Judge, Criminal District Court, Section I

Answers to issue questions limited to 500 words total.

Karen Herman

NAME: Karen K. Herman
YOUR CAMPAIGN WEB ADDRESS: http://www.karenhermanforjudge.com
CONTACT INFORMATION FOR PUBLICATION:
Address: PO Box 15646, NOLA, 70175
Phone: 504-680-0559
FAX: 504-561-6024
Email: vote@karenhermanforjudge.com
PARTY AFFILIATION: Democrat
PROFESSION: Attorney
PRESENT EMPLOYER/POSITION (if self-employed, what type of business)
HIGHEST LEVEL OF EDUCATION (include graduation date): Juris Doctorate, cum laude, Tulane University School of Law, graduated May, 1991
APPLICABLE TRAINING: Former prosecutor with Harry Connick's DA's office-1991-1999. Handled thousands of cases, including misdemeanors, all felonies. As Senior trial attorney, I was in charge of managing the court docket, prosecuting high class felonies, and training junior trial attorneys. I have handled thousands of cases, including homicides and rapes. As a former prosecutor, I am trained to know how to efficiently manage a docket in criminal court. I am also the former Executive Director of Court Watch NOLA, a volunteer, non-profit organization whose mission is to promote accountability, efficiency and transparency in the criminal courthouse. I started with a handful of volunteers watching a dozen cases. When I resigned to run for judge, I had recruited almost 100 volunteers and was assigning 400 cases. The unique experience of placing volunteer observers in the courthouse, and compiling their insights and observations as to what is working and what is not has given me an unparalleled perspective in the efficiencies and inefficiencies of the courthouse.
CIVIC EXPERIENCE: Hurstville Security District Board Commissioner, Touro Synagogue Sisterhood Executive Committee Member, Make A Wish Gala Patron Party Chair, Faculty Appreciation Committee-Newman School, Adjunct Professor-Tulane Law School, Assistant Bar Examiner.
POLITICAL EXPERIENCE AND POLITICAL ORGANIZATION MEMBERSHIPS: None

1. What is the depth of your experience in Criminal District Court? Number of jury trials? Number of judge trials? Magistrate service? District Attorney's office?

I am a former prosecutor-over 100 jury trials, over 50 judge trials, worked in Magistrate Court for over a year, Grand jury lead prosecutor, Violent Offender Strike Force prosecutor, presented homicides to grand jury for indictment for a year and a half. Handled every type of misdemeanor and felony committed in New Orleans during my tenure at the DA's office.

2. Have you ever been subject to disciplinary action by the Louisiana Bar Association? What was the outcome? Please explain?

No

3. How will you avoid the public perception that attorney contributions to judicial elections lead to favoritism in judicial rulings?

I will stand firm in my platform, which includes the promise to enforce the letter of the law and not legislate from the bench.

4. What steps do you think the Criminal District Court system should implement to repair the crime situation in Orleans Parish, both the long-standing, chronic problems and the present escalating situation? Will you initiate these measures from your bench?

The Criminal District Court system must maintain focus on repeat and violent offenders. There must be a firm zero tolerance for those types of offenders. In addition, first-time drug offenders must be placed in drug court, where they can stay out of jail and begin to make a significant contribution to society, something they cannot do while incarcerated. There needs to be more probation officers assigned to Criminal District Court. The Criminal District Court system, as a whole, needs to take a stand and demand more probation officers, so that repeat offenders will not have the opportunity to continue committing crimes in the same areas. I do plan to initiate all measures discussed above.

5. Do you favor the consolidation of the civil and criminal courts? Why or why not?

If done in the right way, consolidation offers potential for financial and other efficiencies. However, I think it's important that any consolidation plan ensures that cases can be resolved fairly and efficiently by a sufficient number of judges who are experienced in that specific area of law.

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