June 2014 Election, Los Angeles County, California/Letters to Candidates
Letters to candidates in the June 2014 Election, Los Angeles County, California.
Superior Court Judge
I'm a voter and blogger looking to get more insight into the candidates that I will need to choose between in the upcoming election this June, so I'm emailing all of the Judicial candidates (excepting those I could not find an email address for) these four questions to help me learn more about them.
What inspires you to seek a seat as a Superior Court Judge?
What responsibility do you see individual citizens as having in promoting their own welfare, and the welfare of society, and what kinds of limitations you see to that responsibility?
How do you think Superior Court Judges can act as a check against abuse of power by the legislative and executive branches of government at their level?
What do you think the purpose of punishing criminals to be?
Thank you,
Sean Cox
Responses
Carol Rose
Received: 29/Mar/2014
Dear Mr. Cox:
To answer your queries:
1. I am seeking a seat on the judiciary for the following reasons (these are listed in my webpage): I have been practicing in the courtroom for 37 years and have gained a great deal of knowledge, empathy and wisdom. I believe that we need educated, energetic and experienced courtroom lawyers as our judges. I am inspired by some fabulous scholarly judges and intend to emulate them.
2. Each citizen has a responsibility to all of our community to sit as a juror. Also, it is important that citizens report crimes, even if they are compensated for their loss from insurance companies. To receive all of the benefits of living in our incredible country that offers so many unique rights, a citizen has only two obligations - to sit as a juror and to vote. Both of these are all we ask for all of the freedoms we have.
3. A judge follows the law, does not change it. They are not meant to be checks and balances but enforcers.
4. Punishing criminals has two purposes that are effective - one is to protect society from them while they are incarcerated and on parole and the other is to encourage them not to repeat crimes. This can be thought to be a form of rehabilitation.
I hope that helps and invite you to view www.CarolRoseforJudge.com
Carol Rose
Arnold William Mednick
Received: 31/Mar/2014
please see - http://smartvoter.org/vote/mednick
James B. Pierce
Received: 31/Mar/2014
Dear Mr. Cox;
These are four very deep philosophical questions that are extremely important but unfortunately I do not have the luxury of the time necessary to fully answer. But here goes my quick but probably inadequate responses:
I have been a Judge for over 25 years and my biggest motivating factor has been public service. It has been immensely satisfying to work hard and to improve the criminal justice system here in Long Beach. I look forward to serving for a long time in the future.
Individual autonomy and responsibility is universally celebrated in free societies and repressed in totalitarian societies. There is always a balance however between individual and community responsibilities. Striking that balance is always more of an art than a science.
An independent judiciary (even at the trial level) has always acted as a limitation of power to the executive and legislative branches of government. The limitations of course are the US and California constitutions.
Punishment has several purposes (again not enough time or space to fully cover) which include but is not limited to retribution, correction and rehabilitation.
Thank you for questions and I am sorry I could not spent more time to give you fuller answers. Please vote June 3rd.
Jim Pierce