Candidate for
Judge of the Superior Court; County of Fresno; Office No. 16

A View of Jurisprudence Formed in the Courtroom

Since my admission to the Bar in 1980, my life has been one of a courtroom lawyer. Though I had served on Courts Martial during my five years as an Army Officer, and had conducted administrative proceedings for the State Department of Education,and, though I served on occasion as Judge Pro Tempore at the request of then Fresno Municipal Court Clerk Everett Longstaff,I have devoted nearly all of two decades to service as a courtroom advocate.

I served both as a prosecutor for four and one half years, and as a public defender for the past thirteen. Over time I have developed a philosophy of justice based on a de jur synthesis of freedom and personal responsibility. The jurisprudence of a free people bound each to each by duty.

The Proper Office of Judge

The judicial officers of this state must apply the law as it is given to them by the People. They must not make law by interpretations which defeat the manifest purpose of the People. They must be honest in fact, and honest intellecually - maintaining the moral high ground without fear or favor. They must be firm with the criminal offender, imposing a punishment that will deter others and prevent recurrance. They must be servants worthy of respect.

But the best of their number, and I have appeared befor many indeed, are those whose learning is supplemented by curiosity, whose power is checked by humility, whose responsibility is made facile by humor, and whose firmness is leavened by graceful courtesy. This is what is meant by "judicial temperment," and I have long set myself to develop those qualities. I hope and believe that I have done so.

The worst of our judicial officers are those who lack moral courage, who throw temper-tantrums in court, who act selfishly, and tend, in arrogance, to bring the judicial power into disrepute. The public must not distrust the probity of the courts. If chosen to serve, I dedicate myself to avoiding these errors. I will take the work of the court seriously, but never myself.

I promise each citizen that matters touching their persons and property will, if submitted to me, be decided acording to diligent application of law and none else. This will be without bias or favoritism. To that end will I apply the full extent of my person and, if selected, my mind.