Juez, Cargo 30 — Tribunal Superior de California, Condado de San Diego
Get the facts on the California candidates running for election to the Juez, Cargo 30 — Tribunal Superior de California, Condado de San Diego
Find out their top 3 priorities, their experience, and who supports them.
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The SDCBA has been providing evaluations for candidates in contested judicial elections since 1978.
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Candidatos
Paul Starita
- Selfless service to our community to promote the fair...
- Treat all who enter my courtroom with dignity and...
- Unbiased application of the law.
Tim Nader
- Assure fairness and justice for all who come to court
- Support public safety
- Promote understanding of our justice system
Mike Murphy
- Maintain the integrity of the judiciary by always...
- Uphold the Constitution and apply our laws equally...
- Protect the rights of citizens by ensuring that the...
Pete Murray
- Strict adherence to the rule of law with the fundamental...
- Unbiased and fair treatment of EVERY individual that...
- Unequivocal independence and impartiality in every...
Mis 3 prioridades principales
- Selfless service to our community to promote the fair and efficient administration of justice.
- Treat all who enter my courtroom with dignity and respect.
- Unbiased application of the law.
Experiencia
Biografía
As an Assistant U.S. Attorney and U.S. Marine Judge Advocate, I have served our County and Country for 29 years. My legal experience, consisting of prosecuting and defending both criminal and civil cases as well as serving as a judicial officer, makes me uniquely qualified to handle any matter presented to me in a fair and impartial manner.
I have served as an Assistant U.S. Attorney for 16 years. As a federal prosecutor, I investigated and prosecuted over 500 felony cases including drug trafficking / organized crime, corruption, and violent crime. As a civil trial attorney, I defend the United States in various lawsuits and prosecute civil health care and procurement fraud cases.
Now a Marine Colonel, I have served on active duty and in the Reserve for 30 years. I am a proven leader with superior executive decision-making ability. Importantly, my service includes four years as a Military Judge where I presided over jury and bench trials, motion hearings, and plea and sentencing hearings. I thus have prior judicial experience.
Further, between my active duty service and that at the U.S. Attorney’s Office, I have two years of experience as a litigation associate at a law firm. I litigated matters in Superior Courts in Los Angeles, Orange, and San Diego counties.
By supporting my candidacy, you are giving our community a trusted public servant who will follow the law and ensure the fair administration of justice.
¿Quién apoya a este candidato?
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Videos (1)
Paul discusses his experience and why he is the best choice for Superior Court Judge, Seat 30.
Información de contacto del candidato
Mis 3 prioridades principales
- Assure fairness and justice for all who come to court
- Support public safety
- Promote understanding of our justice system
Experiencia
Experiencia
Educación
Actividades comunitarias
Biografía
Tim Nader grew up in Chula Vista and returned to his hometown after law school. He worked for Justice Don Work on the California Court of Appeal for two years before going to work as a criminal prosecutor for the California Attorney General. As a prosecutor, Tim handled hundreds of felony cases, including precedent-setting cases in victims' rights and constitutional law.
In 1991, Tim was elected Mayor of Chula Vista where he was known for advancing public safety, affordable housing, educational and recreation programs for youth, and environmental protection. Tim oversaw expansion of the Chula Vista Police Department and the institution of new anti-crime programs that resulted in a significant reduction in crime.
Following his term as Mayor, Tim worked as an affordable housing developer before returning to the practice of law as a child support attorney. In 2008, Tim took a position as Deputy Attorney General in the Civil Division of the California Department of Justice, where he handles complex civil litigation on behalf of the state.
In 2010, when Southwestern Community College had its accreditation placed on probationary status in the midst of a corruption scandal, Tim Nader ran for and was elected to its Board. Known in the community for his fairness and competence, Tim was unanimously chosen on his first night in office to be the new Board President. Tim worked with college employees, students and Board colleagues to guide the college through this time, cooperating fully with the District Attorney's investigation into the corruption of the previous administration. The college's accreditation was restored and several officials entered guilty pleas to criminal charges and were removed. As a college Board member, Tim has supported Southwestern's program of providing college classes to inmates at Donovan State Prison. This program does NOT reduce sentences, but when individuals are released, they have credit they can apply toward a degree. The program has been shown to significantly reduce recidivism, making all of us safer.
Tim, whose father and uncle fought in the U.S. military in World War II, deeply appreciates that our freedom would not be possible without our veterans. As Mayor, Tim started Chula Vista's Veterans Affairs Commission and led the effort to locate a state Veterans' Home in the city. Tim helped start the Student Veterans Center at Southwestern College and today, Southwestern is nationally recognized as one of the most military-friendly schools in America.
Tim attends church in San Diego. He has taught classes on the Constitution and criminal justice in local schools. He remains active in several professional organizations, including the Lawyers Club of San Diego, which is dedicated to promoting gender equality - Tim is honored to be one five men to have served on the Lawyers Club Board.
Tim lives in his hometown of Chula Vista with his wife Freda and stepdaughter Alexandra. Tim and Freda, who works for the YMCA assisting disadvantaged youth, are active in their community, supporting organizations that assist college students and promote educational opportunity.
¿Quién apoya a este candidato?
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Funcionarios electos (17)
Preguntas y Respuestas
Preguntas de The League of Women Voters of San Diego (LWVSD) and the League of Women Voters of North County San Diego (LWVNCSD) (3)
Perhaps the most significant challenge is lack of meaningful access for those who don’t qualify for free legal representation and who don’t have the means to pay for market-rate representation. This includes parties with an interest in case outcomes who may not be aware of their rights, or able to arrange their own representation, such as crime victims and children in some cases. Heavy caseloads combined with the high cost of representation, especially given the generally high cost of living in San Diego, is a barrier to justice for many middle class and working people.
I would strive to be aware of the burdens on those who are least able to fend for themselves in our system, or who have special considerations - such as children, veterans and crime victims - and connect them to resources both inside and outside the justice system that can assist them in obtaining just outcomes. I would assure the constitutional rights of crime victims are respected on the same basis as others in the system. I support the "veterans court" that connects veterans who find themselves in the system to supportive outside services. I would be conscientious about assuring that children are adequately protected and would welcome their advocates and supporters in the courtroom. I would work to inform our citizens about our justice system, how it works, their legal rights, and available resources.
What action (personal or professional) that you have taken most exemplifies how you would execute the duties of the office you are running for?
Would you say that the San Diego County Bar Association's judicial evaluation of you (see https://www.sdcba.org/index.cfm?pg=JudicialEvaluations ) is a fair and accurate assessment of your qualifications? If not, which aspects of your experience may have been overlooked or undervalued?
Preguntas de League of Women Voters of California (3)
Criminal cases: Hundreds of felony appeals (including capital cases) and felony and misdemeanor trials
Family law: child support (six years full-time), including establishment of paternity, support orders and enforcement
For the past 11 years I have been litigating civil cases for the State of California in the areas of tax and business regulation
The system works fairly for those with effective representation. We have good judges who do their best with what we have. The District Attorney's office does its best to protect the rights of victims as well as to prosecute criminals. The Public Defender's office does all it can to provide conscientious and professional representation to defendants. Unfortunately, the District Attorney, the police, the Public Defender, the Probation Department and the courts are all understaffed relative to what would be optimal for protection of the public. Those without resources and knowledge of the system - victims as well as defendants - are at a disadvantage. Judges need to be mindful of this, especially when making decisions that will impact our most vulnerable people such as victims of crime and children. We need to be ready to connect people with resources outside the traditional parameters of the criminal justice system when that will best serve the future of our community. Organizations that serve children, veterans, crime victims and others with special considerations need to be utilized to supplement the traditional system so as to obtain the most just, productive and protective outcomes.
My experience has been that our courts do a good job of handling civil cases. The judges are generally knowledgeable, thoughtful and fair. The biggest problem is backlog caused by too many cases with too few judges. In certain types of civil cases such as child custody and support, cases with parties in the military, or juvenile matters, it is important that judges be proactive in assuring that those affected by a case are informed and their rights are protected.
Creencias poliza
Filosofía política
The Constitution is the foundation of our freedom, the source of our civil rights and property rights as Americans. Judges must first and foremost support and defend the Constitution - independent of any political concerns, social pressure or bias. In every office I have held, I have been a passionate defender of the Constitution, including the right of free speech, the right of freedom of religion, the right to equal protection of the law for all people, and the state Constitutional rights of crime victims.
The most important function of government is to protect public safety. If the public is not protected from street crime, environmental crime and economic crime, it is impossible for government to serve the public. It is not the function of the courts to decide public policy - I had a role in that as a mayor, and I know the difference very well. It is the function of the courts to uphold the Constitution and the laws with fairness so that the public can be confident in effective and equal justice. If the courts do that job well, it becomes much easier for our schools, our police, our community organizations, our churches and our families, to create healthy and prosperous communities.
Documentos sobre determinadas posturas
Youth and Justice
The role of a judge in securing opportunities for our youth while protecting public safety for all
Our courts impact our young people and our community at large in many ways which are not always obvious, but which always matter. A judge who is mindful of these impacts can have a hugely positive impact on the lives of young people and can contribute to making our communities safer and healthier. A judge who is unaware can cause significant harm, or miss opportunities to set young people who encounter the justice system on a positive path.
Juvenile Justice:
This is probably what many most commonly think of when they think of young people and the law: A young person commits a criminal offense and enters the criminal justice system.
If the offender is over 14 and commits a very serious offense (such as murder), California law provides they can be treated as an adult, so as to better protect the public from violence. It is the role of judges to implement laws within the Constitution that are passed by the Legislature to protect the public.
However, the vast majority of juvenile offenders are handled by a justice system separate from that for adult offenders. The experience these young people have can make the difference between getting the guidance and opportunity they need to turn their lives around and become productive citizens, or living lives of alienation, despair, and all too often, crime.
Detention is not always the best answer for minor juvenile offenses. It is important that judges be aware of alternatives. There are many good programs offered through government services, community non-profit organizations, and faith-based groups that can give young people the non-punitive discipline they may need while offering educational, health, counseling and other services to give them a chance to get their lives on a positive track. One example is the "Strength-Based Family Approach" of South Bay Community Services, partnering with law enforcement, schools, health providers and other social agencies. https://southbaycommunityservices.org/youth-prevention-intervention/
Having been personally very close to adult citizens who were in the system as young people, I know the experience a young person has in the system can change their life for better or worse. When I was Mayor of Chula Vista, we brought together our Police with our Parks and Recreation Department, non-profit groups and youth leaders to create programs to give disadvantaged youth more options both recreationally and educationally, to develop job and business skills, and to have positive relationships with police officers. Crime dropped.
By being aware of options and community resources, judges can ensure the system more often plays a positive role in helping troubled young people, and making the entire community safer.
It's Not All About Juvenile Offenders
Young people's lives can be profoundly affected by our court system without any alleged wrongdoing on their part. Children with special education needs, children without parents, and children caught up in civil disputes can all come before a judge. Custody and support disputes can produce life-changing consequences for children. Judges must always be mindful of the impact these proceedings can have on children who are the most vulnerable citizens affected by our courts. As an attorney who has prosecuted crimes against children and handled hundreds of child support cases, and as a public official who has helped develop programs for youth and worked with youth advocates, I am uniquely qualified to assure that justice is delivered for our young people.
Education
As an attorney I have made presentations in elementary schools, middle schools and high schools to teach about our justice system and our Constitution. I have personally seen the special impact judges have on young people when they participate in these programs, and I am committed to doing so as a judge.
The way judges decide cases can also have a significant impact on educational opportunity, and safety in our schools. As a current education official in our community colleges, I have an awareness of the interrelationship between the judiciary and our educational institutions that I will bring with me to the bench.
Crime Victims and Public Safety
All citizens, including young people, are affected by crime. However, young people are among those most vulnerable to crime, and whose rights must be most vigorously protected when they are victims of crime.
Many people may not know that the California Constitution guarantees certain rights to crime victims in court. When I was a prosecutor, I handled a number of matters involving crime victims' rights. In fact, my first two cases as a prosecutor involved the rights of crime victims. In one of them, a seven year old boy had been sexually assaulted. The boy had no parents, and his guardian took the side of the perpetrator. The only adult who this vulnerable boy knew was on his side was his elementary school teacher. Court can be a strange and intimidating experience for many people, but especially for children. Over defense objections, we were able to secure his right to have his teacher present with him in court for emotional support. In the other case, a young girl on a bicycle was hit by a drunk driver who left the scene and was later arrested. The girl suffered serious injury. We vindicated the girl's constitutional right to restitution by upholding a condition requiring the drunk driver to make payments to her. Both these cases demonstrate the importance of having judges who uphold crime victims' rights, and who are especially sensitive to the needs of child victims. My experience qualifies me to handle this responsibility with fairness and compassion for young victims.
Children who must testify in court after being victimized by criminals are among the most vulnerable people who become involved in our justice system. They have already been traumatized by the crime, and court can inflict further trauma if it is not handled with care. I have no tolerance for the bullying of victims, especially children.
Finally, we must be mindful that the best way to protect our children is to prevent victimization in the first place. In exercising any discretion the laws and the Constitution give me, I will always be mindful of the safety of our communities and our young people.
Videos (1)
The candidate discusses the importance of judges in people's lives, and his experience as a lawyer and community servant
Información de contacto del candidato
Mis 3 prioridades principales
- Maintain the integrity of the judiciary by always conducting myself in a professional and ethical manner
- Uphold the Constitution and apply our laws equally and impartially
- Protect the rights of citizens by ensuring that the courtroom provides a fair and open forum for all litigants
Experiencia
Experiencia
Educación
Biografía
Mike was born and raised in San Diego. His father was an attorney and his mother was an elementary school teacher. Mike graduated from St. Augustine High School in 1988. He has been married for 25 years and has four children.
¿Quién apoya a este candidato?
Información de contacto del candidato
Mis 3 prioridades principales
- Strict adherence to the rule of law with the fundamental foundation being the Constitution of the United States.
- Unbiased and fair treatment of EVERY individual that appears in any courtroom in which I preside.
- Unequivocal independence and impartiality in every ruling and judgement I may be called-upon to make.
Experiencia
Experiencia
Educación
Biografía
29-years experience as California State Court trial prosecutor and private practice attorney. Veteran U.S. Naval Officer/Aviator and family man with a life-time of service to his city and community.