League of Women Voters of California Education Fund
Santa Clara County, CA June 6, 2006 Election
	Douglas B. Allen Answers Questions Candidate for Judge - Superior Court; County of Santa Clara; Office 8

Read the answers from all candidates (who have responded).

Questions & Answers

1. As a judge, you may be called upon to impose sentences for crimes ranging from misdemeanors to homicide. While there are sentencing parameters and guidelines, you will have latitude. What factors and principles/values will affect your decisions?

A wide range of legal and life experience has given me insight into fair sentencing issues. Working with youth as a coach and teacher, representing indigent clients in civil rights actions, drafting legislation on peace officer powers and representing public officials, business and property owners has provided me with exposure to diverse community members and interests. All of this gives insight into fairness and the need to provide all persons with protection against crime.

2. Please describe your experience in civil and criminal cases.

With 25 year of civil and criminal trial experience it is difficult to describe in a paragraph. I have tried cases that include three month long jury trials, received multi million dollar and defense verdicts, and numerous injunctions and writs. My cases have often been leading edge cases in civil and property rights, law enforcement and environmental protection. Nine of my cases have resulted in published appellate decisions. I have tried jury trials in Federal and state courts throughout California, in most areas of the law including intellectual property and anti trust. I have handled numerous appeals and writs including many election cases, civil rights, peace officer powers, real estate and employment. Small business to Fortune 100 companies, professionals and public officials to indigent individuals have been my clients.

3. Would you propose any changes to assure there is no appearance of bias in the courtroom including, but not limited to, bias based on disability, gender identity, age, race, religion, ethnicity, or sexual orientation?

I have represented persons of various ethnic, racial and gender identity groups in many cases. I have advanced their claims and defended them in cases involving excessive police force, sexual harassment, employment, and other civil rights. Recent trials of mine in United State District Court involved verdicts in sexual harassment and civil rights. What I find is the best protection of persons of diverse backgrounds is having a judge that will have the intelligence and experience to know the law and the courage to apply it.

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Responses to questions asked of each candidate are reproduced as submitted to the League. 

Read the answers from all candidates (who have responded).

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Created from information supplied by the candidate: May 1, 2006 08:23
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