Sutter County DA candidates address sanctuary state law, scandals

Editor’s Note: This is the second of four parts reviewing candidate responses during a forum conducted Wednesday evening at the Yuba City City Council chambers.

Sponsored by the Appeal-democrat and the Yuba-sutter Chamber of Commerce, candidates for Sutter County district attorney and Sutter County sheriff answered questions from citizens. Moderators were Steve Miller, editor of

PLEASE RECYCLE NEWSPAPER AFTER READING the Appeal, and Bob Harlan, former radio station newsman and the current United Way CEO.

This part covers the second half of the session for district attorney candidates Amanda Hopper (incumbent) and Chris Carlos. Parts three and four on Sunday and Monday will cover responses of sheriff’s candidates.

The forum was streamed live and is available for viewing on the Appeal-democrat Facebook page.

Q: California recently enacted SB 54, the so-called “Sanctuary State” law. In your view is this law constitutional, and how do you see it affecting your ability to enforce the law in Sutter County?

Hopper said the situation shows a dichotomy between state and federal laws, and she supports efforts to repeal the law, as she has major concerns for public safety.

Carlos said he knows there are exceptions to the rules and he’d want to make sure all officers are aware of such exceptions allowing the contacting of Immigration and Customs Enforcement. “There are ways to go around the law, to my understanding,” he said, “I think that needs to be looked into.”

Q: Which is more important, winning cases or serving justice? What does equal justice mean to you?

Carlos said equal justice means doing what is right, which sometimes means sending someone to prison and some-