He has served as a volunteer Judge Pro-Tem for the Los Angeles Superior Court many times over the last few years and says, “It’s been one of the greatest honors of my life to serve the public in the capacity of Judge, Administrative Law, and Judge Pro-Tem. It would be an honor to continue serving the People of the County of Los Angeles as a Superior Court Judge.”

Slaten has received early endorsements from Judges, Prosecutors, Defense Attorneys, Civil Attorneys, Unions, Firefighters and Law Enforcement, Nancy Grace, Dr. Drew Pinsky and more. 

As a Los Angeles Superior Court Judge, Judge Slaten will focus on being a fair and impartial judge. Judge Slaten is a champion for alternative sentencing and collaborative courts such as Veteran's Diversion and Drug Court. He believes rehabilitation and treatment should be our goal rather than incarceration of those who need treatment and social services. Judge Slaten wants to end the school to prison pipeline. However, Judge Slaten also believes that jail and prison need to be available options for those whose conduct is inconsistent with a peaceful, civil society. 

I obtained my J.D. at the University of California, Davis, King Hall School of Law. While at Davis, I was an extern at Legal Services of Northern California representing indigent clients with matters like unlawful evictions and obtaining benefits.  I finished my last year of courses at UCLA, and during that time I interned at a union, then clerked at the District Attorney's office before passing the bar. 

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My first position was with a small firm that handled union matters, with the bulk of my work focused on matters involving individual employees in administrative matters like hearings at the Civil Service Commission, internal investigations, and counsel during homicide investigations.

When I started my career at the Los Angeles Public Defender’s office as a Deputy Public Defender, I was pregnant with my second child.  I hit the ground running as a trial attorney handling jury trials, obtaining experience in felonies, misdemeanors, and almost three years in juvenile courts solely representing children. I continue to work in felony trials with adults presently, and am also the treasurer of the Public Defender's Association. 

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Like a lot of people in Los Angeles, I was first involved in the entertainment industry.  Law was a second career.  While I loved acting and worked regularly, I always had a passion for fighting injustice.  Some of my family escaped anti-Semitism during the pogroms. A relative was attacked with an ax and left for dead, and although she survived, she was permanently disfigured.  I was surrounded by Holocaust survivors growing up, and was very much aware of what happens when the law is used to promote inequity.  This planted a seed for my interest in justice and equity. 

When I was 19, my big brother, who is a smart, capable, wonderful person, began to exhibit symptoms of schizophrenia.  Watching him go through it in the beginning without having any ability to help was very emotional, and it still is.  When he had his first episode, he ended up having contact with law enforcement.  Although he was not charged with anything, he was hospitalized.  The whole experience was very traumatic for him, as well as for the family who loves him.  It made me more aware of the realities people with mental illness face in addition to obtaining care.  Mental illness is very much present in the courts, and it is an issue I think we need to do more to address.  

Working regularly as an actor allowed me access to school which I would not have had otherwise, and I embraced the opportunity to get an education so I could participate in making sure the law was more fair for everyone regardless of income or ability.  With my passion for equity and justice, I chose a career that would allow me to work on behalf of my interests, advocating for the rights of low income people and those with mental illness and developmental disabilities.  I am proud of my role in making sure that other people's sons, daughters, parents, siblings, etc., are still afforded their dignity, and that I have preserved their constitutional rights through representing their interests at critical times in their lives.  

 I am grateful to be a part of a historic election in 2022. In over 20 years, only three Deputy Public Defenders have run for Judge of the Superior Court. No Deputy Public Defender has ever won. I am proud to run alongside the other Deputy Public Defenders running in other seats. I filed to run before Ketanji Brown Jackson was nominated and confirmed, however, she illustrated a need for diversity of thought and experience on the bench. We need the perspectives of lawyers with all different backgrounds, particularly thouse who work with the communities of people who are overrepresented in the criminal justice system. 

The law is constantly evolving and changing to adapt to the needs of our county. I consider myself a lifelong learner, and I believe that this is crucial to ensuring that the judiciary continues to reflect the values and interests of the people in Los Angeles County. I want to meet this moment, promote more transparency in the judicial election process, and uphold the ideals of our legal system, while offering creative solutions that benefit the county.  I expect to continue learning, adapting to changes in the law when needed, and working hard to serve our communities. 

Through my role as a Deputy Public Defender, I have a unique perspective and understanding on the issues we are dealing with daily in the courts, especially issues impacting the poorest and most vulnerable members of our community. My work has made me much more familiar with the root causes of what brings people into the system, and what works to prevent recidivsim and protect public safety.

I have actively sought and secured diagnoses, housing, treatment and services to keep people from coming back through the revolving door of the criminal justice system.  This is important because I have seen wonderful outcomes in cases that sought alternatives to prison, and I know it can be done if the right steps are taken. 

I believe in creativity on the bench, embracing new laws that allow judges to promote solutions to the problems we face and serve the interest of Angelenos. 

As someone who has a family member who has a debilitating mental health disorder, I am also acutely aware of how that affects families and the people suffering from mental illness. In representing people who suffer form similar illnesses, I have tried to offer the care, respect, and attention that they deserve. I think that our legal system can and should do better for those suffering from mental health related issues. I look forward to exploring the feasibility of new laws offering alternatives like treatment, rehabilitation, and diversion, so that all involved parties can have a more just outcome.

Most importantly, I intend to bring balance to the bench by offering a deep understanding of the law, contributing to a judiciary that is as diverse and complex as the people it serves, and above all, upholding the Constitution with dignity and respect for everyone in the courtroom.

My work until now, which has been dedicated to working with the least powerful people in our county, will inform me on the bench.  Every single person I work with will be provided the dignity and respect they deserve, regardless of income, ability, or background.

Ms. Baron is a child molestation prosecutor for the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office. She successfully prosecuted hundreds of cases involving homicide, the sexual abuse of children, rape, family violence, elder abuse, and stalking.

In her 14-year career for the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office, Ms. Baron has been recognized by her peers, supervisors, and the media for her skill, empathy, victim advocacy, and public service. She is a trial attorney who has successfully tried misdemeanor and felony cases in jury trial. Ms. Baron has evaluated and handled complex cases and prepared witnesses including the elderly and minor children. Ms. Baron’s commitment to the people of Los Angeles County – as well as her strong principles of justice and advocacy – fueled her decision to run for office. As a Superior Court Judge in Los Angeles County, Ms. Baron will continue to represent people fairly, ethically and with compassion. She has received awards for her work on child molestation prosecutions, and has given presentations at collaborative Homicide Review Boards based off the cases she has worked on. Ms. Baron has also given trainings to other  deputy district attorneys, law enforcement agencies, and been a guest speaker at Southwestern Law School.

Ms. Baron regularly volunteers her time in community service, such as her involvement with Project LEAD and Crime Survivors. In Project LEAD, she teaches fifth-grade students practical skills for conflict resolution and fosters lifelong respect for education. Ms. Baron is a Council Member for Crime Survivors. She assists this organization in helping those who have been victimized and need resources so they can find safety and healing by providing meals, therapy resources, financial assistance, self defense classes, outreach programs, and safe places to relocate. 

Ms. Baron worked in London, England for The Howard League for Penal Reform. This program inside the prison taught graphic design skills to the participants using state of the art equipment and paid them market wage. When their sentence ended, they had a free-lance skill to use, a trust account of money to begin their business, and a new life ahead of them. The Howard League also did work in schools teaching children about crime and citizenship, as well as being involved in Children and Women’s Rights legislation. Ms. Baron’s commitment to community service reaches as far back as her teenage years when she began volunteering for service organizations helping the elderly and homeless.

Ms. Baron is an expert in Criminal Law, and has also worked in Construction Defect Law, Insurance Law and International Law.