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A. Verónica Sauceda
A. Verónica Sauceda is a judge of the Superior Court of Los Angeles County in California. She assumed office on January 1, 2019. Her current term ends on January 6, 2031.
Sauceda won re-election for judge of the Superior Court of Los Angeles County in California outright in the primary on March 5, 2024, after the primary and general election were canceled.
Elections
2024
See also: Municipal elections in Los Angeles County, California (2024)
Nonpartisan primary election
The primary election was canceled. A. Verónica Sauceda (Nonpartisan) won the election without appearing on the ballot.
Endorsements
Ballotpedia did not identify endorsements for Sauceda in this election.
2018
General election
General election for Superior Court of Los Angeles County
A. Verónica Sauceda defeated Alfred Coletta in the general election for Superior Court of Los Angeles County on November 6, 2018.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ | A. Verónica Sauceda (Nonpartisan)  | 59.5 | 1,352,156 | |
 | Alfred Coletta (Nonpartisan) | 40.5 | 920,807 | |
| Total votes: 2,272,963 | |||
| = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey. | ||||
| If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey. | ||||
Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team. | ||||
Nonpartisan primary election
Nonpartisan primary for Superior Court of Los Angeles County
A. Verónica Sauceda and Alfred Coletta defeated Matthew Schonbrun in the primary for Superior Court of Los Angeles County on June 5, 2018.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ | A. Verónica Sauceda (Nonpartisan) | 46.8 | 535,416 | |
| ✔ | | Alfred Coletta (Nonpartisan) | 42.1 | 481,525 |
| Matthew Schonbrun (Nonpartisan) | 11.2 | 128,111 | ||
| Total votes: 1,145,052 | |||
| = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey. | ||||
| If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey. | ||||
Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team. | ||||
Campaign themes
2024
Ballotpedia survey responses
See also: Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection
A. Verónica Sauceda did not complete Ballotpedia's 2024 Candidate Connection survey.
2018
Ballotpedia survey responses
See also: Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection
A. Verónica Sauceda completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey. The survey questions appear in bold and are followed by Sauceda's responses.
What would be your top three priorities, if elected?
To be a Fair and Impartial Judge Access to justice for all court users. Effective courtroom and calendar managment to ensure all court users are afforded a their day in court.
What areas of public policy are you personally passionate about?
I am interested in Language Access for all court users. Streamlining the court system to ensure that all court users maximize their time in court; ie- avoid delays.
Who do you look up to? Whose example would you like to follow, and why?
I look up to people who have a strong sense of public service. People who serve the most underserved people with empathy and kindness. I believe in giving back to the communities that we serve. I look up to artists like Frida Kahlo.
Is there a book, essay, film, or something else you would recommend to someone who wants to understand your political philosophy?
The Republic (Plato) and Democracy in America (Alexi De Tocqueville)
What characteristics or principles are most important for an elected official?
Elected officials must have the following:
- honesty
- integrity
- sense of justice and moral compass
- empathy
What qualities do you possess that you believe would make you a successful officeholder?
I posses the integrity, empathy and impartiality required of a judge.
What do you believe are the core responsibilities for someone elected to this office?
It is crucial for judges to make fair and impartial decisions on case presented to them for adjudication. I think that courtroom and calendar management are important skills to have as a judge.
What legacy would you like to leave?
I would like viewed as champion for justice. That is would be my legacy.
What is the first historical event that happened in your lifetime that you remember? How old were you at the time?
1987- Tear Down this Wall (Berlin Wall)
What was your very first job? How long did you have it?
I picked strawberries as young child; during two summers while I was in elementary school. But, my first "minimum wage job" was at the Norwalk Swapmeet when I was in 7th grade.
What is your favorite holiday? Why?
My favorite holiday was Mother's Day, while my mother was alive.
What is your favorite book? Why?
The "House on Mango Street" is my favorite book because this was the first time I read a book about my culture.
If you could be any fictional character, who would you want to be?
I would be Wonder Woman because she was the first woman I saw on TV that was the "action hero"!
What is your favorite thing in your home or apartment? Why?
My favorite thing at home is a holding a good book and sitting in my recliner.
What is something that has been a struggle in your life?
I am not a good test taker; I have always struggled with standardized tests. However, know that hard work and dedication help me overcome such challenges.
How would you describe your legal philosophy?
My legal philosophy is to be fair.
Is there a particular judge, past or present, whom you admire?
I admire Ruth Bader Ginsburg.
Do you believe that empathy is an important quality for a judge?
YES, empathy is a must have characteristic in a judge. It is compassion for others that allows us to be open to hear facts, apply law to these facts and to make fair orders.
Are there any little-known powers or responsibilities held by this judicial position that you believe more people should be aware of?
Judges have a lot of discretion. Also, there is a LOT of work off the bench!
Have you ever been rated by a Bar Association? If so, what was the rating?
I am rated "Well Qualified" by the Los Angeles County Bar Association.
Do you believe that the Bar Association ratings are an accurate reflection of a judge's ability?
I believe bar ratings are important because the judicial committees do a thorough vetting of all candidates.
Why are you running for this particular court seat?
I am running for this seat because I am a well qualified candidate that has the support of the top brass of the Superior Court. I have judicial experience and am already doing the job of a judge. I have integrity, I am a fair and impartial Superior Court Commissioner. Finally, being a judge would definitely be an extension of my public service.
If you are not a sitting judge, do you have previous judicial experience? Do you believe it's important to have that kind of experience for this judgeship?
I am a Los Angeles Superior Court Commissioner; presiding over Family law. I have three years of judicial experience.
Do you believe that it's beneficial for a judge to have previous experience in government or politics?
Judicial races are non partisan; I do not think political experience is necessary. However, a candidate must have strong litigation skills; patience and strong record for serving the public. I was a non profit attorney for almost 14 years before becoming a Los Angeles Superior Court Commissioner. I was vetted and selected by Judge of the Superior Court because they all agreed that I had the litigation skills, trial skills and the appropriate demeanor to run a courtroom.
What is your primary concern about today's legal system in your state?
My primary concern is to make sure that all court users have their day in court. We need to make sure that litigants are served by the courts in their districts without having to wait months and months to get a hearing.
What do you consider the greatest opportunity for the legal system in your state?
The greatest opportunity is to do pro bono work; for those attorneys who do no already practice poverty law, serving others in need is important.
Would you be interested in serving on a higher court in the future? If so, which court appeals to you?
Yes, I would like to be a California Supreme Court Justice.
Note: Ballotpedia reserves the right to edit Candidate Connection survey responses. Any edits made by Ballotpedia will be clearly marked with [brackets] for the public. If the candidate disagrees with an edit, he or she may request the full removal of the survey response from Ballotpedia.org. Ballotpedia does not edit or correct typographical errors unless the candidate's campaign requests it.
See also
2024 Elections
External links
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Personal |
Footnotes
Federal courts:
Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals • U.S. District Court: Central District of California, Eastern District of California, Northern District of California, Southern District of California • U.S. Bankruptcy Court: Central District of California, Eastern District of California, Northern District of California, Southern District of California
State courts:
California Supreme Court • California Courts of Appeal • California Superior Courts
State resources:
Courts in California • California judicial elections • Judicial selection in California
