League of Women Voters of California Education Fund
Santa Clara County, CA November 4, 2008 Election
	Lane Liroff Answers Questions Candidate for Judge - Superior Court; County of Santa Clara; Office 8

The questions were prepared by the Leagues of Women Voters of Santa Clara County and asked of all candidates for this office.
Read the answers from all candidates (who have responded).

Questions & Answers

1. As a judge, you may be called on to impose sentences for crimes ranging from misdemeanors to homicide. While there are sentencing parameters and guidelines, you will have latitude. What factors and principles/values will affect your decisions?

Public safety will always be utmost in any decision I will make as a judge to sentence a criminal. Otherwise, I am interested in sentencing alternatives which help rehabilitate offenders. I believe that punishment which does not prevent future crimes is costly and unwise.

2. Please describe your experience in civil and criminal cases.

In both state and federal courts I have successfuly tried civil and criminal cases, litigated significant pre-trial motions, and argued cases in the appellate courts.

For the last twenty-five years my focus has been the prosecution of complex criminal cases, against the most dangerous crimals. I have tried over 110 jury trials--including 40 homicide jury trials. My prosecutions include a cop killer, witness killings, child killers and sexual predators. I helped convict killers who belonged to organizations which perpetrated hate crimes against minorities.

At the same time I contributed to the legal profession by helping author seven books on criminal law, ethics and trial procedures.

I was a law school professor for 18 years and currently I am on the adjunct faculty at San Jose State University where I have taught law enforcement officers for 15 years.

I was recruited to work for the Justice Department as a consultant to Attorney General Janet Reno regarding the prosecution of federal murder cases.

3. Would you propose any changes to assure that there is no appearance of bias in the courtroom including, but not limited to, bias based on disability, gender identity, age, race, religion, ethnicity, or sexual orientation?

I pledge to be be fair and unbiased. I will always strive to know the law and listen to those who appear before me. Everyone will be treated with dignity and respect. Cases should be decided based on the evidence and the law.

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Responses to questions asked of each candidate are reproduced as submitted to the League.  Candidates' responses are not edited or corrected by the League.

Read the answers from all candidates (who have responded).

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Created from information supplied by the candidate: November 4, 2008 15:02
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