highlights the unique functions of specialized courts in tailoring justice.
As Los Angeles residents prepare to cast their votes, these elections underline the importance of judicial roles in affecting local justice outcomes. Voters are encouraged to consider the comprehensive evaluations provided by the Bar Association and the diverse backgrounds and platforms of each candidate.
This article was automatically written by Open AI. The individuals, facts, circumstances, and narrative mentioned may not be entirely accurate. Errors or requests for article removal or correction can be directed to [email protected].