It is not a race most voters pay much attention to, especially during a presidential election, but Los Angeles County Superior Court judges serve nearly 10 million people across the county.
In fact, it is the largest single unified trial court in the United States.
The judges oversee both criminal and civil matters. They also oversee contract disputes, traffic violations, and murder trials.
Spectrum News 1 asked the candidates the same questions to help viewers and readers make informed decisions when voting.
Below are questions and answers from Myanna Dellinger and Steve Morgan, who are both running for Office #72.
Question: What work do you currently do, and why do you do it?
Myanna Dellinger: "Right now, I'm a law professor. I teach business law and human rights law. I truly love working with the law and with people, sort of on a live basis, dealing with a lot of facts and a lot of things that go on at the same time. I find for me, combining the two makes a lot of sense.”
Steve Morgan: “I’m currently at Deputy District Attorney for the L.A. County District Attorney’s Office. I prosecute white-collar crimes, so embezzlements, major frauds, that sort of thing. I am also a Lieutenant Colonel in the Army Reserve. I was raised with the idea of public service — which you should figure out what your gifts are and then figure out what’s the best way to give back.”
Question: What does justice mean to you?
Dellinger: “For me, justice means that you have an equal chance here in life and that the law is applied as it’s intended to do. It also means that there is no bias, explicit or implicit or otherwise in legal applications. It also means to me in a place like L.A. County, having judicial administrators, including of course judges, from a variety of backgrounds, professions, of color, immigration wise, and what not. Government truly for me should be representative of the people it represents to be just and fair.”
Morgan: “Justice is this idea that no matter who you are or where you come from, no matter what your background is, that you’re going to get a fair shake. It is difficult today for folks, for many different reasons, economically and for other reasons, folks have a tough time. I think just this idea that when you come into the courtroom with an issue, that you have the ability to have your interests represented fairly and that you get a fair shake in front of a judge or a jury.”
Question: What is something voters should know about you outside the courtroom?
Dellinger: “I like to be outside. I like to go traveling, [and] hiking. I think diversity also includes having a fresh outlook on things, and I’ve had the luck of visiting many different countries, about 38 different countries and about 33 of the U.S. States.”
Morgan: “I’ve got a 2-year-old at home, so besides working and being with the 2-year-old, I try to maintain my friendships with close friends.”
Question: What makes you the best candidate in this race?
Dellinger: "I am the best candidate because I have the best demonstrable qualifications. I represent something a little different and because of my great people skills and because of the fact that I do not come from the prosecution side or defense side for that matter. I think judges need to represent people in different professions a lot more and I would do that."
Morgan: “I’ve been endorsed by the Los Angeles Times. The L.A. County Bar Association rated me “well qualified.” I have a diversity of experience. I was a criminal defense attorney in Chicago, Los Angeles, and for the Army on active duty. I was essentially like a public defender and then I have been a prosecutor in both the military and the civilian system. I have taught. I have also been active in the Los Angeles legal community. I help set up a legal clinic through the L.A. County Bar Association that provides legal assistance to former service members. I think I have the diversity of experience. I have the temperament. I’ve got the work ethic to make me the best candidate to make a meaningful difference on the bench."
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