Los Angeles County (Downey)
Career Highlights: Appointed to the Los Angeles County Superior Court by Gov. Gavin Newsom, July 2023; Commissioner, Los Angeles County Superior Court, 2019-2023; deputy public defender, Los Angeles County, 1997-2019; child support enforcement officer, San Diego County, 1997
Law School: University of San Diego School of Law, 1996
Career Highlights: Appointed to the Los Angeles County Superior Court by Gov. Gavin Newsom, July 2023; Commissioner, Los Angeles County Superior Court, 2019-2023; deputy public defender, Los Angeles County, 1997-2019; child support enforcement officer, San Diego County, 1997
Law School: University of San Diego School of Law, 1996
DOWNEY — Since the passage of a law last year giving bench officers the authority to grant diversion in misdemeanor cases over a prosecutor’s objections, Commissioner Evan A. Kitahara said he has issued several such orders.
Historically, prosecutors needed to agree to diversion, which can lead to dismissals of charges without trial.
“If for whatever reason they are not able to offer it, ... (continued)
