Guest Commentary
by Jim Miller
I am running for Superior Court Judge, seat 25. The vote for judge is county-wide. So wherever you are in San Diego County you will be able to vote for the judges. It is hard to find information about judge candidates so here is a brief run down on my qualifications and the state of our court system.
My areas of experience are as follows: Judge Pro Tem, appointed County Hearing Officer to hear appeals from County departments, trial experience as an attorney in criminal and civil law, substantial family law experience, trial experience in Federal and State Court, certified as an arbitrator by the Better Business Bureau and the San Diego County Bar Association, owner of law firm and business, an NFL agent having represented over 200 professional athletes, and designated as an “expert” in California and Texas courts.
I’m rated as the most qualified candidate in my race through the independent organization, Judge Voter Guide (www.judgevoterguide.com) and through the vetting process conducted by the San Diego Lincoln Club’s committee of attorneys and judges. My endorsements include the California Republican Party and the local County Republican Party along with multiple elected officials, attorneys, judges and community leaders.
I grew up in the East County and graduated from Valhalla High School, then attended SDSU as a varsity athlete and business major. I earned a Juris Doctorate from Thomas Jefferson School of Law. After starting my career with a small downtown San Diego law firm I went solo. My current private practice has been based in El Cajon for over 14 years with active cases running in all of San Diego’s court venues. To judge our community it is believed that one should know our community. I’m married and the father of 4 children.
My basic judicial philosophy is to rule on the law, not legislate from the bench. The U.S. Constitution must be considered as the foundation of all laws and those that are not constitutional must fail. I will punish violent criminals in criminal court, will hear both sides fairly in civil and family court and will throw out frivolous lawsuits. Currently I have drafted legislation while working with Sen. Joel Anderson, Assembly Members Brian Jones, Nathan Fletcher and Toni Atkins in family law to correct the outcome in the Harris case where the wife, after being raped by her husband, was ordered to pay his attorney’s fees and spousal support in the divorce. AB 1522 has passed the Assembly and is headed to the Senate.
Over 90 percent of our judges are former government prosecutors. Only 35 percent of our courts are established for criminal cases. Our Family and Civil departments are currently overrun with cases and the system lacks judges with the practical experience in these fields to ensure the community is receiving fair justice in these venues. I’m the only candidate with the broad legal experience to handle all of the tough assignments I will face as a judge.
Remember to vote on election day and you can learn more about me at: www.jimmillerforjudge.com