Candidates for Riverside County Superior Court — Office No. 10

Nearly 40 years in the justice system. Began her career as a 911 dispatcher for Riverside PD/FD. Spent 25 years as a prosecutor at the Riverside County DA's Office, rising to Assistant District Attorney. Took more than 100 serious and violent felony cases to jury trial, specializing in child abuse and homicide. Recognized as California's Prosecutor of the Year. Served as Chief Deputy DA overseeing Major Crimes and Special Prosecution Units (2015), then Assistant DA running Indio/Blythe offices (2016) and downtown Riverside (2019). Since 2023, serves as Assistant County Executive Officer for Public Safety, overseeing Sheriff, DA, Public Defender, Probation, Fire, and Emergency Management. JD from University of San Diego School of Law. Mother of four, grandmother of three. Endorsed by the Presiding Judge, the District Attorney, the Public Defender, the Sheriff, the entire Board of Supervisors, and a massive bipartisan list of community leaders.[1]

19 years in the criminal justice system, with experience on all three sides — prosecutor, public defender, and judge pro tem. San Bernardino County prosecutor (2007-2008) handling juvenile trials. Director of the Riverside County Bar Association's Legal Aid program (2009-2011), providing free legal assistance to low-income residents. Riverside County Public Defender (2011-2017), then rejoined the Riverside DA's Office as a prosecutor (2017-2018), specializing in felony domestic violence, general felonies, and misdemeanors. Handled employment law for first responders at Castillo Harper (2018-2019). Since 2019, runs her own criminal defense firm. Since October 2023, has volunteered as a judge pro tem, filling in for absent judges to reduce caseloads. JD from Creighton University School of Law. Mother of three. Currently managing a caseload of 188 general felony cases while campaigning.[4]

Nearly 20 years practicing law in state and federal courts. California State Bar-certified specialist in immigration law. Founded Garcia Immigration Law Group (2016). Recruited by Riverside County Public Defender's Office (2018) to create their first in-house immigration unit. Joined San Bernardino Public Defender's Office (2023) as their first attorney focused on post-conviction relief for foreign-born clients — handling the intersection of criminal and immigration law ("crimmigration"). JD from DePaul University College of Law. Teaches at La Verne University College of Law and Monterey College of Law. Volunteers in San Bernardino's mobile defense program and homeless courts. Provides immigration law training to public defenders nationwide. Endorsed by a broad cross-section of judges across multiple Southern California counties.[7]

Three well-qualified candidates seek to replace retiring Judge Harold Hopp in Riverside County's only contested judicial race. Key dynamics:

• Michelle Paradise is the clear front-runner. She has the most extensive endorsement list (Presiding Judge, DA, Public Defender, Sheriff, Board of Supervisors, 15+ judges, dozens of mayors), the longest courtroom experience (100+ trials, 25 years as prosecutor), and executive leadership of the county's entire public safety apparatus. Her campaign has the most visible infrastructure. The Press-Enterprise's editorial board praised all three but noted Paradise would make "excellent appointments" to future open seats.
• Jennifer Loflin is the only candidate with experience on all three sides (prosecution, defense, judge pro tem). Her argument is uniquely balanced perspective — she's been in every seat in the courtroom. She runs her own firm and actively manages a heavy caseload while campaigning.
• Andrea Garcia brings a unique specialization in immigration law, which is increasingly relevant to California's courts. The Press-Enterprise editorial board favored Garcia for her immigration expertise. Her judicial endorsements span multiple counties, suggesting broad respect across the legal community.
• If no one gets 50%+1 in the primary, the top two advance to November. Paradise is the most likely to clear the majority threshold given her institutional support, but a runoff between any two of the three is possible.

Primary: June 2, 2026 — General (if needed): November 3, 2026