“The DA has the power to charge people with crimes. This is a primary and life-altering power in our society. It must be exercised ethically, and with absolute responsibility.

“Justice cannot be a win-at-all-costs proposition. The District Attorney must strive to bring only legitimate cases into the system—working with police departments to establish strong evidentiary chains and strong legal protocols, supporting defense efforts to promote truth and fairness, and preparing assiduously for cases that are brought to court.”

“It is the ethical obligation of the District Attorney to seek truth—not simply convictions. Anything less inflicts unnecessary pain and expense upon litigants, and ultimately on every member of our community.

“This means that the office must manage cases with truth in mind. This starts with its own personnel. Its lawyers must be able to exercise discretion independently, without fear of criticism or reprisals. Its lawyers must be supported and mentored by their managers. Management must create an environment where prosecutors, investigators, and staff are enthusiastic about their work and encouraged to find ways to do their work more efficiently.”

“I worked in the District Attorney’s Office for 15 years before my election to the Superior Court. I began my career when Leo Himmelsbach was DA and worked both as a trial lawyer and supervisor under George Kennedy—most recently as head of the Sexual Assault Unit.

“Under their leadership and direction, I came to understand the power of the District Attorney’s Office—and why it is the most important law enforcement agency in our county. With this understanding, came a deep respect for its legacy and its role in the community.

“The DA must be ethical… must operate with integrity… must be able to manage positively and effectively… must be able to build and maintain effective coalitions…must be innovative... must be able to foster respect for and among all partners in the county’s legal-judicial system… must run an office that is fair and honest in all of its dealings—especially in the charging and prosecution of crimes.

“Above all, the District Attorney must operate in a way that brings honor to the office—and to all that the office represents.”

“Santa Clara County has a rich tradition of cultural and ethnic diversity. Originally our agricultural base, and later our leadership in high-tech advances attracted people from all over the world and created opportunities for us all.

“As the lead agency in our county’s criminal justice system, the District Attorney’s Office must recognize the economic and societal power of this diversity and adjust its operational and hiring philosophy to grow with it. This will require better communication with community groups to create mutual awareness of needs and realistic expectations.”

“(Carr joined) the Santa Clara County district attorney's office in 1985. She supervised the sexual assault team at one point and was known for being tough on sex offenders.

“In some cases, Carr asked judges to impose 25-years-to-life sentences on sex offenders who moved and failed to register with local police departments.”

Excerpt from story by Craig Anderson
Daily Journal , August 15, 2005

 

“When Judge Dolores Carr arrived in family court two years ago, she listened to stories of broken trust, lost dreams, violent arguments, and money problems. She saw parents with drug problems, depression and no money for treatment. She saw children whose parents were too overwhelmed to tend to their needs. She said to herself: `'What I need here is a social worker.'

“Carr is now supervising judge in family court. Thanks to her perseverance and a $2.5 million grant from First 5 Santa Clara County, she will have her social workers. And her court will be able to pay for services, from counseling to drug treatment, that parents and children need to get through the crisis and on with their lives.

“At a time when social service programs for families are being slashed across the state, it's good to know that help will be available for folks in time of crisis. And it's good to know that judges like Dolores Carr are finding creative ways to provide that help.”

Excerpted from Editorial “Saving Dreams”
San Jose Mercury News
Sunday, June 15, 2003

 

“What a tremendous benefit it is for Santa Clara County to have someone running for DA who has significant experience within our legal-judicial system—not only in the DA’s Office, but also as a Superior Court Judge. She excelled in both roles and was assigned supervisory responsibility by both the DA and the Presiding Judge.

“She also has been acknowledged by the State Bar for her comprehensive knowledge of the law. She was selected as one of only 9 attorneys in the State of California responsible for developing questions for and supervising the grading of the California General Bar Examination.

“She has my wholehearted support. I think she will make a great District Attorney.”

Ann Miller Ravel
County Counsel
County of Santa Clara

 

“Although the DA’s race is nonpartisan, Judge Carr has attracted support from individuals and interests who do not generally agree politically. She has been endorsed by prominent Democrats and Republicans, people from diverse ethnicities, liberals and conservatives, public defenders, attorneys from the DA’s office, and a tremendous number of attorneys from the private bar within Santa Clara County.

“What’s most important to me is the widespread support she has from law enforcement. These are the people who must work most closely with the DA’s office to build legitimate cases for prosecution. That fact that so many law enforcement personnel support Judge Carr speaks strongly about their level of confidence in her abilities…”

Thomas Wheatley
Assistant Chief (ret)
San Jose Police Department

 

“I have been very impressed with Judge Carr’s involvements outside of the requirements of her job. She has an obvious passion to share her abilities and personal gifts. She is motivated by concern and is passionate about her beliefs. The benefits of these involvements are significant to her profession and to our community.

"I am proud to support her candidacy and cannot imagine anyone doing a better job as District Attorney.”

James T. Beall, Jr.
Board of Supervisors, District 4
Santa Clara County

 

“Speculation about the race to succeed Santa Clara County District Attorney George Kennedy was that San Jose cops would pass over his chief assistant and personal favorite, Karyn Sinunu, and back Santa Clara County Superior Court Judge Dolores Carr.

“That theory was seemingly affirmed in endorsements last week by the San Jose Police Officers Association and Police Benevolent Association. The 1,800-strong officers association chose Carr by 71 percent. Assistant District Attorney Marc Buller got 12 percent, Deputy District Attorney Jim Shore got 9 percent and Sinunu got 8 percent.”

Excerpted from “The Insider”
San Jose Mercury News
November 27, 2005