Independence means you decide according to the law and the facts.

I would guess my law clerks could meet (that standard) every day,

At least there's a political input, but when you put on the robe, at that point the politics is over.

We believe that the first prosecutions should occur in those jurisdictions that provide the best law, the best facts and the best range of available penalties,

In every matter we make our decisions based on the facts and the law.

The firing of my assistant was nothing but a political pay back because I stated the facts and the law regarding the senior center initiative petition. There has been an assistant to the clerk for the past 17 years, a lot longer than there has been an administrator or administrative assistant.