League of Women Voters of California Education Fund
	Los Angeles County, CA June 8, 2010 Election
	Candidates Answer Questions on the Issues Judge-Superior Court; County of Los Angeles; Office 107

The questions were prepared by the League of Women Voters of Los Angeles County and asked of all candidates for this office.     See below for questions on Qualifications, Reason for Running, Experiences and Personal Qualities Click on a name for candidate information.   See also more information about this contest. 1. Please provide a brief list of your qualifications in bullet format, using an asterisk (*) to represent a bullet. (No more than 25 words for this section.) Answer from R. Stephen "Steve" Bolinger: Ability to be fair Summary Court Martial Judge Military Legal Hearing Officer Temporary Judge (Voluntary) LA Superior Court Arbitrator Mediator Trial Counsel with 118 Trials Answer from Tony de los Reyes: Extensive litigation experience in California and other states for more than 40 years. Public service for 27 years, including the Los Angeles Police Commission. Answer from Valerie Salkin: Criminal prosecutor for twelve years in the L.A. District Attorney's Office Two years in the Hardcore Gang Division prosecuting gang murders Completed 100 jury trials 2. Why are you running for Superior Court Judge? (No more than 75 words total for questions 2 and 3.) Answer from R. Stephen "Steve" Bolinger: This is the natural progression of my career. I've spent my life protecting people and this is another way to protect them. I want to preserve people's rights, property, liberty and dreams. I will oversee trials needed to resolve legal grievances between disparate parties with fairness and openness. I want to ensure that both citizens and businesses wishing to have their day in court will find a fair and just man ready, willing and able to resolve their issues. Answer from Tony de los Reyes: I have more than 40 years' courtroom experience, as an attorney for Plaintiffs and Defendants. I also have a passion for public service, as demonstrated by more than 27 years' service on Commissions for the City of Los Angeles, including the Police Commission. Answer from Valerie Salkin: We need strong judges who will enforce California's tough laws on gang and gun violence while guarding the rights of victims, defendants, and witnesses. My cases have given me courtroom expertise and a broad perspective on our justice system. I want to use my knowledge and skills to continue my career in public service. Website: http://www.valeriesalkin.com. 3. What experiences and personal qualities best equip you to serve as judge? (No more than 75 words total for questions 2 and 3.) Answer from R. Stephen "Steve" Bolinger: The Judicial Elections Eevaluation Committee of the Los Angeles County Bar Association has judged me as Well Qualified for Superior Court Office No. 107. I received the rating based upon the Committee's findings that I "possess the professional ability, experience, competence, integrity, and temperament indicative of superior fitness to perform the judicial function with a high degree of skill and effectiveness". I understand the law incredibly well. I represented defendants and plaintiffs in a variety of legal issues and conducted 118 trials. . I have been a voluntary temporary Judge, Certified Judge for Military Summary Courts Martial and Superior Court Arbitrator, I have practiced law in state and federal court. The most important qualification is my ability to be fair. Working in the legal system is my passion and seeking fairness in the courtroom is my forte. Answer from Valerie Salkin: I am open-minded and fair. My twelve years working in courtrooms have prepared me to become a judge. Answer from Tony de los Reyes: Extensive courtroom experience as an advocate and also having adjudicated more than 1,000 administrative appeals and more than 60 LAPD Boards of Rights, and the necessary maturity and temperament. Responses to questions asked of each candidate are reproduced as submitted to the League.  Until 5:00 p.m. on April 5, 2010, candidates for Superior Court Judge must limit their answers to 100 words total for all questions so that a paper Voters Guide may be published. Specific word limits are as follows: 25 words for question 1; 75 words total for questions 2 and 3. After 5:00 p.m. on April 5, 2010, word limits will no longer apply. The order of the candidates is random and changes daily. Candidates who did not respond are not listed on this page.