Anna Slotky Reitano is running for Los Angeles County Superior Court Judge, Office 65, in the nonpartisan Nov. 3 general election. She faces Justin Allen Clayton.

Asked why she is seeking the bench, Reitano said in our candidate questionnaire: "I spent more than a decade as a Public Defender, standing beside people whose freedom and futures were on the line. Public service through the law has been my life's work. I want to bring that commitment to the bench."

She added: "I know how much depends on the person wearing the robe. People deserve a judge who has done the work, understands the stakes and gives them a fair hearing."

Candidate information

Party affiliation: Reitano said in our questionnaire: "I am a registered Democrat. Judicial office is nonpartisan, and I am running to serve everyone in Los Angeles County."

Education: Reitano said in our questionnaire: "I am a product of public school and earned my Bachelor of Arts from Occidental College and my Juris Doctor from UC Davis School of Law. I chose Davis for its commitment to public interest law because I knew I wanted a career in public service."

She added: "During law school, I received a Witkin Award for Academic Excellence and served as an editor of Environs, the environmental law and policy journal."

Family: Reitano said in our questionnaire: "I am married and have three sons. Our family is involved in local schools, youth sports and our community." She added: "I also have a brother with schizophrenia who has been involved in the court system. I know what it feels like to worry about someone you love and struggle to help them navigate that system."

Experience and public service

Reitano described her work history in our questionnaire: "I am a Deputy County Counsel for Los Angeles County, supervising civil litigation and advising departments responsible for youth development, community safety, and justice-related services."

She added: "Previously, I spent ten and a half years as a Deputy Public Defender and trial attorney, handling misdemeanor, juvenile and serious felony cases, including jury trials and juvenile adjudications." Earlier in her career, she said, she "represented public safety employees in labor and administrative matters, including disciplinary proceedings and Civil Service Commission hearings."

Reitano said she brings "more than 17 years as a licensed attorney and over 20 years of public service." She said she "was elected to the Los Angeles County Public Defender Association board and served as its treasurer."

On the issues

Differences from opponent: Reitano said in our questionnaire: "The clearest difference is the depth and range of my legal experience. I have practiced longer and worked across criminal, juvenile, civil, labor, administrative and government law." She added: "A judge must evaluate arguments from every side. My career has required me to do that in different courtrooms, under different bodies of law and on behalf of clients with very different responsibilities and needs."

Key accomplishments: Reitano said: "I have completed dozens of jury trials and juvenile adjudications, most of which were serious felony cases." She noted she "was also among the first attorneys in my office to litigate a Racial Justice Act claim. It ultimately resulted with a dismissal."

Mental health and courts: On her campaign website, Reitano wrote that the bench needs judges who "understand mental health disorders, developmental disabilities, and are willing to use the tools available through the law to protect public safety through ensuring access to treatment, including collaborative courts and mental health diversion."

Court administration: Reitano wrote on her campaign website that "the public must trust that courts will treat them with dignity and respect" and pledged to "run a prepared and efficient courtroom where everyone is heard and due process is protected."

Candidate responses were collected through the Pasadena Ledger's candidate questionnaire. Answers have been edited for length but not substance.