Paradise and Garcia Face Off for Riverside County Judge Seat

Michelle Paradise and Andrea Josepha Garcia will face each other in Tuesday's election for Judicial Seat No. 10 on the Riverside County Superior Court. The contest marks the final step in a race that began with a three-candidate primary in June.

Paradise, a former assistant district attorney, received 44 percent of the vote in the June primary. Garcia, a defense attorney, received 39 percent. Jennifer Loflin, a third defense lawyer, finished in third place and was eliminated from the race.

Paradise retired from her role as deputy county executive officer for public safety in June. She held that position for three years. Before that, she served as an assistant district attorney for seven years. She also worked as chief deputy district attorney for one year and as a line prosecutor for 18 years.

At the start of the current fiscal year, District Attorney Mike Hestrin re-hired Paradise as an assistant district attorney. The Board of Supervisors approved the hire because Paradise receives a pension from the California Public Employees Retirement System. Her new role functions primarily as a consultancy rather than active prosecution duties.

Paradise states she has prosecuted more than 100 cases. These cases include murders, sexual assaults, and child abuse and neglect offenses. In campaign literature, she describes her career as nearly 40 years of public service dedicated to protecting families and upholding the law.

"I've seen the justice system from every angle," Paradise said. "I still have a lot to give, and serving on the bench feels like the most meaningful way I can continue to give back."

Garcia serves as a San Bernardino County deputy public defender. She cites her experience in immigration law as a key part of her career. She says she pioneered the first in-house immigration specialist position at the Riverside County Public Defender's Office.

In her campaign materials, Garcia emphasizes her goal of enhancing public trust in the judicial system. She notes she has close to 20 years of experience defending individuals. She currently advises attorneys at the San Bernardino County Public Defender's Office on legal errors and court efficiency.

"I pioneered the first in-house immigration specialist position at the Riverside County Public Defender's Office," Garcia said. "As an expert, I advise attorneys at the San Bernardino County Public Defender's Office on preventing legal errors, improving court efficiency and protecting taxpayer dollars."

The open seat resulted from the retirement of Judge Harold Hopp. He served at the Riverside Historic Courthouse. Voters in Riverside County will choose between Paradise and Garcia on Tuesday to fill the bench vacancy.