Candidate for
Judge of the Superior Court; County of Sacramento; Office 1

As a Sacramento native, my family and I have benefited from living in a safe, prosperous community. My career of public service, including 14 years with the Sacramento Police Department and 15 years with the District Attorney's Office, has been dedicated to the service and protection of Sacramento.

My professional experience and community involvement uniquely qualifies me as a candidate for a seat on the Sacramento Superior Court. Because of my extensive background in handling complex and sensitive cases, I have developed the knowledge to fairly and compassionately apply the law and achieve justice for the Sacramento community.

I began my law enforcement career as an officer for the Sacramento Police Department in 1970. In 1974 I was promoted to detective. I worked in the Crime Suppression Unit, the Robbery Division and the Homicide/Assaults Division.

During those assignments, I investigated cases involving murder, kidnapping, sexual assault, robbery and the attempted assassination of President Gerald Ford.

While on special assignment to the District Attorney's Office, I became interested in pursuing a career in law. I entered McGeorge School of Law and completed my studies in 1982 while continuing my work as a detective.

In 1984, I was hired as a Deputy District Attorney, and assigned to prosecution units including the Felony Bureau, Juvenile Center, and Career Criminal Division.

As a Senior Deputy District Attorney in the Major Narcotics Division, I was also designated as a Special Assistant U.S. Attorney assigned to prosecute federal cases involving major illegal drug distributors.

While assigned to the Homicide Division, I prosecuted the "Good Guys" case, which involved armed youths entering a Good Guys electronics store in Sacramento and taking 39 people hostage. Three hostages were killed and ten others wounded.

This capital case took eight months to prosecute in San Francisco after a change of venue. The case significantly broadened my experience base, requiring extensive pretrial litigation, research, and the coordination of testimony from over 100 defense and prosecution witnesses.

The trial deepened my understanding of the important role judges play in achieving justice in lengthy, complex cases.

As a Supervising Deputy District Attorney, I was the division leader in the Felony Bureau. As the District Attorney's designee for "strike" case dispositions, I was responsible for determining which cases should proceed with the two or three strike enhancements. This involved balancing the implementation of the law and compassion in order to achieve justice.

I am presently the Supervising Deputy District Attorney in the Domestic Violence Division. In addition to the prosecution of domestic violence crimes, I am responsible for maintaining cooperative relationships with agencies participating in federal and state grants to reduce violence against women.

Such agencies include the Sacramento Superior Court, the Sacramento Probation Department, WEAVE and other community outreach providers. The Domestic Violence Unit prosecutes cases involving murder, assault, stalking, and violations of restraining orders that take place in family relationships.

In this position, I have worked closely with court administrators, judges, probation officers and community leaders. I have developed a deep understanding of the inner workings of the court and its relationship with the community.

I have been entrusted with the responsibility of being the lead trial prosecutor in over 60 felony jury trials, including murders and death penalty cases. I've conducted several hundred evidentiary hearings and reviewed over 5,000 cases.

My dedication and commitment to fairness, coupled with law enforcement experience, uniquely qualifies me as a candidate for the Superior Court.