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THE CRIMINAL COURTS BAR ASSOCIATION WELCOMES ....
EDWARD A. RUCKER, Attorney and Author

"Sentencing Reform-Convincing Judges and
Prosecutors to Consider the Economic Burden"

For decades, Ed. Rucker was one of our most prominent criminal defense lawyers. He represented numerous high-profile clients, including John Orr, the greatest serial arsonist in American history, a trial memorialized in Fire Lover by Joseph Wambaugh; Laurianne Sconce, . the matriarch of the Lamb Funeral Home, whose trial was the subect of Ashes by James Joseph; Eddie Nash, a prominent nightclub owner portrayed in Boogie Nights; and William Harris, the SLA member who kidnaped Patty Hearst.

Ed's Bobby Earl novels have been praised for their authenticity and gripping suspense. His latest novel, Justice Makes A Killing (Chickadee Prince Books/Amazon) is already being acclaimed: "A thoroughly enjoyable page-turner . . . The classic courtroom drama at the heart of this story is perfectly orchestrated, and the seemingly impossibly odds makes Earl's masterful handling of evidence, witnesses, opposing counsel, the jury, and the judge wonderfully satisfying to read." (Kirkus Reviews.)

Rucker's research for this novel required him to explore how California's prison guard union has single-handedly shaped our sentencing laws for their own economic self-interest. Their ally in this effort has been the state private prison industry whose profit motive has shaped prisons into revolving door warehouses. The economic burden these forces have placed upon the taxpayers is generally unknown, seldom considered by judges and prosecutors during sentencing. Bringing these truths out may benefit our clients who can be effectively punished with far lesser time than that tfrequently urged and imposed upon society by the prison industry forces.

Tuesday, September 10, 2019
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Board Meeting at 6:00 p.m.
Cocktails/Reception at 6:30 p.m.
Dinner Meeting begins promptly at 7:00 p.m.
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NOTE - NEW DINNER PRICES ....
✓ $35 per person for current PAID CCBA members, current PAID preferred sponsors,
and all active judicial officers;
✓ $45 per person for all others.
(checks, cash or credit cards accepted at door;
checks payable to "Criminal Courts Bar Association")
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Taix French Restaurant
1911 Sunset Blvd (just east of Alvarado St)
Los Angeles, CA 90026
Map to location
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1.0 MCLE Credit
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Reservations advised.
Reply by email at criminalcourtsbarassociation@gmail.com
or contact Alex Mulraney at 626-577-5005.
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FOR YOUR CONVENIENCE, ONLINE REGISTRATION
AND PAYMENT BY CREDIT CARD WILL BE AVAILABLE SOON HERE AT "SEE EVENTS"

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EARLY ANNOUNCEMENT!!

Our 2020 Criminal Courts Bar Association 67th Annual Awards Dinner
will take place Saturday, March 28, 2020, at the
Millennium Biltmore Hotel in Downtown Los Angeles
(This early announcment is being released so that you can mark
your calendar and save the date)
Further details will be released when available ....
Please direct any questions to our 2020 President-Elect,
Mark Khalaf, at LACCBAEvents@gmail.com

Victor M. Salerno,
2019 CCBA President

President's Message

I am very happy, honored, and excited to welcome all of you to the Criminal Courts Bar Association. As judges, prosecutors, defense attorneys, courtroom assistants, journalists, law enforcement and probation officers, we all play important roles in making the justice system operate as smoothly and fairly as possible. It is no easy task! Often we hear about shortcomings, criticisms , and failures. In my view however there is a very deserved sense of pride, satisfaction, and esteem, which everyone of us share in our mutual commitment to do the best we can to serve the People of the County of Los Angeles and State of California. Justice is served every day in our courthouses and courtrooms, and often with little or no fanfare .

I served with the Los Angeles County Public Defender from 1979 through 1988, when I left as a Deputy IV to enter private practice . I moved up the street from the 19th floor of the CCB (Now the Clara Shortridge Foltz Criminal Justice Center) to the Promenade West Building on First Street, where I have "officed" ever since.

I am lucky and blessed to still enjoy my occupation as a trial lawyer, and to be in good health and of (arguably) sound mind such that I am able to effectively represent clients in the courtroom! But my greatest pleasure is the daily exposure to all of you and those who I see in the courtrooms and courthouses across the county; the comradery, companionship, exchange of pleasantries, and mutual respect with which we perform our different services and make it through the day. I believe in zealous, passionate representation of my clients, but seek to do so with grace, understanding of the opposing viewpoint, and respect for the Court and all its officers who serve like me.

The Criminal Courts Bar Association is comprised of many defense practitioners, but is open to judges, prosecutors, investigators, and anyone who works in the justice system. Our monthly dinner night meetings provide informative and entertaining MCLE programs, as well as great food and a relaxed, friendly atmosphere.

Thank you all for attending our meetings and events and I hope to see you soon.