Stein Says He Will Run for Judge Again, With a Caveat

Wednesday, April 1, 2015

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Stein Says He Will Run for Judge Again, With a Caveat

By a MetNews Staff Writer

Criminal defense attorney Andrew M. Stein, a candidate for Los Angeles Superior Court judge last year, said yesterday he will run again next year, subject to a condition.

ANDREW M. STEIN

Attorney

“I will not run against a ‘gang homicide prosecutor’, a ‘sex crimes prosecutor,’ a ‘violent crimes prosecutor,’” or anyone with a similar title, Stein told the MetNews.

Stein, running as “Gang Homicide Attorney,” topped the three-candidate primary field for an open seat in last June’s primary. Stripped of that title by a judge’s ruling and forced to run as “Trial Attorney” in the November runoff, he lost by a 59 to 41 percent margin to Tom Griego, a deputy city attorney running as “Gang Homicide Prosecutor.”

Stein did not mince words yesterday, making clear he still resents the court ruling. “It was wrong legally, wrong factually, and very political,” he said.

Creative ballot designations, he said, have made a mockery of the elections process. He said he knows of at least two deputy district attorneys, whom he declined to name, who have “been allowed to manipulate their assignments” in order to obtain titles that will appear more attractive on an election ballot.

There is no doubt, he said, that Griego’s ballot designation, not his actual record in the Los Angeles City Attorney’s Office, actually persuaded voters to support him. “Almost any [deputy district attorney] would be better qualified than [Griego],” he said.

Stein also said he might seek appointment from the governor. But that process has its own set of political realities, he acknowledged.

“There are 25 to 50 Jewish men in the pipeline” for appointment as Los Angeles Superior Court judges, Stein—who is Jewish—commented.

Deputy District Attorneys Debra Archuleta, David Berger, Steven Ipson and Taly Peretz and Century Park attorney Aaron Weissman, who does business litigation, have filed paperwork with the state in order to raise money to run for judge next year.

Stein said he also expects Deputy District Attorney Steven Schreiner, the third candidate in his primary race with Griego, to run again.