Ahead of the June primary election, the Southern California News Group compiled a list of questions to pose to the candidates who wish to represent you. You can find the full questionnaire below. Questionnaires may have been edited for spelling, grammar, length and, in some instances, to remove hate speech and offensive language.
Name: Paul A. Thompson
Current job title: Deputy District Attorney
Age: 44
Incumbent: No
Other political positions held: None
City where you reside: Torrance
Campaign website or social media: votepaulthompson4judge.com
What do you consider to be your judicial philosophy? (Please answer in 200 words or less.)
I believe judges are first and foremost public servants. They should serve humbly, sacrifice for the good of the public and strive to put others before themselves. They should endeavor to be fair, just, equal and even-tempered. They should be empathetic, offended by inequality, injustice, suffering and pain.
The laws are constantly changing. Judges should be eager learners, open-minded, hardworking and decisive, but readily able to admit mistakes. They should set an example for others in their conduct and be the first to the courtroom in the morning. They should start every workday prepared, working early, late and on the weekends.
Judges should understand that their role is to implement the laws passed by the people’s elected representatives. They should not resist recent laws designed to favor diversion over jail. They should not resist laws designed to grant second chances.
Judges should strive to conduct themselves honorably. The public is served best by judges who do their jobs humbly, without seeking attention.
How do you think your personal experience — legal or otherwise — would inform your decisions as a judge? (Please answer in 200 words or less.)
I understand that power and money fuel injustice.
After having served as a sexual assault prosecutor for many years, in late 2019, I was assigned to investigate the Los Angeles Harvey Weinstein sexual assault case. After a grand jury investigation, I filed sexual assault charges against Mr. Weinstein in January 2020.
Mr. Weinstein used his wealth and power to build a cocoon of unaccountability, ensuring that he was able to avoid the consequences of his actions for decades. He reached monetary settlements with people he had allegedly abused and promoted enablers to help him cover up his alleged crimes. When we investigated Mr. Weinstein, those payouts and enablers were obstacles to justice.
In his defense, Mr. Weinstein assembled a top-notch team consisting of some of Southern California’s most talented lawyers and investigators, people with a long and successful history defending other high-profile cases.
Fortunately, I was also surrounded by very good attorneys and investigators. Because we had overwhelming evidence on our side, in late 2022, we secured rape and other sexual assault convictions against Mr. Weinstein for crimes he committed in 2013, belatedly delivering the accountability that he had avoided for far too long.
How would you approach situations where you have judicial discretion within the law? (Please answer in 200 words or less.)
I have a strong commitment to accountability. I also believe in mercy. My experience has taught me that not everyone starts life with the advantages of safe communities, quality education and a stable home life, and I recognize that some people who started life in trying circumstances work very hard to improve themselves later on.
Our criminal justice system is changing. Recent changes in the law emphasize diversion and increase opportunities for second chances. Judges should embrace the spirit of the laws passed by our policymakers. Judges should guard public safety, but every individual in a courtroom should be treated individually. A person’s efforts at improvement should be encouraged and recognized. Grace should be extended.
Abraham Lincoln, perhaps our nation’s most successful president, determinedly led this country through the Civil War, ushering in a new period of freedom, liberty and justice. He gave his life for those ideals. No one can doubt his grit. What is less known about him is that he frequently displayed mercy, liberally using his commutation and pardoning power for deserving individuals.
Seeking justice takes courage, but so does displaying mercy. As a judge, I would have the courage to do both.
How would you weigh your own personal beliefs against the law, should they conflict? (Please answer in 200 words or less.)
The role of a judge is not to implement the judge’s own personal views but to follow the will of the people, as demonstrated through the laws passed by their elected representatives. I would follow the law, including recent laws designed to reduce prison overcrowding. I would not refuse to implement those laws, as my opponent too often has, leading to multiple reversals by the Court of Appeal.
Judges have broad discretion to implement the law in a way that favors justice. I would always keep that in mind while following the law.
As an existing member of the legal community, how would you handle potential claims of misconduct against local attorneys, law firms or law enforcement organizations? (Please limit your answer to 200 words or less.)
Members of the legal community, including judges, attorneys and law enforcement personnel, are entrusted with upholding the integrity of the court system, a critical responsibility. In some areas of our community, there is no faith in the court system, leading to vigilantism, which leads to needless death and suffering, including by innocent bystanders.
Judges must take our obligation to administer justice seriously to restore faith in the courts. For that reason, attorneys, law firms and law enforcement organizations that violate the law or engage in other misconduct must be held accountable.
One of my principal motivations for running for Seat 116 is to restore honor to that seat. My opponent has been admonished by the Commission on Judicial Performance for misconduct and for abuse of his power. People who are entrusted with enforcing the laws should hold themselves to the highest standards.
What is your philosophy on judicial activism and a judge’s potential role in shaping or setting public policy? (Please limit your answer to 200 words or less.)
We need judges who respect democracy and the rule of law for the court system to maintain its credibility. They cannot simply do whatever they want, regardless of the legality of their decisions.
We deserve judges who respect the law.