Times’ Picks for Judges

One of the most difficult decisions voters face is deciding how to vote in judicial races, especially in instances where no incumbent judge is on the ballot with a record of service and perhaps name recognition.

As a rule, most voters are in the dark in such low-visibility contests. Never mind knowing anything about the candidates; voters very often don’t even know who they are.

The so-called contests for election as judge to Superior Court often aren’t truly races at all. Campaigning is minimal. There are usually no specific legal issues in dispute. The attorneys seeking judgeships don’t run scorched-earth campaigns or trash each other, as candidates for other public offices do. They are legal professionals in nonpartisan races that usually draw campaign funds only from friends, relatives and the candidate’s own bank account. Even some judges and many other attorneys are equally unsure about who may be best qualified.

That describes the situation in the March 5 election, in which 11 candidates are seeking to replace four retiring judges.

There is also a fifth contest not visible on the ballot. It’s a write-in campaign launched after filings closed to unseat an incumbent judge now facing criminal charges.

Although many voters may not be too familiar with everyone on the ballot, they generally know what qualities they want their judges to have. All surely will be looking for someone who is fair, independent, knows the law and has integrity, compassion, patience, experience, a solid record of performance, the proper judicial temperament and the ability to see the issue and make a decision. And, of course, a judge should have good judgment.

To help voters make an informed decision on the most qualified candidates for the open seats, we interviewed all of them. We also checked with others in the court system in a position to evaluate the candidates’ qualifications and potential. As a result, we found the following candidates best qualified and urge their election to Superior Court.

Kimberly Menninger, Office No. 3: In 14 years in the district attorney’s office, she has prosecuted gang members and murderers, and launched and overseen a truancy response program designed to keep children in school and out of trouble. Menninger is a supervisor in charge of the Harbor Justice Center in Newport Beach. Outside of the courtroom she is active working with at-risk children. She has the legal knowledge and solid judgment that has won her strong backing from judges and the law enforcement community. We, too, urge her election.

Lance Jensen, Office No. 8: A former “Outstanding Prosecutor” of the year selected by the Assn. of Orange County Deputy District Attorneys, Jensen can bring a varied court background to the bench. He is assigned to the Adult Gang Unit of the district attorney’s office, but for three years he investigated and tried cases involving both civil and criminal violations of environmental law. His range of experience and sensitivity to the rights of both victims and defendants make him a good choice for judge.

Kelly Mac Eachern, Office No. 22: Judges should have extensive trial experience, and no one in the district attorney’s office, and perhaps few out of it, have tried as many cases in Orange County as she has in her 20 years as prosecutor. Mac Eachern has specialized in prosecuting child abuse and domestic violence cases, but also recognizes the need for treatment facilities and rehabilitation. She faces a tough challenge from another deputy district attorney, but Mac Eachern is easily the most qualified of the three seeking the open seat. She has the best judicial temperament and would be fair and impartial. We strongly support her election.

Glenda Sanders, Office No. 27: The contest for this open seat has a field of strong candidates, but Sanders is the best choice. Her extensive experience in both civil and criminal law makes her so. So does her proven ability to understand complex legal issues and bring opposing sides to common ground and reach a settlement. She has a feeling for both the letter of the law and the spirit and humanity of it. She knows the law, and teaches it as well. She can bring to the Superior Court bench much-needed experience in complex civil law and business cases.

Sanders is the most impressive candidate seeking a seat on the Superior Court bench in Orange County this election and should be an outstanding judge.

We are not making an endorsement in Office No. 21 in the write-in campaign to unseat Judge Ronald C. Kline. He faces federal and state criminal charges for allegedly molesting a child and possessing child pornography. No one filed to run against him before the deadline, so he is running unopposed on the ballot. But nine candidates have taken out papers to wage write-in campaigns to unseat him. The deadline for filing papers and being certified as an official write-in candidate is Feb. 19.

The write-in route is probably the toughest way to win an election. But that shouldn’t discourage voters from trying to unseat Kline.

The list of official write-in candidates will be available at each polling place. Voters should ask to see the list, write the name of their choice as it appears on the list on the blank line under Judge Kline’s name--and be sure to punch out the ballot square at the end of that line to record the vote.

For the four other judicial races, recording a vote is easier. Just punch the ballot squares after the names of Kimberly Menninger, Lance Jensen, Kelly Mac Eachern and Glenda Sanders.