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| Catherine Shaffer |
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| Candidate: King County Superior Court, |
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| Catherine Shaffer |
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Position 11 |
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| Age: 42 |
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| Residence: Shoreline |
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| Occupation: |
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Senior King County deputy prosecuting attorney and Des Moines municipal judge pro tem |
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| Education: |
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B.A. in political science and American studies, Wellesley College; J.D., Columbia University |
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| Campaign Web site: www.catherineshaffer.org |
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| Rating: Exceptionally well-qualified |
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| 1. |
Why are you running for office? |
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I am dedicated to ensuring access to the courts and making justice affordable. I will also deliver quality justice: My experience includes years of civil litigation, a decade prosecuting hundreds of felony trials before juries, and substantial judicial experience as a judge pro tem. I am sensitive to crime victims and committed to public safety. |
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| 2. |
Explain how your personal background and/or community involvement makes you a good judicial candidate. |
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I work for justice as an officer and board member of the King County Bar Association, a board member of King County Washington Women Lawyers, and a fund-raiser for "safety-net" charities. I am a leader in programs to stop sexual assault and domestic violence, help at-risk youth, reduce school gun violence, and divert juvenile offenders from the criminal system. |
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| 3. |
What is the biggest problem facing the court system and how would you address it? |
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Navigating the courts can be difficult and expensive. I believe we can make it easier by informing the public, simplifying legal forms and providing electronic and telephone access to the court. We can make it more affordable by supporting arbitration, mediation and the use of legal advocates and paralegals, encouraging free legal services and handling cases efficiently. |
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