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MEET THE CANDIDATE - Judicial candidate Paul Thompson is running a more traditional contest for the bench as he is weaving strong political support with his 19 years of courtroom experience.
He is challenging incumbent Patrick "Pat" Connolly, regarded as both colorful and controversial in a race where sitting judges are rarely challenged.
With over 70 trials, 1,000 preliminary hearings and the high-profile prosecution of Harvey Weinstein, Thompson has successfully secured a slew of Democratic Party club endorsements including the LA County Democrats and numerous private sector labor unions including the operating engineers, painters and other trade skill support.
Thompson earned his bachelor's degree in history from Kent State University in 2003 and his J.D. from the University of California, Los Angeles, in 2006. Thompson began working in the Los Angeles County District Attorney's Office, becoming a deputy district attorney. Thompson was admitted to the California bar on December 1, 2006.
Here is the interview with the candidate and the primary is June 2d:
Judicial Philosophy:
How would you describe your judicial philosophy, and how does it guide your decisions in difficult cases?
Los Angeles' strength is its diversity. We Angelenos come from a myriad of places, cultures and ethnicities. I've been doing jury trials for close to two decades, and I've presented and argued cases to nearly 1,000 jurors all across Los Angeles including in Torrance, Compton, Inglewood, Downtown Los Angeles, Whittier and Lancaster. We share the same moral compass and usually agree on what is right and on what is wrong. However, people can allow other considerations to influence their judgment. Chief among those influences are wealth and power. Whether it be as a deputy district attorney or as a judge, I think it is very important to keep focused on doing right by people, all the people, not just a select few wealthy and powerful individuals.
Although people generally know what is the right thing to do, they often succumb to the pressure to do something other than what is right when they are faced with the pressures that attend wealth and power. I believe it is important to do what is right, even when, or especially when, it entails sacrifice.
Experience:
What in your legal background best prepares you to serve as a judge in the Los Angeles courts?\
I was the lead prosecutor on the Los Angeles Harvey Weinstein sexual assault case and took a leading role within the Los Angeles District Attorney's Office trying to seek equal justice for the victims of wealthy and powerful offenders. It wasn't always easy. I faced pushback from some people within my office, and I faced one of the best legal teams assembled to defend a client in Los Angeles. I knew it would be tough, but I would not back away from doing the right thing, even if difficult. Through this process of running for judge against a sitting judge with a lengthy disciplinary history, I have learned that courage to do the right thing is a trait that we should celebrate more in our judges.
Fairness & Bias:
What steps would you take to recognize and minimize bias in your courtroom?
You have to recognize that you view the world through the lens of your own upbringing and culture. You must also get others in a courtroom setting to understand that and actively work to avoid bias so that the courtroom can be as bias free and fair as possible.
Local Challenges:
How should judges address issues like case backlogs, homelessness, and mental health when they intersect with the justice system?
Homelessness and inability to effectively deal with people struggling with mental health concerns are some of the top problems plaguing Los Angeles. We need to embrace the diversion programs that our elected officials have begun adopting and understand that jailing people disrupts people's lives, their jobs and their ability to be productive members of society.
Accountability:
How do you balance judicial independence with accountability to the public?
Judicial independence and accountability are not at odds with each other. Our elected representatives in California have adopted laws designed to more effectively deal with the problems that we are facing. We need judges that embrace those laws that promote diversion and second chances rather than refusing to implement them.
Campaign nuts & Bolts:
How much do you plan to spend and please list any significant endorsements.
I am proud to be endorsed by the Los Angeles County Democratic Party, Avance Democratic Club, Stonewall Democratic Club, the Los Angeles and Orange County Building and Contruction Trade Unions, the Sentinel and I-Chinese American Political Action Committee.
I plan to spend my money on targeted digital advertising. My race will be decided in the June 2nd primary. I need to identify likely voters in an off-year primary and tell them about the important issues in my down-ballot race.
(Nick Antonicello is a thirty-three-year resident of Venice and is covering the numerous judicial races on the June 2nd Primary ballot. Have a tip or take on these judicial contests, contact him via e-mail at nantoni@mindspring.com. Antonicello is a contributing writer for LA City Watch.)
