A Twisting Journey for a Judicial Brass Ring
By WILLIAM HAGLE

Staff photo by Faye Chapman Laguna Beach resident Debbie Carrillo is seeking office for the first time, running for judge on the county Superior Court.

Debra Carrillo's path is both winding and breathtaking. A somewhat troubled teen whose mother died early, one of Carrillo's first jobs in the '70s was as the token female records clerk in the Laguna Beach Police Department. She scaled the career ladder quickly, working as a dispatcher and meter maid before finally becoming a sworn officer.

Along the way, the local resident attended law school at night, raised two young boys as a single mother and won a first place medal on the pistol team for the state police Olympics.

But turns along her career path were just beginning. She became a deputy marshal for the county of Orange, worked with the current Laguna Beach mayor in a law firm in 1989, segued into a legal consultant for television producer Steven Bochco, taught as an adjunct law professor in San Diego, and served as an advocate in the Orange County Drug Court.

A few more hairpin job turns led Carrillo to the public defender's office representing criminals at trial and in time to the other side prosecuting criminals as a deputy district attorney. She currently specializes in fraud in the economic crimes unit.

Now, Carrillo has set herself on another uphill climb: she survived a June heat among four candidates vying for a position on the county's Superior Court. She came in first among the four, yet lacked the 51 percent majority needed to win. In November, Carrillo faces another test, a run-off against attorney Kermit Marsh, a Westminster councilman and chairman of Garden Grove Hospital.

Carrillo's breadth of experience starting as an officer of the law, rather than strolling straight into some leafy legal campus after high school, has given her special insights. Having experienced court from various angles, she appreciates the team nature of the legal system, rather than the narrower focus of a newly minted public defender heated up to fight for the underdog.

As part of the court mix, she wants "…to advocate for the truth. I've been privileged to be in the criminal justice system for over 30 years," she said.

Orange County Superior Court Judge Wendy Lindley worked with Carrillo. Lindley's workload averages 100 cases per day and the collective courts she helps run include the drug court, courts for the mentally ill, homeless, and driving under the influence.

Lindley appreciates Carrillo's dedication in those days working together. "She would go way above and beyond what was required for the job and devote evenings and weekends for those in the system." She would even contact other courts on their behalf.

Carrillo's "…fabulous perspective from her various life experience keeps her from getting angry. She treats people with respect," Lindley said.

Lindley isn't alone in supporting Carrillo, who has the endorsement of her former boss, Laguna Beach's mayor, Jane Egly, as well as 50 other judges. The Orange County Bar Association gave her their highest possible rating. Not surprisingly, she also won endorsements from law enforcement and the Association of Orange County District Attorneys and Crime Victims United of California.

Even so, while Carrillo enjoys the applause of her hometown and within the legal community where she is familiar, she has the tough end of a campaign ahead of her. Her campaign manager predicts she will need to raise $200,000 to win the race.

At least one stop along that path is a familiar one. Mayor Egly on Wednesday, Aug. 27, will host a fundraising event for Carrillo from 6 - 8 p.m at Laguna Beach's Marine Room, 214 Ocean Avenue.