A recent story in The Daily Journal, written by Pat Alston, profiles the rise of L.A. Judge Dan Lowenthal, highlighting his road to success and goals for the future. His Honor is of course part of the long line of government-involved Lowenthals hailing from Long Beach, and the story touches on his bloodline and marriage to current City Councilwoman Suja. But the piece’s main focus lies with his reputation for fairness in the courtroom, as well as his alternative methods. One section reads:
“[Lowenthal] recently presided over the case of Aaron Lorta, a young man charged in the theft of catalytic converters. The jury convicted Lorta of grand theft… Lowenthal sentenced him to three community college classes.
‘He struck me as a person who, if given an opportunity, might very well become a productive member of society,’ Lowenthal said.
The man eventually ended up back in front of Lowenthal’s bench, but the point of the matter is that His Honor is taking a different approach. Lorta is actually attending classes now before his next sentence of work with the Department of Transportation begins, in a prime example of Lowenthal’s efforts to induce positive change.
We’re currently having trouble finding a link to the story online but it will be up as soon as possible.