LAKE COUNTY >> On Wednesday, Lake County District Attorney Don Anderson announced his candidacy for Superior Court Judge during a Christmas party for the District Attorney’s Office.
Anderson explained the decision was the most difficult decision he has had to make in his seven-year tenure with the department. “I have faced a lot of challenges over the past seven years,” he said. “ I have met those challenges and accomplished a lot along the way. But now it is time for me to move on and face new challenges for the betterment of the community, my loved one and myself.”
According to Anderson, the District Attorney’s Office needed a new direction when he took over leadership of the department in January of 2011.
He adds:
“Changes need to be made to improve the efficiency of the department and modernize the prosecution of crime in Lake County that is consistent with the changes in the law. My philosophy is to always aggressively prosecute crime, but to keep a balance between understanding those who commit criminal acts and the compassion that is due their victims. When you can keep that balance then justice can be done.”
Anderson cited several accomplishments he has made while District Attorney. The office conviction rate increased from 66 percent to 87 percent while still taking more cases to trial. He had received national recognition for establishing the country’s first ever perjury intervention unit; created a program that has contributed about $250,000 to local charities; and modernized crime scene investigations. He has personally prosecuted many homicide and high profile cases himself.
In 2014 Anderson received the CNOA Region One prosecutor of the year award and in 2017 received the California Prosecutor of the Year award for his life time achievement to the administration of justice and law enforcement.
Anderson started his career as a Lake County Deputy Sheriff for 15 years where he worked patrol, narcotics and major crime investigations. He was a private attorney for 20 years and practiced civil, family and criminal law. For the past seven years he has been the elected District Attorney for Lake County. In his career he has acted as a Judge Pro Tem, Judicial Arbitrator and Administrative Law Judge.
“As a judge I can take my temperament and experience and apply it to the problems that are facing our county, the courts and the people,” said Anderson.
