Debra Archuleta: LA County deserves a smarter brand of justice
No other candidate in this race can match my background, professional experience, and fierce commitment to justice.
Justice is the overarching goal of the criminal justice system regardless of whether you are a victim, a defendant, a member of the public, or a law enforcement officer. Yet, justice is often understood differently by each of these individuals. Justice is an ideal that we in the legal system strive for—equal access to the courts, an opportunity to be heard, fair treatment for all persons involved in court proceedings, and, most importantly, that we seek the truth. As Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. so eloquently stated, “injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere… whatever affects one directly, affects all indirectly.” This is especially true of the criminal justice system.
As the next elected LA County District Attorney, I will ensure that justice is applied fairly on a case-by-case basis, from the imposition of bail at the outset of a case all the way through sentencing and post-conviction proceedings. I will revoke blanket policies that deny victims and defendants individualized justice. Instead, I will follow the law as written. I will not selectively enforce laws and unfairly apply the law in doing so. I will ensure that both crime victims and defendants are treated respectfully in each and every case. Under my administration, victims will no longer face blame and ridicule for pursuing justice, and criminals will no longer evade meaningful consequences for their actions.
In addition, I will seek appropriate reforms so that the drug-addicted, mentally ill, and homeless members of our communities are required to pursue effective treatment and do not live under tarps and tents on the streets. To allow many of the most marginalized Angelenos to live in these conditions is patently inhumane and does not represent justice for them or the communities where they reside. We must collectively decide to stop normalizing the crisis of living on the streets and its consequences for residents, families, and businesses across Los Angeles County.
As a Deputy District Attorney for 26 years, I tried over 100 cases before a jury and worked for every elected District Attorney from Ira Reiner to Jackie Lacey.
As an LA County Superior Court Judge for the last 7 years, I have developed a balanced understanding of the criminal justice system after working in a variety of courts.
Most recently, I have served in Children’s Dependency Court, working with children and families impacted by the foster care system, homelessness, domestic abuse, and more. This assignment has made clear the intimate relationship between the criminal justice system and LA County’s most vulnerable children.
No other candidate in this race can match my background, professional experience, and fierce commitment to justice, which is why I am the most qualified candidate to become the next District Attorney of Los Angeles County.
Debra Archuleta is a candidate for Los Angeles District Attorney