Mark Hood Gains Major Law Enforcement Endorsements

Prosecutor seen as well-matched for County's 8-1 ratio of criminal vs. civil cases

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Pacific Grove, CA - April 26, 2008 - Organizations representing Monterey County sheriffs, police and court employees have given their endorsement to prosecutor Mark Hood's candidacy for Superior Court Judge.

Among those endorsing Hood:

Monterey County Deputy Sheriff's Association
Peace Officers Research Association of California (Central Coast)
Operating Engineers Local 3 (AFL-CIO, representing police)
Service Employees International Union Local 521 (representing court employees).

"The Monterey County Deputy Sheriff's Association proudly endorses Mark Hood for Judge," said association president Daniel Mitchell. "Mark is an experienced criminal prosecutor with a great reputation for fairness and integrity."

Monterey County sees 8 criminal cases for every 1 civil case

In the last year there were over 89,000 criminal filings in Monterey County: 8 criminal cases for every 1 civil case. Of the four candidates running for judge in the June 3 election, Mark Hood has the deepest experience as a criminal prosecutor, with 19 years as a deputy district attorney in Santa Clara County, handling major cases including murder, kidnapping, embezzlement,identity theft and crime by gang members.

Hood is also the only candidate in the race with significant experience as both a criminal prosecutor and a civil attorney, having worked for a major San Francisco law firm, Long & Levit. He graduated with great distinction from the McGeorge School of Law, University of the Pacific and cum laude from San Francisco State University.

Tough on violent crime, but committed to fairness

In Santa Clara County, Hood is known for being tough on violent crime and for being equally tough in ensuring that justice is done fairly. Defense attorney Javier Rios described Hood as "a highly skilled, straight-shooting prosecutor of unquestioned integrity."

In his campaign speeches and literature, Hood emphasizes the need for both enforcement and prevention in reducting crime. "I believe in tough sentences for violent criminals and gang members, and intervention to keep youth out of trouble in the first place," said Hood.

Mark Hood lives in Pacific Grove with his wife Jeanne Heinzen Hood and their two children.

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- Committee to Elect Mark Hood Judge

Help Mark Win

Received 78% of the vote from the responding members of the Monterey County Bar Association plebiscite (60 out of 77 Bar Association Members)

Endorsed by 80% of the local judges endorsing in this race (12 out of 15)

Endorsed by the largest law enforcement organization in Monterey County and in the State

Also endorsed by:
~ Hon. Justice Nat A. Agliano(Ret.), Presiding Justice, California Court of Appeals
~ Hon.Judge William Curtis (Ret.), Former Monterey County District Attorney
~ Hon.Judge Robert Foley
~ Hon.Judge Larry Hayes
~ Hon.Judge Alan Hedegard (Ret.)
~ Hon.Judge Robert M. Hinrichs (Ret.)
~ Hon.Judge Efren Iglesia
~ Hon.Judge Albert Maldonado
~ Hon.Judge Robert Moody (Ret.)
~ Hon.Judge John Phillips (Ret.)
~ Hon.Judge Jonathan Price
~ Hon.Judge Russell Scott, Monterey County Presiding Judge
~ Hon.Judge Richard Silver (Ret.)
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~ Chuck Della Sala, Mayor of Monterey
~ Joe Grebmeier, Greenfield Police Chief
~ Monterey County Business PAC

~ The Monterey County Deputy Sheriffs' Association
~ Monterey County Hospitality Association
~ Operating Engineers Local #3
~ Peace Officers Research Association of California
~ More on our Endorsements page...