presents
* Superior Court Commissioner, Los Angeles County (2015- present)
* Non-profit Attorney (2002-2015); helped clients assert rights; removed barriers and helped them access justice
* J.D. UCLA School of Law, 2001
* B.A. Political Science and Chicana/o Studies, UCLA 1997
Voters need to know that the candidate has integrity and is well qualified to be a judge. A voter should look at the candidate's background, legal experience and dedication to public service.
Courts and judges need to be aware of the diversity of the public it serves; including the various obstacles faced by court users. Access to justice and the legal system includes: having interpreters available for monolingual speaking court users; ensuring that litigants understand the court process (signage and information in their native language); court websites that are user friendly and easy to navigate; referrals to the courts own self-help centers or facilitators. Courts and judges need to understand the needs of the diverse populations they serve and make decisions that are both practical and empathetic when adjudicating cases. The public need to know that they will be treated with dignity and respect and that their voice matters.
Chief Justice Cantil-Sakauye convened a committee of judges to explore the current money bail system. The committee made various recommendations, including a new system based on pretrial assessments of a defendant's flight risk and danger to public safety. The committee raised valid concerns on how the system can be improved.
How can courts and judges better assure that all people have adequate access to the legal system?
It is import that courts and judges become aware of the diverse needs of the communities that we serve and then educate ourselves about the resources available to assist litgants that appear before us daily. We need to collaborate with organizations and public agencies that offer social services to the public at low or no cost. It is our obligation not only to ensure that all litigants have access to the courty sytstem, but to make sure the court users are treated with dignity and respect. We all need to have empathy when applying the law to the facts of a give case and to ensure the public feels heard.
