2014 Susan Anderson

For use by Stonewall Democrats of Dallas 2014 Judicial Candidate Questionnaire: (Note: Judicial candidates are asked to ONLY
answer the Judicial Candidate questionnaire, and NO the Count! or "tate Le#el questionnaire$% 1. Why are you seeking the endorsement from Stonewall Democrats of Dallas? I seek the support of The Stonewall Democrats on both a personal as well as professional level. rofessionally! The Stonewalls are a force to be reckoned with and are respected by all. eople in both political and social arenas listen to Stonewall and your endorsement actually means something! rather than "ust another name on a list. #n a personal level! I have many friends in the organi$ation and in the %&'T community at large. Since the 1()*+s! I have been an advocate for %&'T activities and issues and when elected! I will continue to be a voice for those issues and activities. To receive the endorsement of The Stonewall Democrats would be a tremendous honor. ,. What are your plans to participate in a coordinated campaign in the general election? I will participate in the coordinated campaign in any and every way I can. -ot only will I be able to motivate the Democratic base! but I will be able to go outside of that base and generate support from other sources! including groups that are underrepresented in the voting booth. We must not lose sight that it is not enough to win the primary! we must win in -ovember. .. Will you use the Stonewall Democrats of Dallas endorsement in or on/ a0 your website 1 yes b0 your campaign literature and mailers 1 yes c0 your social media assets 2Twitter! 3acebook! etc.0 1 yes d0 your campaign advertisements 1 yes 4. When elected! how will you recruit! retain! and create a friendly environment for %&'T and %&'T1friendly staff? I have always worked in %&'T friendly environments. 5y friends and colleagues know that I have not and will not tolerate any pre"udice or bigotry of 6-7 kind either from my staff or towards my staff. I have a $ero tolerance policy in that regard.
8. Would you be willing to appoint a liaison to meet with the %&'T community on a ongoing basis? If not! why? 5y door is always open and will always listen to problems facing the %&'T community. If a liaison is necessary! I would support that position wholeheartedly. 9. :nderstanding that administrative matters can take up a significant percentage of your work day! what are some ideas for policies or procedures that you think you can improve court operations for the court which you are seeking office? What are the most important policies or procedures you;ve identified as needing improvement? a. <ail opulation / #ne of the biggest problems we have is the "ail population. #ften times! Defendants remain in "ail even though all parties agree that probation is the appropriate sentence. They remain in "ail to complete a presentence report and a drug and alcohol evaluation! which can take up to .* days. 6t appro=imately >9* per day! the additional cost for only one inmate is about >1)**. 5ultiply that by the 1**? inmates who plead to probation each month and you can see how the cost of probation escalates. I would adopt a policy that if a person is going to get probation! barring any other holds! they will be released from "ail that day and complete the evaluations from the outside. b. 6buse of @alendars/ %awyers on both sides are notorious for trying to manipulate the docketing system in order to put off trials. &enerally on 5ondays! everyone shows up at some time during the day and announces for trial. If both parties to announce ABeadyC on a case! a "ury is ordered and everyone waits for it to appear. If you+re lucky and can actually get a panel! it will be there before lunch. If you+re not lucky and have to wait until the afternoon for a panel! you may not finish "ury selection until 819 pm. I would reDuire both parties to announce the 3riday before. If both parties announce ABeadyC! we will set the trial schedule for the following week and order a panel the first thing on 5onday morning. If either party announces A-ot BeadyC! I will entertain their 5otion for @ontinuance. 'y setting the schedule the previous 3riday! attorneys are not wasting their time preparing when they know they are not likely to be reached. This will also create a greater likelihood that more cases will get to trial and do so more Duickly. c. Divert @ourts/ There are several divert courts which are underutili$ed. The Drug Divert rogram can accept new clients as soon as their cases are filed. 5any times! attorneys do not refer these cases to the program for a variety of reasons. I would create a special screening process in my court which would screen these candidates for referral as soon as they hit the "ail. If they Dualify! their cases will be referred to Divert @ourt! which will result in their release from "ail
I! Susan E. 6nderson! am seeking an endorsement from the Stonewall Democrats of Dallas.
Signed
Susan E. 6nderson
Date 1,F,.F,*1.

2014 Susan Anderson

Uploaded by

2014 Susan Anderson

Uploaded by

For use by Stonewall Democrats of Dallas 2014 Judicial Candidate Questionnaire: (Note: Judicial candidates are asked to ONLY

I! Susan E. 6nderson! am seeking an endorsement from the Stonewall Democrats of Dallas.

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