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The holiday celebration in January included akeynote address from Regina Adams.The crowd gathered inside the historic MercedTheatre to hear words of inspiration.Read the whole article as printed in the MercedCounty Times. Learn more about the PublicDefender hoping to bring her skills to the bench inMerced Superior Court.

REGINA ADAMSHear Regina Adams in her own words talk about howimportant it is to have community representation on thebench.
REGINA ADAMS Hear Regina Adams in her own words talk about howimportant it is to have community representation on thebench. REGINA ADAMS Hear Regina Adams in her own words talk about howimportant it is to have community representation on thebench. REGINA ADAMS Hear Regina Adams in her own words talk about howimportant it is to have community representation on the bench.Listen for yourself by clicking the video above.Created by Media Management Group LLC REGINA ADAMS Hear Regina Adams in her own words talk about howimportant it is to have community representation on the bench.Listen for yourself by clicking the video above.Created by Media Management Group LLC REGINA ADAMS Hear Regina Adams in her own words talk about howimportant it is to have community representation on the bench.Listen for yourself by clicking the video above.

Created by Media Management Group LLC 

Vol. 60 Issue 3 • Jan. 25, 2024 Weekly Edition • (209) 383- 0433Regina Adams did what a lot of leaders in thisvalley say they would like smart, talented anddriven native residents to do in their lives andcareers.After she was raised in Merced and attendedlocal schools, she left for college (and in hercase, law school too) and then returned hometo practice in her field of expertise.It’s the kind of career path for locals that canhelp stop the brain drain to larger, moreaffluent areas, and perhaps improve the qualityof life for disadvantaged rural communities.Today, the 38-year old Adams serves Merced and Madera counties as a contractpublic defender. She provides legal services to indigent defendants in criminal lawproceedings as well as minors in delinquency proceedings. “I love being able to serve members of the community,” she says. “I am in a uniqueposition to help people in creative ways. I love that I have access to resources that canhelp change people’s lives.”Adams expresses her thoughts and ideas with the experience and vision of someonewho has a deep understanding of this region and its unique challenges. “I would like to change our juvenile delinquency systemto provide more resources forminors that aren’t readily available at this time, such as substance abuse treatmentprograms,” she says. “I’d also like to see more early intervention to prevent minorsfrom entering the system.”Adams career trajectory has also added to diversity in the local halls of justice. She’spretty much the only local black attorney “running around the courthouse,” she willsay. There might be a few others who from out of town, maybe the Bay Area.However, if Adams’ next career goal in accomplished , she would be the only womanof color presiding over a courtroom as a judge in Merced County.Adams aims to bring justiceunderstanding to court bench Regina Adams By ANDREW HARDY &JONATHAN WHITAKER

Yes, Adams is running for an open judicial seat in this region's Superior Court.She is facing two other candidates, Monika Saini-Donabed (another local woman of color seekingchange), and Carlos Dammeier, a state administrative law judge for an appeals board. They will all be onthe ballot for the March 5 Primary election. If nocandidate gets 50 percent plus 1 of the entire vote tally, the top two vote-getters will head to a runoff inthe November Presidential Election."Many of my colleagues encouraged me to run," she says. "When I entered the race, it was an empty seatwith one person [Saini-Donabed] running. I believe in democracy and that our community should have achoice when it comes to this open seat."Adams says her goals as a judge would be:• To uphold the law• To ensure that justice is carried out• To bring a different perspective to the bench• To help our bench reflect our community and its valuesThe candidate points to her experience in social security/disability law, dependency, delinquency, probateguardianships and conservatorships, adoptions, and criminal defense. She has also engaged in someappellate practice.Raised in Merced Adams says she had a wonderful upbringing by two of the “hardest working people.”My parents instilled discipline in me to reach my goals,” she says. “I grew up playing sports (volleyball,basketball, and softball). I played softball at the collegiate level during my first year, and then I left thegame to focus on my studies.” Adams was an undergraduate at the University of California, San Diego, and she later earned a degreefrom the New England School of Law in Boston. The candidate says her upbringing has shaped her unique perspective. "I am biracial," she explains, "My mother is white and my father is black. I believe that this contributes tomy understanding of different cultures in a unique way."Her parents have owned their own business (All Pro Janitorial Systems) for more than 30 years. *I havewatched them work hard for many years," she says. "They never gave up even when times were tough.They were always persistent."Sports and volunteering was also important in the Adams family. "My dad (who was born and raised inMerced) has always given back to his community through coaching baseball. I grew up in his dugout. Ikept the scorebook every summer and traveled with his team when I didn't have my own tournaments.This part of my upbringing instilled in me that you should give back to your community."In this regard, upon her return to the region after law school,Adams became a founding member of the Merced County Unity Bar, and served as its vice president.This group of local attorneys share the common goal of promoting unity, diversity, equity, and inclusion."I have mentored UC Merced students as well as Merced College students who wish to pursue a career inlaw," she says.Message to votersAdams says she would like Merced County voters to know that:"I am passionate about my work, the community, and bringing a new perspective to our bench. Ibelieve in integrity and honesty. I am not beholden to anyone. I will fair and impartial. I will upholdthe laws of the state of California and the constitution of the state of California and the United States. "I believe in the rule of law and accountability. “I also believe in investing in our community and that justice takes many forms.“I hope to earn the trust of our community and that they will give me the opportunity to serve them ina new capacity.”Continued from front pageAdams THURSDAY, JANUARY 25, 2024THE TIMES

Regina believes in the resiliency and strength of familylearning the value of hard work from examples set by herparents- Regina watched her father leave professional sportsand start his own successful business in Central California thefoundation of Regina’s work ethic, dreams and beliefsRegina Adams legal balance is fair and just Regina was mentored by legendary legal scholar-Merced County’sown Charles Ogeltree Jr. Regina’s legal background and courtroomexperience led her to make the run for Superior Court JudgeRegina Adams comes from a legacy of legal professionals A VOTE for REGINA ADAMS is a vote for Honesty-Experience-Integrity Regina believes in the resiliency and strength of familylearning the value of hard work from examples set by herparents- Regina watched her father leave professional sportsand start his own successful business in Central California thefoundation of Regina’s work ethic, dreams and beliefsRegina Adams legal balance is fair and just Regina was mentored by legendary legal scholar-Merced County’sown Charles Oletree Jr. Reginas legal background and courtroomexperience led her to make the jump to Superior Court JudgeRegina Adams comes from a legacy of legal professionals A VOTE for REGINA ADAMS is a vote for Honesty-Experience-Integrity Regina believes in the resiliency and strength of familylearning the value of hard work from examples set by herparents- Regina watched her father leave professional sportsand start his own successful business in Central California thefoundation of Regina’s work ethic, dreams and beliefsRegina Adams legal balance is fair and justRegina was mentored by legendary legal scholar-Merced County’sown Charles Ogeltree Jr. Regina's legal background and courtroomexperience led her to make the run for Superior Court JudgeRegina Adams comes from a legacy of legal professionalsA VOTE for REGINA ADAMS is a vote forHonesty-Experience-Integrity

Regina Adams Grand Marshall at the Jan 15,2024 MLK Holiday Celebration in downtownMerced.Regina Adams spends time with Merced Countysupporters, present and future, after a ride downthe celebration route as Grand Marshall.ayCelebration in downtown Merced. Regina Adams Grand Marshall at the Jan 15,2024 MLK Holiday Celebration in downtownMerced.Regina Adams spends time with Merced Countysupporters, present and future, after a ride downthe celebration route as Grand Marshall.

A VOTE for REGINA ADAMS is a vote for Honesty-Experience-Integrity A VOTE for REGINA ADAMS is a vote forHonesty-Experience-Integrity
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