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EXCLUSIVE - Gloria Marin is a candidate of firsts, as she seeks to become the first female Nicaraguan ever to assume a judicial seat here in LA County. Born in the city of Managua, the 54-year-old is a first-time candidate for public office and is enjoying the experience of retail campaigning and meeting the voters in this sprawling county of some 10 million residents.
A renter, the Northridge resident is married and has been endorsed by the Operating Engineers #12, California NOW and Citizen's for Accountable Leadership as well as the LA County Deputy Sheriff's.
A graduate of Howard Taft HS in Woodland Hills, Marin resided in Inglewood where she took the bus to the Valley for school with the iconic rapper "Ice Cube," or O'Shea Jackson who was two years her senior.
A graduate of the University of California Berkeley, Marin worked her way through Loyola Law School at night at a time when her Mom had passed while working in county government as a Victim's Advocate before entering private practice specializing in workman's compensation and personal injury litigation.
Marin returned to the District Attorney's Office where she worked in the Sex Crimes Unit, as well as the Asset Forfeiture Division. Rated "Well Qualified" by the LA Bar Association, Marin has litigated 90 cases to verdict and believes her personal story, legal and life experiences have prepared her to serve on the bench compassionately and effectively.
A cancer survivor, Marin is self-funding a modest campaign budget that includes lawn signs and palm cards as she enters the final stretch before the June 2nd Primary.
Marin has a large but aging extended family and spends her personal time caring and helping those loved ones.
Here is the entire interview with the candidate:
What professional experiences have best prepared you to serve fairly and effectively as a judge in Los Angeles County?
My professional and unique experience has prepared me to serve fairly and effectively as a judge of Los Angeles County. Before law school, I worked as a victim advocate directly working with survivors of domestic violence and child sexual abuse by helping them navigate the justice system. I worked with survivors of all backgrounds and helped them during their most vulnerable moments. From this experience I learned about the profound human impact of crime on survivors, families, and the community as a whole. This experience taught me the importance of empathy, clear communication, and access to support for all justice involved individuals.
After law school, I represented injured workers in personal injury and workers compensation cases for two years. From this experience, I saw first hand the impact long delays in the process had on injured workers and their families. Therefore, as a judge I will be efficient in handling of cases and to be aware of the financial impact unnecessary delays has on the most vulnerable litigants.
Since joining the Los Angeles District Attorney's Office in 2005, I went on to prosecute the most serious felony cases. I prosecuted over 90 jury trials to verdict. I worked in the Sex Crimes Division for over six years prosecuting sexual assault and sexual crimes against children. This work required careful judgement, taking time to build trust with the survivors of these crimes, dedication to upholding due process rights and victim rights.
From my leadership experience, I learned the importance of making difficult decisions decidedly after careful analysis of the facts and the law. The Los Angeles County Bar Association rated me as "Well Qualified" to serve as a judge. On the bench, I will apply the law evenly, treat all parties with dignity, and ensure efficient proceedings by drawing on my experience.
How would you balance public safety with concerns about over-incarceration and equitable sentencing?
As judge, my role will be to apply the law as written by the Legislature and interpreted by the appellate courts. Public safety and equitable sentencing are not exclusive and coexist. Public safety issues affect working-class and immigrant neighborhoods. Accountability for serious offenses protects the most vulnerable communities. At the same time, over-incarceration strains resources, disrupt families, and fail to address the root causes of crime like poverty, trauma, mental health, and substance abuse.
As a judge, I would balance public safety with concerns about over-incarceration and equitable sentencing by exercising judicial discretion thoughtfully, withing the legal framework, to achieve fair, proportional, and effective outcomes. I will carefully consider evidence-based alternatives that promote rehabilitation and reduce recidivism while rigorously assessing risk to the community. This approach will uphold both public safety and justice and rebuild public trust in the justice system.
What steps do you believe the court system should take to improve access to justice for low-income residents, non-English speakers, and self-represented litigants?
As an immigrant who arrived from Nicaragua without speaking English, I personally have experienced how language barriers and unfamiliarity with the system can make justice feel out of reach. Therefore, on the bench, I will prioritize practical steps within my courtroom and support broader court-wide efforts to assist non-English speakers. I will make available certified interpreters for all proceedings, advocate for clear, plain-language explanations of rights and due process, and support expanding the translation of court forms and materials into the most common languages spoken in Los Angeles County.
For low-income residents I would ensure access to existing self-help centers, legal aid organizations, and community resources. I would also accommodate flexible scheduling to minimize work and childcare conflicts, and utilize remote appearances to reduce transportation cost and time barriers.
For self-represented litigants, I would provide patient, neutral guidance without giving legal advice, to ensure I provide all litigants have an opportunity to be heard. I will also support expanding self-help clinic programs.
How do you ensure that personal beliefs or political pressures do not influence your judicial decision-making?
Judicial decisions must be grounded solely on the facts and the applicable law and the Constitution. Therefore, my decisions are not based on personal decisions, political pressures, or public opinion.
As a judge, I will take an oath to uphold this principle and I will do so every day. Therefore, my decision-making process begins with having an open mind, listening intently to all the parties, before reaching any conclusions. My diverse professional background will help me in this process as I will be empathetic, respect due process rights of all, and make evidence-based rulings instead of preconceptions. I will also rely on the law and not policy preferences or political pressure. I will be transparent and compassionate while guarding against any unconscious and implicit bias through ongoing training and cultural competency.
What is your perspective on alternatives to incarceration, such as diversion programs, mental health treatment, or restorative justice initiatives?
As a judge I will follow the law in determining eligibility for alternatives to incarceration. I support a thoughtful case-by-case use of diversion programs, mental health treatment, and restorative justice initiatives where authorized by law and left to judicial discretion. Where the facts and the law permit, I will support alternatives to incarceration-such as diversion, mental health treatment, and restorative justice initiatives. I will evaluate each case individually, consider evidence-based options that promote long-term community safety and equity.
Public confidence in the courts depends on fairness and transparency. What would you do as a judge to strengthen trust in the judicial system?
As a judge I will strengthen public trust in the justice system by being consistent about being fair to all sides, being transparent, and by respecting all persons entering my courtroom.
I will also promote efficiency and accessibility by managing calendars to minimize unnecessary delays to promote procedural fairness. I will be transparent by explaining my decisions in plain language- not legalese. I will also be compassionate and serve the public equitably under the law.
(Nick Antonicello is a thirty-three-year resident of the Westside who is covering the numerous judicial contests on the June 2nd Primary ballot. He is a regular contributor to LA City Watch and can be reached via e-mail at [email protected])
