Candidate for
Judge of the Superior Court; County of Riverside; Office 18

The role of a superior court judge affects our lives and communities in many ways.

A judge should come from a background of community involvement. With an understanding of the needs of the community and the role of the courts. Without the appearance of bias towards special interests, government officials, or private attorneys. Everyone should be treated the same and feel confident that the Judge who hears their case does so without bias, beholding to no one.

I have laid out a short statement on some basic philosophy and but more importantly, some action items that can be taken quickly in my court should you elect me on June 3rd.

Civil and related courts

Philosophy:

People want their disputes resolved quickly. They want easier access to the courts and clearer understanding about how to access the system. Alternative Dispute Resolution, already employed in our courts , can and should be quickly expanded to meet the demand of the public. This will reduce court congestion and allow courts to focus on those cases that truly cannot be resolved by any other means except trial.

Action Items:

less "continuances"

more alternative dispute resolution

More Civil Mediation as an alternative to court
(These can be operated in conferences rooms with volunteer
panels)

More accessible, user friendly court houses
More "culturally competent" for access and use by all our diverse
cultures.

Criminal Courts

Philosophy:

Our criminal courts are congested. Judges delay cases. Attorneys appear late to court. Prosecutors and Public Defenders, on time and ready to work, are often met with delays. This wastes tax payor's money and in the end results in less safe communities. When the police and sheriff do their job, the courts MUST do their job and move cases thru the system for final adjudication.

Action Items

Concentrate on Serious or Violent Crimes

Reduce delays and congestion in our criminal courts

Attorneys file papers on time, unless justified excuse

Attorneys to appear on time, unless justified excuse

Non serious criminal cases can be transferred to "volunteer
panels" called alternative courts. These are held in conference
rooms to save money

Veterans Court
Homeless Court
Mental Health Court

Treat "prison cases" seriously.

When inmates commit crimes in our prisons, too often judges fail to take the charges seriously because they feel the defendant is already in prison serving another sentence. Delaying such "prison cases" can endanger our prison guards, civilian prison employees and other inmates from violent inmates who commit crimes while in prison. We have several local prisons in our county. Judges must take prison cases seriously and handle these cases expeditiously.

Generally, more forums to increase public awareness of the legal system. Safer communities through more efficient courts. Save tax payor money from government waste.

Outreach to all segments of our community. Our courts can also be more culturally competent, to accommodate the diversity in our county. Many segments of our society feel overlooked or marginalized, unable to gain equal access to the system. Forums held in - Senior centers. Women centers. Teen centers. More cultural and diversity training and outreach to all of our diverse community. Equal access and respect given to all members of the community. After all, judges are the stewards of the courts and the courts are intended to serve the community.