League of Women Voters of California Education Fund
Los Angeles County, CA November 2, 2004 Election
	Donna Groman Answers Questions Candidate for Superior Court Judge; County of Los Angeles; Office 69

Read the answers from all candidates.

Questions & Answers

1. Why are you running for Superior Court Judge?

My name is Donna Groman, and I am running for Superior Court Judge, Office #69. For the past seven years, I have served as a Superior Court Commissioner and Referee, serving the same functions as a judge. In my 24 years as an attorney, an advocate, and a bench officer, I have worked in many different areas in the judicial system. As a bench officer, I have overseen juvenile dependency, juvenile delinquency, misdemeanor jury trials, small claims court, family law and traffic matters. As a lawyer, I specialized in child custody matters.

For the past year I have presided over the arraignment master calendar, hearing approximately 120 cases each day.

I strive to apply the law in an even-handed manner, conscientiously, objectively, and fairly. I believe these are the foremost qualities of a judge, and I believe my independence and experience makes me the best-qualified candidate for Superior Court Judge in office #69.

I am running for Superior Court Judge so that I can take a more active role in the leadership and organizational structure of the court, to make it more efficient and responsive for everyone.

2. What are the personal qualities which best equip you to serve as a judge?

I am the best-qualified candidate for Superior Court Judge in my race. While the other candidates are all experienced attorneys, I have seven years as a judicial officer, hearing and deciding cases, presiding over jury trials, and issuing sentences. This experience makes me the best-qualified candidate in this race.

I have served the legal profession for 24 years, 17 years as a lawyer and 7 on the bench as a Superior Court Commissioner and Referee. As a judicial officer, I have mastered each of my assignments, receiving praise from each of my supervising judges. Being a good judge is more than just locking up criminals -- a judge is a public servant and must treat all who come before him or her with dignity, respect, patience and fairness. There is no way to tell in advance whether a person would make a good judge until he or she is actually tested in a courtroom environment. My abilities on the bench are proven. My ability to mete out appropriate consequences for certain actions has been demonstrated as well as my ability to conduct myself in an appropriate manner.

Moreover, as a judicial officer, I have been actively involved in the community the court serves. I take advantage of whatever public speaking engagements are offered to us, such as speaking at schools or lecturing community groups. I maintain contact with community agencies that serve our court's population and I am open to accommodating their needs.