Career Highlights: Appointed Los Angeles County Superior Court judge by Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger, January 2005; deputy district attorney, Los Angeles County, 1986-2005.
Law School: University of the Pacific, McGeorge School of Law, 1986
LOS ANGELES - After 40 years in criminal law -- half as a prosecutor -- Superior Court Judge Craig R. Richman understands the importance of human connections, even with those accused of terrible crimes.
Seated in his chambers, Richman explained how he often engages defendants in casual conversation on unrelated topics to help defuse tensions in the courtroom.
"Some judges take pleasure in increasing pressure. I don't," he said. "If I treat a... (continued)