A bevy of judicial races were on Los Angeles County voters\u2019 ballots this primary election, but only 10 were contested races.<\/p>\n
Superior court judges handle all civil cases \u2014 these can include family law, probate and juvenile cases \u2014 and all criminal cases, such as felonies, misdemeanors and infractions, such as traffic tickets. They also handle small claims cases and small claims appeals and appeals of infractions and misdemeanor cases, per the Judicial Branch of California\u2019s guide<\/a>.<\/p>\n A candidate can win outright in the June primary if they receive more than 50% of the vote. But if none do that, the top two vote-getters will move on to the November general election.<\/p>\n Superior court judges serve six-year terms, and they must have either been an attorney admitted to practice in California or have served as a judge of a court of record for at least 10 years in California, according to the Judicial Branch of California\u2019s guide.<\/p>\n \u201cUnlike other elected officials, the judge is not representing voters,\u201d Austen L. Parrish, dean of the UC Irvine School of Law, said in a previous interview<\/a>. \u201cThe judge is meant to be protecting the rule of law.\u201d<\/p>\n Here\u2019s a look at the unofficial results in the 10 judicial contests as of Thursday afternoon.<\/p>\n Office No. 2: Incumbent Judge Robert S. Draper was locked in a tight battle with Tal Valbuena<\/a>, a deputy district attorney from Long Beach. Valbuena, though, is slightly ahead.<\/p>\n Office No. 14: In this open seat, Irene Lee<\/a>, a deputy district attorney, led Angie Christides<\/a>, a deputy district attorney from Surfside.<\/p>\n Office No. 64: In this close race for an open seat, Maria Ghobadi<\/a>, a deputy district attorney, led Rhonda Haymon<\/a>, a deputy public defender from Gardena. Francisco Amador, a Los Angeles attorney, trailed in third.<\/p>\n Office No. 65: In another close race, Justin Allen Clayton<\/a>, a deputy public defender from Inglewood; Anna Slotky Reitano<\/a>, a deputy county counsel from Glendale; and Samuel Wolloch Krause<\/a>, a partner at Hall Benefits Law from Northridge, hold the top three spots. Attorney Chellei G. Jimenez<\/a> from Palmdale was behind in fourth place.<\/p>\n Office No. 66: Here, Ben Forer<\/a>, a deputy district attorney and adjunct professor from Los Angeles, holds the lead for the open seat over Cheryl C. Turner<\/a>, a trial attorney from Los Angeles.<\/p>\n Office No. 67: Incumbent Judge David Walgren<\/a> of Calabasas holds a commanding lead over Dan Kapelovitz<\/a>, a criminal defense attorney from Los Angeles.<\/p>\n Office No. 87: In this three-way race for an open seat, Anthony Bayne, a deputy public defender, was out in front ahead of David Dejute<\/a>, an attorney and law professor from Malibu, and Sharee Sanders Gordon<\/a>, a Los Angeles deputy city attorney.<\/p>\n Office. No. 116: Incumbent Judge Pat Connolly<\/a> was holding onto a lead over Paul Thompson<\/a>, a deputy district attorney from Torrance.<\/p>\n Office No 131: Donna Tryfman<\/a>, a deputy public defender, and David Ross<\/a>, a deputy alternate public defender in Long Beach, are in the top two spots, respectively. Carlos Dammeier<\/a>, an administrative law judge from Rancho Cucamong, and Troy Slaten<\/a>, an administrative law judge in Los Angeles, followed.<\/p>\n Office No. 176: In this open race, Gloria Marin<\/a>, a deputy district attorney from Northridge, holds a sizable lead over Zachary Smith<\/a>, an L.A. County deputy public defender from San Pedro.<\/p>\n