"Who should I vote for Judge?"

By Randolph Martin Hammock

What does the typical voter do? The answer is obvious and somewhat disturbing -- they simply vote for the judicial candidate based upon their name and/or their three word "ballot designation." The three-word ballot designation -- that's the key. Of course, it is the candidate who chooses his or her own designation. Creativity is now becoming the norm. A Deputy District Attorney has now become a "Criminal Gang Prosecutor" or something with a similar ominous title. Anyone who teaches a single course at an unaccredited law school for even a few hours a month suddenly becomes a "Professor." The list goes on.

The painful fact remains that since the vast majority of the voters are essentially uninformed about who the judicial candidates are, they typically vote for the "law and order" candidates, to wit, the Deputy District Attorneys. Indeed, a private sector attorney hasn't won a Los Angeles county-wide judicial election since 1988. The majority of sitting judges in Los Angeles County are former DDAs.

While I certainly believe that we should all commend the fine job that the DDAs do for our society, this doesn't mean that I believe that we should automatically vote for them for judge, in some sort of knee-jerk reaction, so we can all sleep better at night knowing that tough "law and order" judges are putting the criminals away.

Being a judge is more than just being "tough on crime." Indeed, the average voter's contact with the legal system will typically involve something other than the criminal courts. A divorce (and all issues of child custody, support, etc.) occurs in the family law courts. A lawsuit occurs in the civil courts. Wills, Conservatorships, etc. take place in the probate courts.

What we need, in my opinion, is balance in our courts. We need judges who have a broad range of legal experiences. We need judges who have a reasoned and calm temperament. Judges who will listen to what the parties and their lawyers have to say, and who actually care about trying to understand and appreciate what their respective legal positions are. Judges who will attempt to be fair and unbiased to everyone. Judges who will treat everyone with respect and courtesy. Judges without personal agendas, and who will simply and fairly uphold the rule of law.

My name is Randolph Martin Hammock. I am a candidate for Judge of the Superior Court, Office No. 144. I would be that kind of judge.

I invite you to review the details about myself, my qualifications and my candidacy at my website: hammock4judge.com. I respectfully request your support and your vote on June 6th.