“Michelle Ialeggio is one of the finest trial attorneys that have appeared before me. She is smart, professional and honest. I am honored to have her run for my seat on the San Diego Superior Court” – Honorable Harry Elias, San Diego Superior Court Judge
Why I’m Running
Humanity, Integrity, Safety
I am running for the opportunity to serve the citizens of San Diego county as a Superior Court Judge. A judge’s integrity is the bedrock of the judicial system. A judge must be impartial, unbiased, and ethical to secure the public’s confidence.
As a Deputy District Attorney, I have spent the bulk of my career fighting for the most vulnerable of victims: children. I have helped children who were molested, abused, and tortured. These are some of the toughest and most serious cases the criminal justice system sees. I sought out tough and heart-wrenching cases to give a voice to the voiceless. I have prosecuted well over 100 murder, manslaughter, torture, abusive head trauma, child molestation, robbery, stabbing, and rape cases.
As a judge I will make sure everyone’s voice is heard. A judge needs to be a good listener, open-minded, firm, and not afraid to do the right thing. You want a judge with humanity, integrity, and grit. I am that judge.
Michelle’s Three “E’s”
Ethics, Experience, Equality
Ethics. My reputation for being an ethical prosecutor makes me an ideal candidate for Superior Court judge. I have spent the bulk of my career fighting for children who were molested, abused, and tortured. As a prosecutor I worked to secure justice for the most vulnerable in our community. Doing so has informed my principled outlook, which, in turn, underlies the reason I was selected to be the Ethics Advisor of the San Diego District Attorney’s Office, where I currently advise over 300 attorneys. My breadth of experience has given me the sensibility and insight necessary for the fair administration of justice.
Experience. I have one and a half decades of experience in courtrooms.
I have specialized in trying our system’s most complex abuse cases, murder, child molestation, sexual assault, and domestic violence crimes. In my 15 years of experience, I have gained the wisdom to use my discretion and authority judiciously in deciding whether to prosecute, what to charge, and what is a suitable outcome. My career represents a balance of holding violent criminals accountable and being fair to those who need treatment rather than jail. Experience has taught me justice is not a one-size-fits-all model, and my goal as judge is to be fair to all parties appearing before me.
Equality. A Superior Court judge often sees people at their worst, whether in divorce and custody battles, as crime victims, or standing accused of a crime. I recognize that a judge’s decisions affect the everyday lives of San Diegans. As a judge, I will make sure everyone’s voice is heard. A judge needs to listen, be open-minded, be firm, and be unafraid to do the right thing. You want a judge with humanity, integrity, and compassion. I am that judge. It’s why I have the support of a uniquely wide array of people: law enforcement, San Diego Superior Court judges, and criminal defense attorneys. This broad support speaks to my ethical character, breadth of experience, and my ability to administer impartial justice under the law.
