Judge Karlin’s Reelection

In its endorsement for Los Angeles County Superior Court (editorial, May 29), The Times has:

Promoted the dangerous notion that a small, vocal minority can dictate and impose its view on a larger majority of the community.

Demonstrated its concern for the people by assaulting the judiciary, the one institution sworn to protect individual rights.

Threatened the constitutional guarantee of a free and independent judiciary, one which is supposed to be above prevailing politics and pressure groups.

We live in a country, under a government, which is of, by and for the people; not of, by and for intimidating pressure groups, vocal bullies and political opportunists.

If judges have to look over their shoulders as they decide a case; if they have to test the political winds in order to arrive at a politically correct verdict--then the judicial system and the freedoms it guarantees will be destroyed and the people it serves made the ultimate victims.

Many of the same people who benefited through the years from an independent and courageous judiciary are now leading the assault on its integrity and ability to rule impartially; to dispense justice as it should be dispensed: by the law, not by what plays better on the street, on the evening news and in political ads.

It is all well and good to disagree with, and peacefully protest, a judicial opinion or verdict; such dissent is fundamental to our society. But it is criminally wrong to harass and threaten the judge who hands down a decision, and it is thoroughly irresponsible to allow a minority to superimpose its will on the majority.

My sentence was well within legal and judicial guidelines. My approach, analysis and rationale were affirmed by the California Court of Appeal. It was made after careful deliberation, after a painstaking consideration of all the evidence presented in the court and the defendant who was before the court. Justice is not a popularity contest; the law is not up for bidding among politicians, pressure groups and vocal bullies who think disagreement means one has the right to trash the entire judicial system.

This judicial race is not about the tragic death of young girl; it is not about who was right or wrong. It is about upholding our constitutional guarantee of an independent and free judiciary, one serving every citizen. It is about the rule of law over judicial politics and intimidation tactics. It is about the integrity of the system that protects every freedom you enjoy.

JOYCE ANN KARLIN, Judge, Los Angeles Superior Court