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LWV League of Women Voters of California Education Fund
Santa Clara County, CA November 2, 2004 Election
Smart Voter Full Biography for Griffin Bonini

Candidate for
Judge - Superior Court; County of Santa Clara; Office 7

[photo]
This information is provided by the candidate

"Bonini brings to the bench a diverse background, unquestioned integrity, and a passion for justice. I endorse him wholeheartedly."
-Honorable Thomas Hastings (ret.) (Presiding Judge for the Polly Klaas murder trial and the Cary Stayner Yosemite Strangler murder trial)

"Through his exceptional work as a Deputy District Attorney, Griffin Bonini protects our community by prosecuting its most dangerous criminals."
-Sheriff Charles Gillingham (ret.)

I am a candidate for Santa Clara County Superior Court Judge Seat #7. Our community needs judges who possess not only the experience and intelligence to serve on the judiciary, but who are also passionate about ensuring fair and just results for all parties. It is a great honor to serve our community as a Superior Court Judge.

As a Deputy District Attorney I have prosecuted thousands of criminal cases, including child molestation, rape, attempted murder, robbery, narcotics, arson, domestic violence, elder abuse, gangs, and juvenile crime. I also have extensive civil law experience having litigated complex, billion-dollar cases. With the sophisticated civil cases filed here in Silicon Valley plus the thousands of criminal cases filed each year, it is critical our judges have a solid grounding in both areas. I am the only candidate with extensive criminal and civil law experience.

As the only criminal prosecutor running for judge, I am also the only candidate to work with victims of crime and victim advocay groups (such as through the YWCA). I see firsthand what crime does to individuals and families in our community. Based on my extensive experience working with crime victims and as a criminal prosecutor, I believe I am the best qualified candidate to "judge" whether a defendant is a dangerous criminal that needs to be removed from our streets, or someone deserving of a second chance.

I am a life-long Santa Clara County resident (Gunn High School `83) and a graduate of Santa Clara University School of Law. While at Santa Clara, I was a Dean's List student, editor-in-chief of The Advocate (the law school news periodical), and was awarded the Moot Court Award for Best Oral Advocate. I received the Law Alumni Association Scholarship award for my contributions to the community. I currently live in San Jose with my wife Sarah, and our four children. We are active members of Queen of Apostles parish.

I teach attorneys, police officers, and law students statewide on legal ethics, evidence, trial techniques, and cross-examination. I also volunteer for many local education programs. For instance, I teach San Jose 5th graders about our justice system, and have coached the St. Francis High School mock trial team.

I am endorsed by thirty (30) current and retired Judges, community leaders, firefighters, 300+ local attorneys from all practice areas (including 75+ public and private criminal defense attorneys), and law enforcement organizations countywide.

On November 2, 2004 please vote Griffin Bonini for Superior Court Judge Seat #7. Thank you.

Griffin Bonini

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Created from information supplied by the candidate: September 25, 2004 14:00
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