- Over 17 years of legal experience in both civil and criminal law
- 13 years as a LA County Deputy District Attorney, with 68 jury trials
- Specialized in elder abuse prosecution for the past 5 years
- 8 years as a Military Lawyer with the CA State Military Reserve
Los Angeles County Superior Court - Judge, Seat 60
Judge, Seat 60 — Los Angeles County Superior Court
Get the facts on the California candidates running for election to the Judge, Seat 60 — Los Angeles County Superior Court
Find out their top 3 priorities, their experience, and who supports them.
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About this office
Superior court judges preside over trial court cases, both civil and criminal. They hear witnesses' testimony and other evidence and decide cases by applying the law to the relevant facts.
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Candidates
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Tony J. Cho
Deputy District Attorney
Top 3 Priorities
- Through the fair administration of Justice, I hope...
- I hope to provide equal access to the courts for all.
- I will efficiently and effectively manage my courtroom,...
Profile
Endorsed by
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Los Angeles County Democratic PartySEIU Local 721Association of Deputy District AttorneysAmerican Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees (AFSCME)Stonewall Democratic ClubPainters and Allied Trades District Council 36Long Beach Peace Officers AssociationMontebello Police Officers Association (MPOA)Los Angeles Police Protective League (LAPPL)New Frontier Democratic PartyLos Angeles County Professional Peace Officers Association (LACPPOA)Long Beach Democratic ClubHubert Humphrey Democratic ClubEast Area Progressive DemocratsKorean American Democratic Committee (KADC)North Valley Democratic ClubCanada Crescenta Democratic ClubCulver City Democratic ClubLatino Prosecutors Association (LPA)National Asian Pacific Islander Prosecutors Association (NAPIPA)Korean American Bar AssociationMaxine Waters, U.S. CongresswomanTed Lieu, U.S. CongressmanJudy Chu, U.S. CongresswomanLinda Sanchez, U.S. CongresswomanBen Allen, State SenatorAnthony Rendon, Speaker of the AssemblyMiguel Santiago, AssemblymemberEd Chau, AssemblymemberPaul Koretz, Los Angeles City CouncilmemberDoug Haubert, Long Beach City ProsectuorDavid Ryu, Los Angeles City CouncilmemberSteve Cooley, Former Los Angeles County District AttorneyMike Feuer, Los Angeles City AttorneyJeffrey Prang, Los Angeles County AssessorOver 60 Los Angeles Superior Court Judges
Holly L. Hancock
Deputy Public Defender of Los ANgeles...
Top 3 Priorities
- If elected, I am interested in pursuing rehabilitation...
- The youth of our county need to be prepared to enter...
- Looking at all sides of the issues involved, listening...
Profile
Endorsed by
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Deputy District Attorney, County of Los Angeles
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My Top 3 Priorities
- Through the fair administration of Justice, I hope to increase public confidence in the judicial system.
- I hope to provide equal access to the courts for all.
- I will efficiently and effectively manage my courtroom, to ensure all parties have a fair opportunity to be heard.
Experience
Experience
Profession:Deputy District Attorney
Deputy District Attorney, Los Angeles County District Attorney's Office (2005–current)
In House Counsel, TM Claims Services, Inc. (2002–2005)
Education
George Washington School of Law — Juris Doctor (J.D.), Law (2001)
University of California, Irvine — Bachelor of Arts (B.A.), Political Science (1998)
Community Activities
Staff Judge Advocate - Captain, California Department of the Military - California State Military Reserve (2010–current)
Facilitator/Instructor, Project LEAD Program - Los Angeles County District Attorney's Office (2010–current)
Member, California Lawyers Association - Criminal Law Executive Committee (2017–current)
Member, Korean Prosecutors Association - Board of Governors (2012–current)
Member, National Asian Pacific Islander Prosecutors Association - Treasurer and Board Member (2015–current)
Biography
Who supports this candidate?
Featured Endorsements
Organizations (20)
Elected Officials (14)
Individuals (1)
Questions & Answers
Questions from League of Women Voters of Los Angeles County (3)
What criteria are most important for voters to use in evaluating judicial candidates?
Answer from Tony J. Cho:
It is important for voters to be informed about judicial candidates. In that regard, I believe that endorsements are critical in evaluating a judicial candidate. For instance, endorsements from Judges, law enforcement, unions, elected officials, and organizations are all important in vetting judicial candidates.
The judicial candidates work experience is also important. While the overall years of experience may be a factor to be considered, the true test is the quality of the years in experience. Voters should consider the number of jury trials the candidate has completed, the seriousness and complexity of the cases that the candidate has handled, the candidate's reputation in the office, and the broad array of experiences.
Lastly, character is critical in evaluating a judicial candidate. This includes the candidate's integrity, work ethic, temperment, and demeanor.
How can courts and judges better assure that all people have adequate access to legal help and the legal system?
Answer from Tony J. Cho:
Adequate access to the legal system begins with efficient courtrooms and courthouses. Mandating that the parties are ready when the courtroom opens and efficiently running a courtroom calendar is critical in access to Justice.
Judges set the tone in their courtrooms. I would promptly take the bench every morning, and be fully prepared to handle every case on calendar. I would also expect the attorneys and parties who appear in my courtroom to be similarly prompt, prepared, and effectively use the time alloted.
The courts should also provide adequate and easily accessible resources to the public by way of self-help centers, readily available information on websites, and easy to follow instructions to navigate the legal system.
Most defendants are held in County jail before trial because they are not able, due to low income or homelessness, to secure bail imposed by the Court at their arraignment. Does California’s system of imposing bail on defendants need reform? If so, what would you recommend?
Answer from Tony J. Cho:
The bail system is currently being reformed, and on August 28, 2018, Governor Jerry Brown signed into law the California Money Bail Reform Act, which will drastically overhaul how pretrial detention is handled. This new law, once implemented, will essentially eliminate cash-bail, and will create a system in which pretrial detention will be based on risk assessment. In this way, people charged with low-level offenses, who are otherwise determined not to be a danger to the public, will be released pending the resolution of their case.
Political Beliefs
Political Philosophy
I am a registered Democrat. But specifically as to my political philosophy as a judicial candidate, I believe in the fair administration of Justice.
Candidate Contact Info
Attorney at Law
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My Top 3 Priorities
- If elected, I am interested in pursuing rehabilitation and reconciliation in sentencing as a priority.
- The youth of our county need to be prepared to enter adult life, I will endeavor in my review of juvenile cases to make their prepation a priority.
- Looking at all sides of the issues involved, listening to the attorneys with respect and dignity.
Experience
Education
Southwestern University School of Law — I received my Juris Doctor from Southwestern University School of Law., Law (2004)
Community Activities
Current Teen Advisor/Former Vice-President, Parliamentarian, Jack And Jill of America, Inc. (2005–current)
Member, Former President, Black Public Defender's Association (2007–current)
Board Member, Ways and Means, Black Women Lawyers Bar Association (2013–2014)
Parent Advisory Board, St. Jerome School (2006–2010)
Biography
- 12-year defense counsel to thousands of clients.
- Tried to verdict 55 cases; 34 felonies; Acquittals in 29 felonies and 18 misdemeanors.
- Straight not guilty verdicts on the last 11 trials.
- Flight attendant for United and union representative for AFA.
Questions & Answers
Questions from League of Women Voters of Los Angeles County (3)
What criteria are most important for voters to use in evaluating judicial candidates?
Answer from Holly L. Hancock:
The background of the candidate is most important. Do they have the experience and the community involvement necessary? While I am an attorney with extensive trial experience. I have additionally worked as a teen advisor and in bar associations raising scholarship money for teens and law graduates.
How can courts and judges better assure that all people have adequate access to legal help and the legal system?
Answer from Holly L. Hancock:
Courts have been designed to help the homeless, veterans, and those afflicted with drug addiction. People from the community reintegrate through better access to medical and life skills help. In this way, alternative sentencing helps the individual navigate the legal challenges [s]he is faced with. Judges are the administrators of the court budget and determine when and how many of these alternative courts are created within the confines of the state funding. Individually, judges can sentence young adults, teens, and juveniles to school, training and correctional classes. Recent changes in the law allow judges to create diversion programs for the mentally il and veterans suffering from PTSD. All of these measures allow people to return to the community better than when they intersected the legal system.
Most defendants are held in County jail before trial because they are not able, due to low income or homelessness, to secure bail imposed by the Court at their arraignment. Does California’s system of imposing bail on defendants need reform? If so, what would you recommend?
Answer from Holly L. Hancock:
Yes, the system of securing bail has been made unaffordable by all but the wealthy. I would venture to say that in Los Angeles County the middle class struggles to put up secured property sufficient for a bond release. Remember that this is pretrial detention. The majority of the accused are then held in the jails with those who are serving sentences for both felonies and misdemeanors. The concept of posting bail is to secure the defendant's return to the court. In the Humphrey case, the consideration goes not to a suggested bail by the state but to the cash bond that the accused can afford. Most people are a part of the community. They have families to support. Some consideration should be made to their continued ability to work and support those families. If they are posting the amount that they can afford, there is some certainty that they will return to court if only to get the return of their hard-earned money. Although the governor recently signed a new law regarding bail reform the final version of the was much changed. Ultimately, the judges will still decide to release or detain with a bail set.
