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2020 election: Q&A with Paul Starita, candidate for San Diego County Superior Court

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The San Diego Union-Tribune Editorial Board recently emailed a series of questions to Paul Starita, who is running for Superior Court judge, seat 30, against Tim Nader. Here are the questions and responses.

Please explain your legal background and why you are qualified to be a judge.

My vast legal experience, consisting of prosecuting and defending both criminal and civil cases as well as serving as a judicial officer, makes me uniquely qualified to handle any matter presented to me in a fair and impartial manner. The San Diego County Bar Association has rated me “Exceptionally Qualified” to serve as a Superior Court Judge.

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For almost 17 years, I have served our County as an Assistant U.S. Attorney. As a federal prosecutor, I investigated and prosecuted well over 500 felony cases including drug trafficking/organized crime, corruption and violent crime. Presently a civil trial attorney at the U.S. Attorney’s Office, I defend the United States in civil lawsuits and prosecute civil health care and procurement fraud cases.

Now a Marine Colonel, Judge Advocate, I have served on active duty and in the Reserve for 30 years. I was assigned to various leadership and legal roles including military prosecutor, military defense counsel and regional environmental counsel. Also, I served four years as a Military Judge and Senior Military Judge where I presided over jury and bench trials, motion hearings and plea and sentencing hearings. Currently, I serve as an Appellate Judge on the Navy-Marine Corps Court of Criminal Appeals.

Between my active duty service and that at the U.S. Attorney’s Office, I spent two years as a civil litigation associate at a mid-size law firm where I litigated matters in Superior Courts in Los Angeles, Orange and San Diego counties.

Read our Q&A with the other candidate in this race below:

Tim Nader is a candidate for Superior Court judge, Office 30.

Sept. 24, 2020

Why are you seeking this position?

I am seeking to become a Superior Court Judge because I want to continue to serve our community in the most impactful way possible. I have dedicated my life to public service and I view service as a Superior Court Judge as the pinnacle of public service. My extensive legal and life experience and personal characteristics will enable me to serve with distinction and make a positive impact in our community.

Have recent racial justice protests changed your view of the criminal justice system? If so, how?

The recent racial justice protests raise issues that have plagued our nation since its formation. Our criminal justice system is based on rights and freedoms guaranteed by our Constitution, but it will always be imperfect because human beings administer it. As such, each of us must honor the principles of equality and justice enshrined in our Constitution. Courts must continue to strive to improve the system through self-evaluation and training on implicit or unconscious bias to ensure that these principles are realized for every citizen. “Liberty and justice for all” has to be more than a slogan. We must live it every day.

Why should voters choose you over your opponent in this election?

Voters should choose the most qualified candidate to serve them as a Superior Court judge. I am honored that the San Diego County Bar Association has rated me “Exceptionally Qualified” — its highest rating. The Bar Association’s rating process is nonpartisan and based on 15 different factors. Those factors include fairness and objectivity, integrity and honesty, decisiveness, judgment and common sense, judicial temperament, knowledge of the law, professional reputation, trial experience, intellect and ability, tolerance and lack of bias, caseload management, courtesy and patience, writing and research skills and compassion and understanding. I am best qualified to serve our citizens and would be honored and humbled by their vote.

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