Candidates state their cases to be a Stanislaus County judge

The top two vote-getters in the six-way primary for a Stanislaus County Superior Court judgeship are deep into a head-to-head campaign to win the seat in November.

Superior Court Commissioner Nancy Williamsen says her time "doing the work of a judge" by hearing cases makes her the best-qualified candidate. She also noted her past as a private attorney included criminal, civil and family law casework.

"I wear the black robe," Williamsen said. "I am the best candidate for this position."

Deputy District Attorney Shawn D. Bessey said the number of cases he's taken before a jury gives him the edge.

"It's more than most attorneys will do in all their lifetime," Bessey said.

Bessey's 11-year law career has been limited to criminal prosecution. But he said that isn't a liability. Thirteen of the county's 21 courts do criminal cases, he said, and the majority of civil court judges have backgrounds as prosecutors.

"I know I can transcend into those other areas of law," Bessey said.

In an hourlong interview with The Bee, Williamsen and Bessey also discussed the U.S. government's "war on drugs" and gave their opinions on how well the county courts are operating.

Williamsen praised the county courts for helping people who don't have the assistance of lawyers and for creating what are known as problem-solving courts -- Drug Court and Mental Health Court -- that seek to keep those with such problems from cycling through the criminal justice system.

"It's not perfect, but we're very innovative," William-sen said.

Bessey said courtroom efficiency can be improved, noting that fewer attorneys with larger caseloads compound the problem.

"As a judge, you realize that you are in charge of the efficiency of your court and you need to ... help move things along," he said.

Williamsen and Bessey backed the government's war on drugs but gave no specifics on how it should be fought.

Both declined to share their views on Proposition 19, an effort to legalize marijuana that will go before California voters in November, saying that as judicial candidates they cannot discuss their views on an initiative that could become law.

Fighting drugs at home

"Substance abuse reaches to the heart of our community," Williamsen said. "It does not appear we are losing."

She compared progress in the United States with the crisis in Mexico, where 28,000 people have been killed since a crackdown on drug cartels began in 2006.

As a juvenile prosecutor, Bessey said, some of the problems he saw were influenced by a child's parents' drug abuse.

"I think it needs to be fought," Bessey said.

Bessey has spent more money than Williamsen on his campaign. He has pulled in roughly $36,800 since January and spent nearly $30,000. His brother's background in the entertainment business helped him collect contributions from top producers at the celebrity television show "Entertainment Tonight." He also received more than $1,500 worth of automated campaign calls and advertising from the Modesto Police Officers Association in May.

Bessey said endorsements from area law enforcement groups won't influence his decisions from the bench, a charge some former candidates lodged against him during the June primary.

Williamsen has collected about $31,000 and spent nearly $22,000 of that since the beginning of the year.

Notable contributions include $400 from sitting county Superior Court Judge John G. Whiteside.

County residents will cast their votes for Superior Court judge Nov. 2.

Bee staff writer Merrill Balassone can be reached at mbalassone@modbee.com or 578-2337.