Crime Victims United

One of the most troubling parts of this election cycle has been the amount of gaslighting and minimizing surrounding very real facts, very real concerns, and very real cases.

Unfortunately, victims and survivors are not strangers to this type of behavior. Too often, when difficult questions are asked or uncomfortable facts are raised, the response is to dismiss, deflect, or attempt to minimize the discussion rather than address it directly.

At the end of the day, the facts are the facts — and it is up to the community to decide whether they believe this type of judicial discretion reflects the values and judgment they want on the bench.

Judicial elections exist for a reason. They exist so the public can ask themselves important questions about accountability, transparency, courtroom philosophy, and public safety.

This race is not about personal attacks. It is about whether the community believes an individual accused in a case involving children should have been allowed to work with children unsupervised, and whether that decision reflects appropriate judicial judgment.

The choice belongs to the community.

Thank you to the Placer County Prosecutors Association for having the courage to come forward, share the facts, and help educate the public on why judicial elections matter.

Here’s a takeaway that should really make you think: “CHCF provides medical care and mental health treatment to incarcerated people who have the most severe and-long term needs.”

Yet victims’ families get none of this to help them through the mental trauma of their loss. Or to provide for their medical needs when they lose the one who used to provide that. Nothing.

Condemned Incarcerated Person Richard Ramirez Dies - News Releases STOCKTON – Richard R. Ramirez, who was serving a condemned sentence, died on May 24, 2026, while incarcerated at California Health Care Facility (CHCF). He wa

Our amazing board member Debbie Boyd, shows once again, how powerful survivor voices can be in every step of the process. This article is a must read for anyone who wants to learn more about the importance of judicial races.

“The sentiment surrounding the Placer County judicial race reveals something much larger than a disagreement over one election. It reveals a growing discomfort with the idea that local communities have input in their judiciary.

Crime Victims United has spent decades inside courtrooms, as attorneys, advocates, victims, survivors and justice professionals. We regularly defend judicial discretion because we understand how essential it is to a functioning justice system. We know judges must make difficult calls. We know discretion carries enormous responsibility.

But discretion also carries accountability.”

Judicial accountability is not ‘misinformation’ – it’s democracy The sentiment surrounding the Placer County judicial race reveals something much larger than a disagreement over one election - a growing discomfort with the idea that local communities have input in their judiciary.

We at Crime Victims United are a non-partisan organization made up of men and women from every walk of life. We fight for a balanced judicial system, rooted in respect for victims and community safety.

Survivors are mothers.
Survivors are minorities.
Survivors are members of their communities.
Survivors come from every walk of life.

There is a troubling trend emerging that seeks to turn judicial races into partisan political fights. Judicial accountability should not be partisan.

There is also a troubling trend of suggesting that people who are not sitting on the bench should somehow not have a voice in the judicial election process. That is deeply unsettling in a democracy.

We are also seeing legitimate discussions about courtroom records, sentencing trends, and judicial philosophy dismissed as “misinformation” or “ridiculous” simply because people dare to ask questions.

Our endorsement process is rooted in courtroom experience, lived experience, and decades of working in and around the justice system. Many of us have spent over two decades participating in legal proceedings, supporting victims, and working alongside legal professionals in courtrooms day in and day out to advocate for safer communities. That experience matters.

As we head into the June election, we want the public to know this: the voices of victims and survivors will not be silenced or minimized into partisan talking points.

Here’s to decency.
Here’s to open discussions.
Here’s to democracy.
And here’s to doing what is best for our local communities.

Sincerely,
Harriet Salarno
Founder
Crime Victims United

𝐏𝐥𝐚𝐜𝐞𝐫 𝐣𝐮𝐝𝐠𝐞 𝐠𝐢𝐯𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐛𝐞𝐧𝐜𝐡 𝐰𝐚𝐫𝐫𝐚𝐧𝐭𝐬 𝐭𝐨 𝐫𝐞𝐩𝐞𝐚𝐭 𝐨𝐟𝐟𝐞𝐧𝐝𝐞𝐫𝐬 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐚𝐬 𝐥𝐨𝐰 𝐚𝐬 $𝟏𝟎
𝐵𝑒𝑛𝑐ℎ 𝑤𝑎𝑟𝑟𝑎𝑛𝑡𝑠 𝑚𝑎𝑡𝑡𝑒𝑟. 𝐴𝑐𝑐𝑜𝑢𝑛𝑡𝑎𝑏𝑖𝑙𝑖𝑡𝑦 𝑚𝑎𝑡𝑡𝑒𝑟𝑠. 𝐴𝑛𝑑 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑡𝑜𝑛𝑒 𝑠𝑒𝑡 𝑒𝑎𝑟𝑙𝑦 𝑖𝑛 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑐𝑟𝑖𝑚𝑖𝑛𝑎𝑙 𝑗𝑢𝑠𝑡𝑖𝑐𝑒 𝑝𝑟𝑜𝑐𝑒𝑠𝑠 𝑚𝑎𝑡𝑡𝑒𝑟.

One of the most basic responsibilities in the justice system is showing up to court. When repeated failures to appear carry little to no consequence, it can undermine respect for the court process and weaken accountability early on.

This is especially important at the misdemeanor level, where early intervention can help prevent future offenses and create opportunities for rehabilitation and success. A balanced justice system should provide pathways forward for eligible offenses — but those pathways still require accountability.

Key points to consider:
• Court orders and court appearances must carry meaning
• Early accountability can help prevent escalating behavior
• Bench warrants can be resolved simply by appearing in court
• Accountability and rehabilitation can work together
• Public confidence and consideration in the court system matters

Bench warrant policies do not just impact one case — they help set the tone for the entire justice system.

Learn more here:

LOW BAIL ON BENCH WARRANTS RAISES QUESTIONS ABOUT ACCOUNTABILITY, COURT NO SHOWS, AND COMMUNITY CONFIDENCE | Placer Judge Watch It has been publicly reported that Judge Dixson routinely set misdemeanor bench warrant bail amounts as low as $10 in certain cases. This is what ensures defendants show up to court.

If you live in Placer County, you have probably started seeing the mailers, billboards, and political ads surrounding the local judicial race.

Many community members are beginning to ask an important question:

Who is funding this — and why?

As this article explains, much of the money flooding into this race is not coming from everyday residents of Placer County. It is coming from outside political action committees and special interests attempting to influence the future of our local courts.

This matters because judges make decisions that directly impact victims, families, public safety, and the future of our community. Judicial races should be about fairness, accountability, courtroom experience, and protecting the integrity of the justice system — not outside groups attempting to preserve power and silence criticism.

Many survivors, law enforcement leaders, and community advocates believe this race has become about something much larger than one election. It is about whether victims and community members are allowed to speak up, ask questions, and hold powerful institutions accountable without being drowned out by outside money and political pressure.

Every billboard.
Every mailer.
Every attack ad.

Voters deserve to know who is paying for it and what their motivations are.

This race is critical for Placer County and could set an important precedent for judicial accountability moving forward.

The time is now to take our voice back vote Dave Bass for Placer County Judge 2026 June 2.

Placer voters should reject outside influence in judicial race The California Constitution is pretty clear – if a vacancy occurs before an election, the governor makes a temporary appointment until the next election. Temporary. Then, local voters get to choose the judge.

We were honored to participate in yesterday’s Second Annual Survivor Advocacy Day.

Our very own incredible board member, Debbie Boyd, served as one of the presenters, and the impact of yesterday’s event could truly be felt throughout the Capitol.

This is an incredible effort focused on ensuring victims and survivors are trained, supported, empowered, and prepared to elevate their voices to help affect meaningful change across California.

The momentum, passion, and courage in the room were undeniable — and there is so much more good work ahead.

𝐂𝐨𝐧𝐜𝐞𝐫𝐧𝐞𝐝 𝐜𝐢𝐭𝐢𝐳𝐞𝐧𝐬 𝐥𝐚𝐮𝐧𝐜𝐡 𝐏𝐥𝐚𝐜𝐞𝐫𝐉𝐮𝐝𝐠𝐞𝐖𝐚𝐭𝐜𝐡.𝐜𝐨𝐦 𝐭𝐨 𝐩𝐫𝐨𝐦𝐨𝐭𝐞 𝐣𝐮𝐝𝐢𝐜𝐢𝐚𝐥 𝐭𝐫𝐚𝐧𝐬𝐩𝐚𝐫𝐞𝐧𝐜𝐲 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐜𝐢𝐯𝐢𝐜 𝐞𝐝𝐮𝐜𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧
Website includes a secure, anonymous whistleblower hotline

PLACER COUNTY, CA — A group of concerned citizens has officially launched PlacerJudgeWatch.com, a new civic education and judicial transparency initiative designed to help residents better understand the role of judges, the court process, judicial elections, and the impact courtroom decisions have on local communities.

The website serves as an informational resource focused on public education, civic engagement, and accountability within the judicial system. The initiative also includes a secure, anonymous whistleblower submission portal intended to allow community members, courtroom observers, and individuals interacting with the justice system to report concerns, observations, or experiences related to courtroom proceedings and judicial conduct.

“Judges are elected officials, and like every elected official, accountability and public trust matter,” organizers said. “Our courts play a direct role in shaping public safety, victim confidence, business stability, quality of life, and faith in our institutions. An informed public is essential to a healthy democracy.”

Organizers emphasized that the project is not an attack on the judiciary, noting that Placer County and California are home to many respected and honorable judges, including many who were initially appointed to the bench. This effort is intended to preserve trust in the judiciary and also highlight the incredible work being done by judges serving in Placer County and beyond.

“This effort is about transparency, civic awareness, and reminding the public that judicial elections matter,” organizers stated. “The time has come for deeper community engagement in the judicial process and for residents to better understand the important role judges play in our everyday lives.”

The website includes:

⚠️Educational information about judicial elections and court processes
⚠️Public resource links and court access information
Community commentary and civic engagement opportunities
⚠️A secure, anonymous judicial transparency hotline
⚠️Organizers say the initiative is intended to continue fostering transparency, accountability, and confidence within the local justice system both during election season and beyond.

Residents can learn more or submit information at: www.PlacerJudgeWatch.com

A victim’s perspective on judges … a very worthwhile read, especially before you vote!

Superior Court judge race critical to future of Placer County Our judges are vital to the future of the Placer County community. I should know, my daughter's death led to the first fentanyl murder conviction in the State of California.