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Get the facts on the California candidates running for election to the Judge, Seat 118 — Los Angeles County Superior Court
Find out their top 3 priorities, their experience, and who supports them.
2022 Judicial Election Candidates Ratings
Discussion of Candidates and Recommendations for 9 LA County Superior Court seats
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Endorsed by The Los Angeles Times
Rated "Well Qualified" by the Los Angeles County Bar Association
Hi, my name is Melissa Hammond. I am an Angeleno born and raised, a graduate of UCLA School of Law (J.D.) and NYU School of Law (LL.M.), admitted to practice in California and New York. Just as importantly, I am a mother of three.
I have worked in Los Angeles Superior Court day-in, day-out for the last 18 years, serving the public as a deputy district attorney and, before that, a deputy public defender. At the start of my career, I practiced civil litigation, primarily handling real estate and municipal law disputes. I have also conducted administrative law hearings for individuals seeking government benefits.
I am running because of my deep affection for and ambition for the community of Los Angeles. My grandparents immigrated here after losing everything in the Holocaust. Los Angeles was their paradise and dream come true. Now it is where I reside, raise my own children, and where I send them to public school. I want to serve my community as best I can. I have the knowledge and experience needed to be a skilled, fair, and compassionate judge. Please vote for me for Office No. 118 on June 7, 2022.
The public is divided. In my felony court, I resolve disputes and I would continue to resolve disputes to the maximum ability as a Superior Court Judge. We need a meeting of the minds, not divisiveness.
Especially in civil litigation, I believe that individuals without financial means need more assistance navigating their cases. Self-help centers and more legal aid are vital.
I am a candidate for Los Angeles County Superior Court Judge Seat 118 on June 7, 2022, Primary Ballot. The Mail-In Ballots will be mailed on May 9, 2022, to all registered voters.
I have been rated by the Los Angeles County Bar Association - Judicial Elections Evaluation Committee as "Well Qualified" to perform the judicial duties with a high degree of skill and effectiveness.
About me:
· Personal Information
o Grew up in South Central Los Angeles
o Graduated from
§ Manual Arts High School
§ UCLA – Political Science B.A.
§ USC – Masters in Public Administration
§ Western State University, College of Law – Law Degree
· Legal Experience
o Deputy District Attorney with Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office for over 30 years
o Tried 80 trials to verdict
o Trial, Calendar, Filing, and Juvenile Deputy
o Assigned to the Alternative Sentencing Court/Community Collaborative Court
· Qualifications to be a Judge
o Personal and Legal Experiences
o I will be fair and apply equal justice to all individuals
o I will treat everyone with dignity and respect
o I'm concerned about community safety
o I have the temperament and compassion to be a judge
o I bring diversity to the bench
On June 7, 2022, my vote alone is not enough to elect me as Los Angeles County Superior Court Judge Seat 118. If you vote by mail, please VOTE for me. I am asking for your support! I need each one of you to “VOTE” for me.
Sincerely
Georgia Huerta
Candidate for Superior Court Judge Seat 118
There are several obstacles to justice. However, I will just list the following three in my opinion:
1. An individual economic wealth or lack of can be an obstacle to justice.
2. The justice system relies on people and people can be falliable.
3. The lack of or missing physical evidence can be an obstacle to justice.
No, I don't believe that all citizens have adequate access to legal help and the legal system.
If not, what can be done to provide widere and better access? In my opinion, I think the way to provide wider and better access to the legal system is by educating the community as a whole. There should be more "self-help" resources availabe in the community. Educational seminar regarding the legal system could be held at local community centers and neighborhood facilities. The focus should be on understanding the legal system, how to protect your rights, and what services are available in the community. There are legal services already available in some communities, but these legal services should be in every community.
I left home when I was 15 years old, and was still able to complete undergraduate, law and business degrees without financial help. I have demonstrated throughout my life that I have the ability to persevere through adversity. I have dedicated my life to justice; I enjoy the art of discerning truth from the evidence presented.
I am currently a Presiding Administrative Law Judge and together with another presiding judge, supervise a panel of approximately 15 administrative law judges. I enjoy mentoring and discerning truth from the evidence presented; that is why I became a judge and why I am running for Superior Court. I enjoy the process of justice and the ability to ensure that the right result is determined and implemented in a fair and impartial manner. The opportunity to do that in a broader range of cases is my primary motivation to be a Superior Court Judge.
The greatest obstacles to justice are lack of money and effective legal assistance (and these are closely related). As I said above , creating online resources and reduced fee and free legal assistance would help.
All individuals do not have equal access to the courts. A good start (but only a beginning) would be reducing the use of arbitration agreements, creating reduced fee and free legal assistance programs, and creating easy to use forms and online resources for people researching their legal rights.
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