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Holly Nadine Mitchell is a deputy Kern County district attorney.  The following information was obtained from the California Bar Association Web site. This entry will be updated when she responds to The Californian's candidate questionnaire and supplemental judicial questions. You are invited to post your comments and questions concerning this candidate. The candidate is invited to respond directly onto this blog. If he chooses not to, The Californian will attempt to obtain answers to your questions.

Undergraduate School: California State University, Dominguez Hills

Law School: Howard University School of Law, Washington, D.C.

Status: Active

Admitted to the California Bar: Jan. 25, 1983

Disciplinary record: None

Californian Questionnaire

Name: Holly Mitchell

Other name(s) used: Holly Okafor

Office sought: Superior Court Judge

Web site address: www.HollyMitchellforjudge.com (under construction)

Date and place of birth: 1956 in Harbor  City, CA

Spouse’s name: Ronnie Mitchell

Number of children and ages: 6 Total ( 3 of my own & 3 stepchildren)

Current occupation/employer: Deputy District Attorney in Kern County District Attorney’s Office

List employment history (past 20 years):  Kern County District Attorney

Professional licenses: Member California State Bar

How long have you lived in the jurisdiction you seek election? Since 1983

Political offices you have held: None

Political offices you has sought: None

Board memberships/Community activities: Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc.

Education: BA degree from Cal-Sate University Dominguez Hills in 1979 Double major: Political Science & African American Studies
J.D. Degree from Howard University School of Law in 1982

Military: None

Describe anything you have published, invented, discovered, painted, etc., and events or hobbies that would be interesting for a biographical story: I write original skits and short plays for various auxiliaries and groups at my church, St. John Missionary Baptist Church.

Campaign committee members:
Daphne Harley, Linda McKnight, Mike Yraceburn, Craig Smith, Wendy Avila, Ronnie Mitchell, Janet Crosby, Raquell Jones, Ben  Lopez, Phyllis Nance, Edward Nance, Kathleen Kress, Tamie Triplett, Linda McKnight, Vernon McKnight

State or Federal campaign ID number:  1304553

List all criminal convictions or pleas in this county and others: None


List all civil court judgments against you or any business you have had a financial interest in (partnership, sole proprietor, corporation) in this county and others (include year):
After separating from my first husband in 1988 (20 years ago), a lawsuit was filed against me in 1989 by Higher Education Assistance Foundation for my Student Loan.  At the beginning of my legal separation, my ex-husband did not accept financial responsibility for any of our marital debt. As a result, I feil behind in repayment of my student loan due to my overwhelming financial responsibility, as a single mother of two toddlers (18 months and 3 yeas of age),who was pregnant with a third child at the time of the separation. Nevertheless, the matter was resolved by way of Stipulated Judgment and repayment terms were reached.

SUPPLEMENTAL QUESTIONS


Why did you become a lawyer?
I always had a passion for the challenge of debate. As a child, I dreamed of becoming a trial attorney, arguing my case before a jury in the courtroom and helping other children.  I have always enjoyed the art of written and verbal communication.  I’ve learned to enjoy using words and evidence to persuade others in writing and public speaking. As a prosecutor, I’ve enjoyed having a role in upholding the law in our community, whether it be prosecuting the thief or drug dealer, establishing paternity and enforcing the child support laws, bringing an abducted child back to his parent or compelling a truant minor to go to school. I have found becoming a lawyer to be a very rewarding career choice.


Have you been disciplined in any way by a Bar Association or successfully sued for malpractice? No


Why do you want to become a judge? I consider it an honor to serve our community as a judicial officer. I have the work experience, background, knowledge, education, confidence and skills to be an effective, fair, honest and firm judge.

What is the nature of your law practice?
I am a public prosecutor for the County of Kern. Throughout my career, I have prosecuted various types of crimes.

How often have you gone to trial?
1983 – 1988: approx.  5-7 per year
1989-1999: 2
2000 – present:  approx. 6-7


How often have you tried a case before a jury?
Throughout my legal career, I have periodically gone to trials. During the first five years of my career, I was assigned to the criminal division where jury and court trials were a normal part of my weekly job duties. After I changed assignments to the Child Support Division, I had fewer trials and more short hearings to establish paternity, child support, establish payment on arrearage, orders of exam and contempt of court actions.
My total career I have tried approximately 30-40 jury trials.


Are you qualified to argue a case before the Supreme Court?
Yes

Have you serve pro bono as an attorney for a client or
organization?  No


Have you served as a judge pro tem, mediator, arbitrator or hearing officer? No


What is your judicial philosophy? 

A judge, has a sworn duty to enforce the laws of the people of the State of California. A judge is entrusted with the responsibility to uphold the law. Whether the case is criminal, civil, family law or injunctive in nature, the citizens that come before the court are entitled to present their case to a fair and impartial judge.  The decisions from the bench should be based upon the evidence presented in the courtroom.  There is no place for bias or preconceived ideas. The duty of the judge is to honor the law.  A judge honors the law by listening and hearing the evidence, interpreting and applying the law and making a ruling based upon the evidence presented in the courtroom.  It is not the role of the court to engage in judicial activism.  A Superior Court judge acts as a steward of the law for the People. As judge, it would be my public duty and the people’s expectation that I live up to that stewardship by applying the law in a fair, firm and efficient manner. This requires the ability to make difficult decisions with confidence and integrity. I am prepared and equipped with the qualities necessary to fulfill these duties.