--- ![](https://www.citywatchla.com/images/stories/Apr-2026/027c.jpg) [ ELECTION 2026 ](https://www.citywatchla.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=category&id=401) # Judicial Candidate Donna Tryfman Discusses Experience, Approach to the Bench April 06 2026 Written by Nick Antonicello. [](https://www.addtoany.com/share) [Comments](#disqus_thread) EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW - I’ve interviewed dozens of candidates for the Los Angeles County bench over the years, and the conversations often go beyond resumes and legal credentials. This weekend, I spoke with Donna Tryfman, a longtime public defender with more than 30 years of experience, including work in the Major Cases Unit handling serious criminal matters. She has tried over 100 jury cases and previously served as President of the Public Defenders Association. Originally from New York and now a Beverly Hills resident, Tryfman is a graduate of Brandeis University and earned her law degree from the University of La Verne College of Law while working. She is active in the community, having served as Chair of the Beverly Hills Rent Stabilization Board and previously running for the local school board. Tryfman has received endorsements from dozens of judges and former LA County District Attorney Steve Cooley. “My decisions will be based on the facts,” she said. “I need to know the wheels of justice turn correctly.” Outside the courtroom, she enjoys music, concerts, and theater. Below is the full interview. **Judicial Philosophy & Role:** **How do you define the proper role of a judge, and how do you balance applying the law as written with ensuring fair outcomes in individual cases?** The proper role of a judge is to be a neutral arbiter who applies the law fairly and consistently. A judge’s role is not to be a policymaker or advocate. The responsibility is to apply the law in an even-handed manner and to respect the process and the litigants. A judge must balance the law with fairness. The law provides the standards, but discretion provides that its application is not mechanical. By utilizing discretion, this is the area where a judge can ensure that each case heard is decided on its individual circumstances. The balance lay in fidelity to the law recognizing that discretion must be utilized consistently with a regard to individual facts. **Bias, Fairness, and Equity:** **What steps will you take to recognize and mitigate implicit bias in your courtroom, especially given the diversity of Los Angeles County?** Implicit bias is part of human nature. Everyone carries it, and a jurist is no different. Recognizing one’s biases requires self-awareness. I have committed to implicit bias recognition and training in my current role and would commit to it as an ongoing activity because self-awareness is always evolving. Second, I would model the behavior I expect ---respect, patience, proper use of identifying pronouns, and use of interpreters. If a litigant feels respected and heard, it goes a long way to how that person feels regarding their access to justice. Court proceedings must be transparent and whenever possible, explained to the litigants in simple, clear language. If a person feels heard, they do not feel invisible, even if a ruling did not go their way. When decisions are explained and tied to objective factors, it reduces the risk that unconscious bias influences outcomes. Finally, tone, body language, and communication style also affects whether people feel heard. **Criminal Justice Approach:** **How do you approach decisions around bail, sentencing, and diversion programs, particularly for nonviolent offenses?** Pretrial custody decisions should not be based on punishment. Every person who comes before the court charged with a crime is presumed innocent. The starting point for any bail analysis is the legal standard. The legal standard is whether the person will return to court and what are the implications on public safety. Where conditions can assure public safety, I would consider a less restrictive means of detainment. Where the conditions cannot assure public safety which are situations that are clearly defined by a legal standard, a custodial environment would be appropriate. Sentencing decisions are likewise based on legal standards. The Penal Code prescribes certain ranges for sentencing, low, middle, high term. At times, enhancements for certain conduct is alleged and may increase a sentence. The law allows for analysis and consideration of aggravating and mitigating factors. It is this portion of sentencing analysis that requires independent and individual circumstances analysis. Judicial discretion matters most in this instance. It must be exercised thoughtfully and consistently, with a clear explanation of the “why.” Diversion programs are an important dispositional tool for non-violent offenses. When such programs address underlying causes of criminality and repeated involvement in the system, they serve both the individual and public safety. The law surrounding diversionary programs is ever evolving. As stated, a jurist must follow the law, listen to all analyses, by prosecution and defense, consider all other information, expert reports, probation reports, victim input---and then consistently and fairly make a decision regarding the efficacy of an individual’s diversion participation. **Court Efficiency & Access:** **Los Angeles courts are often congested—what specific strategies would you use to improve efficiency while still ensuring due process?** As a career long public defender, I am accustomed to running large calendars. The Public Defender’s office is the first appointed office for indigent people and thus handles about 70% of the cases in Los Angeles County. The only way to get through such calendars is with preparation, diligence, and good relationships. Practicing in the criminal courts for over 30 years, I have developed great professional relationships and collaborative approaches. As a temporary judge, I have handled large calendars in traffic and small claims settings. The only way to handle a large calendar is one at a time. Every litigant deserves full attention. I can hit the ground running on day one. **Professional Background:** **How has your prior experience (public defender, civil attorney, etc.) shaped your perspective, and how will you ensure neutrality on the bench?** I have represented people at every stage of process--- investigations, negotiations, trials, and sentencing. That work requires careful analysis of evidence, assessing credibility, and making principled decisions under pressure. It also means working with a wide range of stakeholders—clients, victims, families, and law enforcement—which provides a broad, practical understanding of how cases affect real people. At the same time, I am very clear that the role of an advocate is fundamentally different from the role of a judge. As a judge, my responsibility would be to set aside any prior role and approach each case with neutrality and independence. That starts with applying the law as written, relying on the record in front of me, and ensuring both sides are fully heard. I would also remain mindful of the transition from advocate to neutral arbiter—recognizing that prior experience informs judgment but cannot dictate outcomes. Ultimately, my background does not pull me toward one side; it prepares me to understand the stakes, evaluate the issues carefully, and make fair, even-handed decisions grounded in the law. **Accountability & Ethics:** **Judges have significant discretion—how should they be held accountable to the public, the jury and the public-at large? What makes you unique or different? What will be your approach and ethical demeanor?** Judicial independence is essential, but it must be paired with meaningful accountability. Judges should be accountable first and foremost to the law and the record—every decision should be grounded in legal authority and explained clearly so it can be reviewed. Day-to-day accountability in the courtroom is important. That means treating people with respect, running a transparent process, and making reasoned decisions on the record. When litigants and the public can see how and why decisions are made, confidence in the system increases. I have worked in the criminal justice system as a career. I have always maintained professionalism and consistent temperament. I do not view trials, hearings, or other matters as ticker tape numbers. I view each proceeding as one involving a human being. While it is true that I have tried over 100 trials, adjudications, transfer hearings, and all other types of hearings attendant to the criminal justice process, what makes me unique is I don’t treat people like numbers, or stats. I treat them as individual people with the individual circumstances they present. I will continue to do so on the bench. **The Campaign:** **How much money will you be spending. How are you connecting with voters? What is your primary message to the electorate?** I am learning as I go along. LA County is huge, so connecting with voters is difficult. I am a hard worker and never shirked a challenge so I am doing a lot of in person voter outreach whenever I can and often. Also, I seek out opportunities such as this one with LA City Watch to present who I am and what I will be like as a judge. Experience has taught me that justice requires more than knowledge of the law; it requires patience, discipline, and the ability to listen. I will bring those qualities with me to the bench. My temperament is steeped in professionalism, and every decision will be guided by the law and commitment to justice. *(Nick Antonicello is a thirty-three-year resident of Venice who is covering the various judicial races on the June 2nd, Primary ballot. Have a take or a tip? Contact him via e-mail at .)* [ ![LA DWP #2 (Pay Your Bill Help)](https://www.citywatchla.com/images/LADWP/dwp%20level%20pay%205-7-25.jpg) ](https://www.citywatchla.com/component/banners/click/82 "LA DWP #2 (Pay Your Bill Help)") ![](https://www.citywatchla.com/images/banners/signup-for-cw.png) ## Get The News In Your Email Inbox Mondays & Thursdays Message [ ![Home - HHR Rent is too High - SB-2](https://www.citywatchla.com/images/HHR/AHF-rent-too-high.jpg) ](https://www.citywatchla.com/component/banners/click/104 "Home - HHR Rent is too High - SB-2") --- ## Featured CityWatch Stories [ ![](https://www.citywatchla.com/media/yootheme/cache/e3/067m-e39a930e.jpg) ](https://www.citywatchla.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=33250:missing-middle-la-city-plannings-new-approach-to-attainable-housing&catid=429) ### [Missing Middle. 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