Carter Nominated for Federal Bench

Sen. Dianne Feinstein has nominated Orange County Superior Court Judge David O. Carter to be a federal judge.

Feinstein (D-California) nominated Carter, a registered Democrat, on April 22 for a vacant seat on the federal district court bench in the Central District of California, which includes Orange County. Her nomination cited Carter’s bipartisan support, as well as his innovative approaches to halting gang violence and other law enforcement issues.

In a three-page letter to President Clinton, Feinstein noted Carter’s “extraordinary record” as a Municipal and Superior Court judge, as a deputy district attorney and as a Vietnam War veteran. She also highlighted his work helping an estimated 5,000 gang members have tattoos removed to help their chances when they apply for jobs.

“I’m really excited,” Carter said of the nomination. “The nice thing is it’s reflective on all of Orange County. When one person gets nominated it’s really the whole system in a sense--good lawyers, fellow jurists and others who all make the system work.”

Carter received 76 letters of recommendation from supporters across a wide political spectrum, including law enforcement, the California Republican Party, veterans groups, victims rights organizations, Republican and Democratic legislators and members of Congress.