Jean Myungjin Roland

• Office: Superior Court Judge, Seat 13
• Election Date: March 5, 2024
• Candidate: Roland, Jean Myungjin
• Due Date: December 23, 2023
• Printable Version

Thank you for seeking GrowSF's endorsement for the March 5, 2024 Primary Election! GrowSF believes in a growing, beautiful, vibrant, healthy, safe, and prosperous city via common sense solutions and effective government.

The GrowSF endorsement committee will review all completed questionnaires and seek consensus on which candidates best align with our vision for San Francisco.

We ask that you please complete this questionnaire by December 23, 2023 so we have enough time to adequately review and discuss your answers.

We understand that judge candidates are not permitted to discuss issues which they may have to rule on in the future, so this questionnaire endeavors to help voters understand your background and experience.

Table of Contents

• Experience
• General
• Personal
• Thank you

Experience

Please provide your credentials and general experience in the legal field.

I am a veteran prosecutor with over 22 years experience in the San Francisco District Attorney's office. During my time with the DA I have acted as the Assistant Managing Attorney for the Misdemeanour Unit; the Managing Attorney for the Domestic Violence, Elder Abuse, and Stalking Units; the Managing Attorney for the Juvenile Division; the Managing Attorney for the Child Abuse, Sexual Assault and Child Abduction Unit and I currently serve as the Managing Attorney of the General Felony Trial Unit. This vast array of experience in varied offices gives me the skills and history necessary to adjudicate successfully as a Judge on the Superior Court.

Please describe your experience prosecuting or defending civil cases, if any.

My career has been solely as a public servant to San Francisco in the District Attorney's Office for over 22 years.

Please describe your experience prosecuting or defending criminal cases, if any.

My experience as a trial attorney and also as a manager in various units of the DA's office have served as excellent training for my candidacy as Judge of the Superior Court. As a practicing trial lawyer, I had jury trials while in various units including Misdemeanors, Domestic Violence, General Litigation, Gang Violence, Stalking. As a prosecutor, I have reviewed thousands of criminal cases, weighed the evidence and made tough decisions on those cases.

Please describe any other relevant experience the voters may find informative.

When I was in college, my grandparents — who helped raise me — were subject to a violent home invasion robbery at the hands of three masked and armed men. That was the moment I knew I wanted to be a voice for victims and spent my career being an advocate for victims and public safety. In my career, I have learned that it is important to protect the rights of the Defendant but it is also important to hear victims' voices. We need judges who can balance public safety, accountability, and compassion.

General

Please describe your judicial and/or legal philosophy.

For reasons of integrity laid out by the Judicial Canon, I am unable to stake out specific positions on policy or legal philosophy. My approach to my role as Judge will be based on upholding the letter of the law and above all on fairness and justice for all.

What should voters consider when voting for Judge?

They should consider background and experience, judging for themselves how capable the candidates are of upholding justice and equity in the courtroom.

If you are the incumbent, please state why you should retain your seat. If you are the challenger, please state why you deserve the seat and/or why the incumbent is not fit for the job.

Judicial Canon prevents me from making specific critiques of the incumbent's record. My own record in the DA's office — as a staunch advocate for victims, as an innovative manager dealing with underreported crimes, and as a prosecutor focused on public safety — speaks for itself.

Personal

Tell us a bit about yourself!

I was born in Korea and my parents immigrated to America when I was one year old. I was raised in San Francisco, and attended West Portal Lutheran, Lowell High School and UC Berkeley. My parents worked incredibly hard to get me to where I am, and I consider myself a true product of the American Dream.

How long have you lived in San Francisco? What brought you here and what keeps you here?

I grew up and lived in the city for almost my entire life. I have worked as a public servant to San Francisco for the last 22 years. My children attend schools in San Francisco and we are deeply embedded in the community through school activities, after school activities, sports clubs, volunteer service. What keeps me here are my memories of San Francisco as a child and the ones I am building now with my children.

What do you love most about San Francisco?

I love the people. I am inspired by the people in the communities who come together to share ideas and support one another regardless of race, gender, background. The diversity in the city allows for people of all backgrounds to speak their voice and be supported in all endeavors. This is how my parents and all immigrants overcame their struggles to carve out a place in this new country.

What do you dislike the most about San Francisco?

My elderly Asian mother is afraid to walk the streets by herself. I have fear every time my son wants to take the bus after school. I am not alone in these fears. When people are afraid to be on the streets in San Francisco, something is wrong here.

Tell us about your current involvement in the community (e.g., volunteer groups, neighborhood associations, civic and professional organizations, etc.)

I have been active in the community, including organizing community outreach and volunteerism through St Cecilia and coaching mock trials at St Ignatius to encourage students interested in pursuing law. The city deserves judges who were raised and are embedded in our community.

What are the top three things you think need to change about San Francisco?

Due to the obligations of the Judicial Canon, I cannot make policy or political statements.

Thank you

Thank you for giving us your time and answering our questionnaire. We look forward to reading your answers and considering your candidacy!