Egan, Treisman line up big endorsements in race for Fresno County judge. Here’s our Q&A
Former colleagues in the Fresno County District Attorney’s Office are vying to become a Fresno County Superior Court judge, and each has lined up high-powered endorsements.
Elizabeth Egan, 60, who served as Fresno County DA for 12 years starting in 2002 and totaled nearly 20 years in the county office, is facing Douglas Treisman, 59, a senior deputy district attorney who has extensive trial experience prosecuting murderers, gang members, sex offenders and career criminals. Treisman joined the Fresno County DA’s office in 1989. He lost in a 2008 bid for an open judge seat.
Egan and Treisman are running for the position that will become vacant with the retirement of Alan M. Simpson, who was appointed to the bench in 2000 and won three terms unopposed.
A California Superior Court judge receives an annual salary of $213,833. The term is six years.
Egan has received the endorsements of Fresno County Sheriff Margaret Mims and former sheriffs Steve Magarian and Richard Pierce. Others backing Egan include former Fresno mayor Alan Autry, former Fresno County supervisor Henry R. Perea and retired state Supreme Court Justice Marvin Baxter.
Treisman is endorsed by District Attorney Lisa Smittcamp (who beat Egan in the 2014 DA’s race), the Fresno Prosecutors’ Association, the District Attorney Investigators’ Association, Chief Deputy District Attorney/Clovis Councilmember Bob Whalen and Fresno City Councilmembers Garry Bredefeld, Mike Karbassi and Miguel Arias.
The candidates provided answers to questions from The Bee:
What qualifies you to be a Superior Court judge?
Egan: My experience as district attorney makes me uniquely qualified to be a Superior Court Judge and will allow me to hit the ground running as judge. I spent many years as a successful trial attorney in the Superior Court on behalf of the Fresno County District Attorney’s office. My dedication to helping crime victims and my success as a prosecutor led me to run for district attorney – a position I held for 12 years. As the first woman elected district attorney in Fresno County, I honed the skills of making informed, deliberate, unbiased decisions – just what a judge must do every day. That is why I have received the endorsement of our Sheriff Margaret Mims, former sheriffs Steve Magarian and Richard Pierce, and local attorneys and judges.
Treisman: I am currently lead attorney for the Writs and Appeals Unit of the District Attorney’s Office, focusing on ensuring correct implementation of the law and justice. Over years in this effort I have had great success reversing mistaken rulings that were not supported by the law. I have successfully litigated in every level of court in our state, including trial courts, the 5th District Court of Appeal and our Supreme Court. I have been a prosecutor for over 30 years and began my career in civil practice at Baker Manock & Jensen here in Fresno, where I worked with exceptional and seasoned attorneys in real property, estate and trusts, divorce, business and medical malpractice defense.
What will be your priorities if elected to the bench?
Treisman: As a judge, it is my mission to strengthen confidence in the courts by demonstrating that justice is sought, that truth is at the heart of our proceedings, that accountability is a central tenant of seeking justice, that compassion and fairness are also a welcome part of the process, and that a strong judiciary is central to a confident and safe community. And this must be done on a case-by-case basis because justice is not a formula, it is a process that addresses accountability, consequences, deterrence and improvement.
Egan: My first priority as a judge is to ensure that victims’ rights are respected, and justice is delivered in a fair and timely fashion. Violent criminals and sexual predators will be held accountable. As the district attorney responsible for overseeing cases such as the Marcus Wesson mass murder, I know that our justice system must be fair, impartial and resolute. I would be very supportive of the creation of a night court several times a month at the Juvenile Justice campus to allow working parents to be at their child’s court hearings. I learned as district attorney that even though resources are scarce, with creativity and perseverance good ideas can be implemented.
Why should voters choose you over your opponent?
Egan: As stated earlier, I am qualified for the position of judge. I have been tested. I have personally tried tough cases: armed robbery, burglary, sexual assault and domestic violence. As district attorney, I led the largest law office in the Central Valley, and we successfully did more with less while assuring that victims’ voices would always be heard. I also have several years of civil law practice. No candidate has successfully handled the tough challenges I have. My commitment to the safety and well-being of our community is reflected in the support my candidacy for judge has received.
Treisman: Experience, knowledge of the law, respect for the legal process and proceedings, a history of honest and ethical practice, good judgment and a respectful demeanor are the ingredients for a good judge. Because of my experience, success in the courts, broad knowledge of the law and process and my passion for the law, I have these qualities and am the superior choice over Ms. Egan. By contrast with my own qualities, my opponent has not appeared on a substantive matter in a courtroom in over 15 years. Unlike myself, she has little to no experience analyzing the law to prepare briefs or argue points of law. And, Ms. Egan has very little in the way of trial experience. I am by far more familiar with court process and procedure, and I have an exceptional record of sound judgment and integrity.
What caused you to pursue the legal profession?
Treisman: It was my belief then, and has proven to be so, that law is a very rewarding profession and one that affords those eager to address individual and community problems the skills and tools to contribute and meaningfully assist in bringing about change for the better. At times saving lives, at times assisting lives to move forward, at other times helping to resolve disputes, seek compensation, or find justice for harm done; I have found each of these to be so, by serving the needs of civil clients, seeking justice through prosecution, volunteering my skills and thoughts, or by sharing my time to inspire young people to read or strive to succeed.
Egan: I decided to begin law school after working as a volunteer rape crisis counselor. It was my first encounter with the courts and the justice system. It was personally rewarding helping heroic victims reclaim their lives. I knew I could help even more as a prosecutor. I’m proud to say that I attended San Joaquin College of Law in Fresno as did many outstanding local attorneys and judges. San Joaquin College Law is an absolute gem in the Central Valley. I began my legal career in the Fresno County District Attorney’s office and have served the community ever since.
Unopposed
Also creating a vacancy on the Fresno bench is the departure of Judge Don Penner, who chose not to run for re-election. Penner was appointed by former Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger in 2006.
Running unopposed for Penner’s seat is Gabriel Brickey, a 15-year-veteran with the Fresno County District Attorney’s office. As a district attorney, Brickey has worked several assignments including juvenile hall, felony trials, identity theft, sexual assault-child abuse, gang unit and homicide.
