David Berger is a Deputy District Attorney for the Los Angeles County District Attorney's Office. David is the third generation of a Los Angeles family, and the first generation to obtain a post-graduate degree. David, an immigrant, has lived in Los Angeles since 1989, and is married with two children. David holds law degrees from the University of London and Loyola Law School Los Angeles. 

By the time of the March 2020 Primary Election David will have 24 years of experience at the District Attorney's Office and has ethically, effectively, and fairly handled almost every type of case. David has endorsements from Judges, Defense Attorneys and Prosecutors, all of whom know him to be an excellent candidate for the role of a Judge.

Rehabilitation not Retribution

David was chosen to be the District Attorney's Office Alternative Sentencing Designee, where he worked with Judges, Public Defenders, and Rehabilitation Programs to place suitable non-violent candidates into intensive programs through the Community Collaborative Courts, including:

• Drug Court
• Veteran's Court 
• Co-Existing Disorders Court
• Second Chance Womens' Re-Entry Courts 

These programs give offenders the opportunity, guidance, and support to change their lives, to help them escape the revolving door of the criminal justice system, and to encourage them to become productive members of society. 

Juvenile Justice - Reform or Refocus?

Reforms to the criminal justice system for the most part are focused on adults who are already incarcerated. Many of them have records that stretch back to the time when they were juveniles. The goal of the juvenile system is to rehabilitate young offenders and David's experience in the criminal justice system has convinced him that he can best continue his career in public service by becoming a judge in the juvenile courts. It is there that a judge has the opportunity to change the lives of young people.

Judicial elections are non-partisan, therefore candidates should not make statements about their party affiliation. However, there is nothing to prevent a judicial candidate from speaking in broad terms about their beliefs. I do believe that all persons who appear before me as a judge should be afforded the fullest protections guaranteed by the constitution. The courtroom must be a forum where the rights of individuals are respected and all are given an equal opportunity to fairly present their case.  

LEGAL EXPERIENCE

Served protecting the community as a deputy district attorney for 35 years.

Practiced civil law for four years before becoming a deputy district attorney.

Tried almost 100 jury trials.

Tried murderers, kidnappers, rapists, child molesters,robbers and major drug traffickers. The list also includes trials involving DUI vehicular manslaughters and domestic violence.

Served in the Sexual Assault Unit prosecuting and trying rapists and child molesters.

Served in the Major Narcotics Unit prosecuting and trying major narcotic offenders.

Served as Deputy In Charge of the Long Beach Juvenile Office.

Served as Deputy In Charge of the Inglewood Juvenile Offiice.

Served in the Training Division instructing new trial deputy district attorneys.

Trained deputy district attorneys in other California counties and in other states.

Trained hundreds of police officers and detectives in constitutioanl law regarding search and seizure and search warrants.

LIFE EXPERIENCES 

Nick Rini was born in Pasadena, California and raised in east Los Angeles. He began his strong work ethic at the age of 12 when he began cutting lawns and delivering the Herald Examiner newspaper 7 days a week. From there, he worked at McDonalds as he went through high school. He worked his way through college working as a hospital orderly and at Farmer John Meat Packing Company. While working his way through law school he also lived in a camper on the back of his Datsun pickup truck.

Nick learned the importance of community service at a young age as well. Through hard work and community service, he earned the rank of Eagle Scout in the Boy Scouts of America. This sense of service has carried him through 35 years of public service as a deputy district attorney. At this time, he would like to continue his public service as a judge for Los Angeles.  

Nick has been happily married for 39 years, to the same woman. He has four wonderful children and two grandchildren

I have been fortunate in having the opportunity to study international law. I can honestly say, that our system of justice is the best in the world. However, no system is perfect. That is why we must never stop our endless pursuit to make our judicial system better, more fair and more equal to all.