Name: CAREN JENKINS
Age: 49
Address: 412 Tahoe Drive, Carson City, Nevada 89703
Phone number and campaign Web site: 775-220-2120
www.carenjenkins.com
e-mail: caren@carenjenkins.com
Education: Bachelor of Science, Parks & Recreation, Penn State University
Masters of Arts, Arts Administration, Golden Gate University
Juris Doctor, Golden Gate University School of Law
Profession: Principal Attorney, Jenkins Law Office, PC
Political experience: Registered and active voter since age 18
Please write a short biography of yourself (you might include such things as birthplace, career, community involvement, family, etc.):
Caren Jenkins came to Carson City in 1984 as Executive Director of the Brewery Arts Center and later moved to the Legislative Counsel Bureau. She was Law Clerk to Nevada Supreme Court Justice Charles E. Springer (ret.) and has worked with former Justices Rose, Shearing, Steffen, Young and Maupin. After years of practice in Las Vegas and the Bay Area, she opened Jenkins Law Office in Carson City, which expanded in 2004 to include Reno and San Francisco offices.
Jenkins lives in Carson City with her spouse J. Farrell Cafferata and children: Dean (age 4) and Quinn (age 3).
Have you ever been arrested? If so, when and for what offense?
No.
Should judges be given more discretion than allowed by current law in imposing sentences? Why?
The legislative branch of our government shapes the law, and provides parameters for judges. A judge's role is not to advocate for or against gaining more discretion; rather, it is to apply the existing law to the cases before the court.
What criteria would you use for deciding whether to impose or affirm sentences outside of standard ranges?
The statutes and cases outline certain mitigating and enhancing factors which judges can consider to elongate or reduce sentences in extraordinary circumstances. A judge's role is to consider all of the facts and circumstances of each case, and evaluate the evidence in light of the legal framework. I would do just that and apply the facts of each case to the relevant law.
What response should society have to prison overcrowding?
We should be outraged and concerned about the number of prisoners, the cost of incarceration, and the recidivism rates. We should acknowledge that our society's response to those who commit crimes is not effective. But we must also acknowledge that prison overcrowding is not an issue that exists in a vacuum. Whether the solution lies in expanding the current systems or implementing a complete renovation of those systems, all aspects of the process must be analyzed and reformed together for any change to be effective.
What has been your greatest accomplishment in your legal career? In your personal life?
Two years ago, I sought appointment to a vacant Judge seat in Carson City. Of all of the applicants, three names (including mine) were forwarded to the Governor for consideration. Two of my current opponents, Mr. Waters and Mr. Wilson, both had applied and their qualifications to serve as Judge were evaluated, but they were not among the top 3 applicants. The objective Nevada Commission on Judicial Selection recognized my qualifications, integrity and competence as a judicial candidate and set me apart from my peers in that process. To date, that has been the highlight of my legal career.
My greatest personal accomplishment has been creating our family. Rather than a typical chronology, I was career focused during my 20's and 30's. Finally, at age 43, after my biological clock had nearly stopped, we decided to grow our family. After exploring standard routes, we investigated assisted reproductive technology. A generous ovum donor helped our dreams come true. I was 45 when I gave birth to Dean, and 47 when Quinn came into this world. Of course, the true accomplishment will be watching, listening and learning as our boys grow into young men and shepherding them along the way.
What is your general judicial philosophy?
Justice is among the most important aspects of a free society. Judges must work to provide access to justice, be dedicated and committed to equal justice under the law and be free from bias. They must have the ability to decide issues according to law, and be courteous, civil, open-minded and compassionate. Even though Lady Justice is not blindfolded at the Storey County Courthouse, Nevadans entrust their judges to be impartial, ethical and just.
Why should voters support you rather than your opponent?
In 2007, according to Nevada's Administrative Office of the Courts, only 15% of the cases filed in the First Judicial District were criminal matters. My opponents' careers have centered mostly on criminal law. Civil and administrative litigation has been the mainstay of my career - I have handled the other 85% of issues addressed in our courts. As an advocate in Family Law (divorce, custody, visitation, child support), Real Estate, Estate Planning & Probate, Elder Law, and Business Law, I have gained an expansive perspective on the legal, financial and practical issues that members of our community face.
Ethics have long been part of my passion - particularly ethics in government. I was appointed by a bi-partisan Legislative Commission to the Nevada Commission on Ethics, which investigates and responds to breaches of Nevada's ethics laws by public officers and employees. I was elected Chairman of the Commission after three years of service, and earned the respect of my peers and the public officers who came before the Commission as a fair, thorough and compassionate leader.
What else would you like to say to voters about your qualifications and ideas?
As our community grows and matures, it must evolve. We are not a one-horse town, and the once lauded "born and raised" attribute is no longer a requirement for public office. I arrived in 1984 at age 25, and Nevada is my home. I have appeared in numerous courts in many jurisdictions and have gathered experience and ideas along the way. I want to use those experiences and ideas to bring our court into the next era.
I want to share my experiences and apply the ideas I have gathered to improve our community's access to justice and to assure that all who come before the judicial branch receive the due process they deserve. What's more, I want to work to re-gain the community's respect for the judiciary - both for its judges and its processes.
I pledge to serve you well as District Court Judge. Thank you for your support. I hope I have earned your vote.