Candidate for
Judge-Superior Court; County of Los Angeles; Office 95

Richard Kraft grew up in Hackensack, New Jersey and, after graduating from Brandeis University in 1978, moved to Los Angeles to attend law school. While at U.S.C. Law School, Richard started a court-approved program providing free interpreter services to non-English speaking civil litigants representing themselves. He served as class president and is a recipient of the Law School's Edward and Eleanor Shattuck Award for Demonstrating High Potential for Outstanding Service to the Legal Profession.

Following admission to the State Bar in 1981, Richard practiced civil litigation in a large firm. He had an interest in real estate law, tried civil cases, and handled appellate work as part of his practice. Richard was also active in the State Bar and served as the Southern California Chair of the State Bar Real Property Law Subsection on Real Estate Litigation.

The turning point in Richard's career (and his life) occurred in 1988 when he participated in the Los Angeles County Bar Association's Trial Attorney Project, volunteering for one month as a deputy city attorney. The personal and professional satisfaction of working for the betterment of our community prompted Richard to leave private practice and begin his career of public service.

Since joining the Criminal Branch of the Los Angeles City Attorney's Office in 1989, Richard has prosecuted more than 200 criminal jury trials. He also lectures and authors training materials for his Office, the California District Attorneys Association, and the American Bar Association. Richard worked in the Domestic Violence Unit for more than 3 years and, since 2002, has worked in a special enforcement unit where his primary responsibility is prosecuting crimes against children, including sexual assault and child pornography, and hate crimes.

This year, the Los Angeles County Bar Association is honoring Richard as Prosecuting Attorney of the Year for 2005 - 2006. Richard is receiving this award, in part, because of his 17 years of dedicated service protecting the most vulnerable victims in our community. He has prosecuted child abuse, animal abuse, family violence and crimes against the elderly.

Richard's most recent major prosecution charged two large corporations and 4 individuals with violating California Labor Code § 6425 (willfully violating Cal-OSHA safety orders causing the death of an employee). That avoidable tragedy involved a 43 year old construction worker's 5 story fall to his death as a result of the failure his employer to provide workers with any safety equipment or fall protection. During the 6 week trial, the People presented 18 witnesses and offered more than 60 exhibits, including hundreds of photographs. Following 2 days of closing arguments, the jury deliberated 3 hours before returning guilty verdicts on all counts. In post-trial motions, Richard obtained a restitution order of more than $375,000 for the victim's mother.

In addition to volunteering with several professional organizations, Richard serves on the Board of Directors of Open Paths Counseling Center. Open Paths offers low income families access to bi-lingual counseling services, including school programs for at-risk youth, domestic violence intervention and parenting classes.