Our picks for Los Angeles County judges
Voters in Los Angeles County's June primary have no more important duty than electing judges to the Superior Court. A fair, expedient judicial system simply doesn't exist without smart, reasonable, compassionate, legally deep people serving on the bench.
And yet voters have the hardest time figuring out who to select among the candidates running for open or contested seats, for a variety of reasons.
That's where we come in. We surveyed all the candidates for judge about their legal background and judicial philosophies. They replied, many with eloquence and a passion for justice to be served. We pored over the important Bar Association rankings, which rate candidates with four labels: not qualified, qualified, well qualified and exceptionally well qualified.
Here are our endorsements for selected Superior Court seats on the June 7 ballot:
No. 3: Vote for challenger Tim Reuben, rated well qualified by the bar, even though, yes, incumbent Sherilyn Peace Garnett is ranked exceptionally well qualified. But Garnett was just confirmed by the Senate to the federal bench. Reuben, a Harvard Law grad, has 40 years of practice in the county. Judicial philosophy: “Know the law and carefully review and weigh the evidence and facts to come to a judgment. Then as a final thought, decide if that judgment is both fair and just.”
No. 60: Vote for Sharon Ransom. For 17 years a deputy district attorney, she calls the root sources of crime the “breakdown in our communities, along with a failure of our society to provide the resources and opportunities necessary to ensure that every child has an equal chance.”
No. 67: Vote for Fernanda Maria Barreto. Her opponent Ryan Dibble is backed by police unions; not a good look. She is backed by the deputy district attorneys, but is reform-minded: “A court should be cognizant of the personal and economic effect it is having on the parties involved to avoid rulings that exacerbate harm. A courtroom should be a place where everyone, including people who lack resources and lack expertise, are able to access justice.”
No. 70 Vote for Renee
Chang, currently the DA's deputy in charge “of prosecuting cases involving our most vulnerable victims, children. In addition to child molestation and abuse cases, I also prosecute crimes involving domestic violence, elder abuse, hate crimes and sexual assault.” A Berkeley and Columbia Law School grad, she told us, “As a judge, I will continue to safeguard the constitutional rights of all, including the victims, with the focus on public safety.”
No. 90 Vote for Kevin McGurk. We also liked Melissa Lyons in this race. Both are ranked well qualified by the bar. But we were impressed by McGurk's objecting to attorneys still being able to strike jurors simply because they have had a bad experience with law enforcement: “Allowing a juror to be excused simply because they reside in a society where this disparity is occurring is an end-round of the spirit of the prohibition on striking jurors based on race.”
No. 116 Vote for David Gelfound, rated exceptionally well qualified. He helped create the Teen Court program at Northridge Academy High School, where students interact with judges and lawyers and decide cases involving other high school students.
No. 118 Vote for Clint
McKay. Already a presiding administrative law judge, he says “There is no one root cause” for crime, “but poverty, culture, environment and lack of education all play a part.” Opponent Melissa Hammond is backed by police unions and gave vague, brief answers to our survey.
No. 151 Vote for Patrick Hare, a deputy DA ranked well qualified. His bottom line as a judge: “providing alternatives to incarceration for those suffering from substance abuse and addiction where appropriate, granting expungements for those who have demonstrated rehabilitation, as well as by providing significant sanctions for violent and repeat offenders.”
No, 156 Vote for Carol Elswick, rated qualified by the bar. Opponent Albert Robles is not only rated not qualified, he is the scandal-ridden former mayor of Carson who faced ethics inquiries over campaign finances and other issues throughout his political career.