The Honorable Robert F. Cochran will be stepping down as judge in the Superior Court. His departure leaves a judicial vacancy in Del Norte County. Two qualified candidates are seeking the black robes for a six-year term.The primary election will take place, Tuesday, March 5, and your ballot will display both candidates.Keith Morris: CA Bar member 225835 was admitted to the State Bar on June 10, 2003.#placement_573654_0_i{width:100%;max-width:550px;margin:0 auto;}var rnd = window.rnd || Math.floor(Math.random()*10e6);var pid573654 = window.pid573654 || rnd;var plc573654 = window.plc573654 || 0;var abkw = window.abkw || '';var absrc = 'https://ads.empowerlocal.co/adserve/;ID=181918;size=0x0;setID=573654;type=js;sw='+screen.width+';sh='+screen.height+';spr='+window.devicePixelRatio+';kw='+abkw+';pid='+pid573654+';place='+(plc573654++)+';rnd='+rnd+';click=CLICK_MACRO_PLACEHOLDER';var _absrc = absrc.split("type=js"); absrc = _absrc[0] + 'type=js;referrer=' + encodeURIComponent(document.location.href) + _absrc[1];document.write(''); Keith Morris A product of Northern California, Keith earned his undergraduate degree from Weber State University in Ogden, Utah and graduated from the University of New Hampshire School of Law in May of 2002. Morris began his career as a deputy district attorney in Del Norte and Amador counties. Morris started his own private practice. In 2017, Morris returned to Del Norte County, working as a public defender and private attorney. He’s appeared before judges in 15 different California counties. Morris shares, “a judge must be patient, level-headed, fair-minded and attentive. Judges serve the public and are the guardians of Constitutional protections. A judge must discern truth from lies and make decisions founded on persuasive evidence that rest on Constitutional principles. Ours is not a perfect system, but it is the best system in the world. As your judge, I would strive everyday to bring honor to the judicial bench and treat everyone with dignity all deserve.”When asked what are greatest challenges facing the judiciary in California, Morris responded, “California has the largest judicial system of the 50 states. I believe meaningful public access is a challenge. In addition, the sheer amount of population dictates a massive caseload from the largest counties down to the smallest, which in turn result in delays.”Karen Olson: CA Bar member 207995 was admitted to the State Bar in July of 2000. Karen Olson Olson earned her bachelor’s degree from California State University, Chico and earned her juris doctorate degree from ABA-accredited California Western Law School in San Diego. A practicing attorney in Del Norte County for 23 years, Olson has been recognized with several commendations including American Jurisprudence, Cal Western Academic Achievement and the Corpus Juris Secundum awards.Upon passing the state bar, Olson worked as a prosecutor in the Del Norte County District Attorney’s office, becoming chief deputy district attorney. For the past decade, Olson has worked as a public defender and private attorney.When asked what are the challenges facing the judicial System in California, Olson responded “the two most prevalent challenges the scarcity of judicial resources available to meet the needs of the community and the rapidly changing laws in California.”Both candidates will be reaching out in social media, fundraisers and public forums, when available. googletag.cmd.push(function() { googletag.display('ad-1515727'); });