For use by Stonewall Democrats of Dallas 2016 Judicial Candidate Questionnaire (Note: Judicial candidates are asked to ONLY answer the Judicial Candidate questionnaire, and NOT the County or State Level questionnaire!) Why are you seeking the endorsement from Stonewall Democrats of Dallas? | am seeking your endorsement for a number of reasons, Stonewall Democrats of Dallas is a very active political group whose members are very passionate about, and hands on in pursuing issues that affect ‘and cut across a large demographic, including not just the LGBT community, but minorities and the underprivileged. The position | am seeking is that of the Judge of the Criminal District Court No. 2 of Dallas County, Texas which is a state trial court, not an appellate or federal Court. | am a criminal defense attorney with over seventeen years of both misdemeanor and felony trial practice focused right here in Dallas County, specifically at the Frank Crowley Court building where Court No. 2 is located, Ihave an extensive felony trial experience, having tried all degrees of felonies. | have had proceedings in every felony court in the Frank Crowley Courthouse, and have the largest indigent and mental health caseloads of my two opponents. | am thus familiar with the various court personnel, top prosecutors, public defenders, judges and their rules of court. | am familiar with the various issues going on at the ‘courthouse involving administration, jail population, and disposition of cases. | am the candidate who has the necessary experience and relevant qualifications for this position. | have been voted twice by the Dallas County Criminal Defense Lawyers Association, my peers, (not a for profit organization or magazine}, in 2014 and 2015, as one of Dallas’ Best Criminal Defense Lawyers due to my trial skills and experience in the felony courts. An exceptional trial attorney knows the Texas Rules of Evidence, the Texas Code of Criminal Procedure, and how to apply them to the facts of a case. This is essentially what is required of a good trial judge, in addition to being fair and balanced. What are your plans to participate in a coordinated campaign in the general election? | am willing to team up with other democrats in the general elections to ensure that democratic candidates are elected into the various offices. Will you use the Stonewall Democrats of Dallas endorsement in or on: a) your website (Yes). b) your campaign literature and mailers (Yes).©) your social media assets (Twitter, Facebook, etc.) (Yes). d) your campaign advertisements (Yes). |. When elected, how will you recruit, retain, and create a friendly environment for LGBT and LGBT- friendly staff? It will be part of my questionnaire to ask if there are any conditions or persons alongside or with whom. the individual cannot work. | will have sensitivity training/orientation for my staff, and have a zero tolerance for discrimination. Would you be willing to appoint a liaison to meet with the LGBT community on an ongoing basis? If not, why? Yes. ;. Understanding that administrative matters can take up a significant percentage of your work day, what are some ideas for policies or procedures that you think you can improve court operations for the court Which you are seeking office? What are the most important policies or procedures you've identified as needing improvement? ‘The process by which defendants are evaluated for substance abuse and other issues takes about two to three weeks, sometimes more to complete, while the defendant sits in jail, or while the defendant is out, con bond and their case lingers on the court's docket. This is counter- productive for the County, and non ~violent/defendants who have jobs or dire situations. | will require that the plea be done immediately the defense and prosecution have agreed, and evaluations be done after, as a condition of probation for, defendants who have an agreed plea for probation. I would require the clerks to enter the disposition of a case the same day, to avoid duplication on the docket by the court coordinator. This also avoids defendant's sitting and wasting tax payers’ money in the county jail who should either be released, or sent off to the penitentiary. Mentally il defendants should be assigned to mental health prosecutors instead of regular prosecutors as quickly as possible, to avoid delays in the disposition of those cases, to facilitate evaluations for treatment, dismissal or otherwise. How would you handle a situation in which you or an employee under you felt the need to not fulfill all your lawful work duties due to “deeply held religious beliefs”? I would give them the option of being reassigned to another duty, give their notice of resignation, or be terminated, in that order.|, Chika Anyiam, am seeking an endorsement from the Stonewall Democrats of Dallas for the 2016 elections. signed_< CES vate_ (24 F UNS