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LWV League of Women Voters of California
Stanislaus County, CA March 5, 2002 Election
Smart Voter Full Biography for Ernest M. "Ernie" Spokes, Jr.

Candidate for
Superior Court Judge; County of Stanislaus; Seat 2

This information is provided by the candidate

I joined the U.S. Army as a Private E-1 on August 10, 1962, two weeks after I graduated from high school. In January, 1965, I graduated from Infantry Officer's Candidate School as a Second Lieutenant. I have also graduated from Airborne, Ranger, Special Warfare and Monterey Language Schools. I served in Vietnam from August, 1966 through March, 1968, where I commanded Detachment A-106, Company C, 5th Special Forces Group (Abn.), in the mountains of the First Corps area in northern South Vietnam. That unit is commonly called a "Green Beret A-Team." After returning to the U.S. I served on the Army Parachute Team, "The Golden Knights." I seperated from active duty as a Captain in November, 1968, and remained in the Army Reserves until receiving my discharge in 1973.

I attended Santa Ana Junior College and California State University at Fullerton, where I received my B.A. in Economics in 1973. I received my J.D. from Western State University College of Law in 1979.

I joined the Stanislaus County District Attorney's Office in October, 1979, after a brief term with the San Juaquin County D.A. I served ten years in that office, where I prosecuted in over 150 jury trials, including over 100 felonies and nine murder trials. As a Deputy District Attorney, I served as supervisor of the Preliminary Examination Team and as Chief Deputy of both the Misdemeanor and Felony Divisions. During my final four years in that office I served as Senior Felony Trial Deputy. I retired from that office in 1989.

Since 1989 I have worked in private practice, first with the firm of Normoyle & Newman, and, since 1992, in solo practice. My case load has included business, real estate, environmental civil law and litigation, and criminal defense. I have now tried well over 200 jury trials.

I have been active with numerous community civic organizations, including The American Legion, the Modesto Chamber of Commerce, Lodge 206 F.&A.M., The Old Fisherman's Club, the Oakdale Sportsmen's Club and the Doctor's Medical Center Institutional Review Board. I have served on the board of directors of the Vietnam Veterans Leadership Program, the Modesto Shrine Club and the Chief Tenaya District of the Boy Scouts. I have served as president of both active legal organizations, The Stanislaus County Bar Association and The Criminal Courts Bar Association of Stanislaus County, as well as the Modesto "500" Lions Club, the Chamber's "Leadership Modesto" Steering Committee, and I was the first president of Chi Gamma Iota, The Federation of College Veterans.

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Created from information supplied by the candidate: February 26, 2002 22:48
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