The four attorneys running for an open judge's seat in Fresno County Superior Court participated in one of the first forums for the race Wednesday, drawing distinctions between themselves on the issues of experience, jury diversity and police bias.
On June 3, voters will have a chance to elect a replacement for Judge W. Kent Levis Jr., who is retiring.
The candidates include two deputy district attorneys, a private defense lawyer, and a high-ranking attorney in the Public Defender's Office.
Gary Shinaver, a chief public defender, won the endorsement of the La Raza Lawyers Association's Central Valley Chapter, which hosted the forum Wednesday night at the Downtown Club in Fresno. The forum drew about 30 people, a reflection of the low-profile nature of judges' races.
The candidates, however, insisted that the post is an important position -- one that can help address issues of inefficiency in the Fresno County judicial system and also address questions about whether the police, prosecutors and the courts are biased toward racial minorities.
"There is definitely an element of selective law enforcement," Shinaver said.
Defense attorney Glenn LoStracco agreed.
"I've read all too often in police reports that someone is pulled over and asked whether they have any guns or drugs in their car," he said. "I've never been asked that before -- even when I had a ponytail."
Deputy District Attorney Douglas Treisman said he believes racism exists, but said he did not think there are "tremendous abuses" by local police. Rather, he said, gangs are partially to blame for higher incarceration rates among racial minorities.
The candidates also disagreed on whether juries accurately reflect a cross-section of the local community. Shinaver, Treisman and LoStracco said they don't, and they suggested that steps should be taken to encourage more diverse juries.
Deputy District Attorney Jim Kelley, however, said he felt that the juries he's seen "reflect a broad spectrum of our society."
On the issue of experience, LoStracco, an attorney for more than 20 years, trumpeted himself as the only candidate who has been both a prosecutor and a defense attorney.
"I've tried cases from both sides," he said. "Unless you've done both -- you've listened to victims, you've listened to defendants -- you only know half the story."
Shinaver, who has been a chief public defender for 10 years, said his experience best qualifies him for the judicial post.
"As a public defender, you have to have an eye on the Constitutional issues," he said.
Kelley, who has been a prosecutor for 11 years, said that he will be impartial as a judge because "our oath and calling is justice and the truth."
Treisman, a prosecutor the last 19 years, said he has an upstanding reputation in the legal community. He said he always offers defendants a plea deal. Ten judges have endorsed him, Treisman said.
"I am the best qualified because of my experience and temperament," he said.
A few rules are needed to help foster a feeling of community. We encourage a free and open exchange of ideas in a climate of mutual respect, but any post that violates someone's right to use and enjoy fresnobee.com is prohibited. Before you post, please read the terms of use and obey these simple guidelines.
Here are the ground rules:
Contents of this site are © Copyright The Fresno Bee. All rights reserved.
E-Mail
Print
@Nyx.CommentBody@