"I understand that the decisions I make as a judge will have a profound effect on the individuals who appear before me… As a judge my foremost priority will be public safety while holding individuals accountable for their actions… Over my 17-year career, I have always exercised my authority and discretion when deciding on which cases to prosecute, what charges to file, and how to resolve a case in order to reach a fair, just and legal outcome,” declared deputy district attorney Cawas Jehangir Mody (better known as CJ within the professional circle) who is seeking to be elected a judge of the San Diego Superior Court in California.
"There are 135 judges on the San Diego Superior Court,” stated Mody who took time off from his hectic campaigning to respond to
Parsiana’s email queries. "Judicial elections and candidates for judicial office are strictly governed by the Judicial Canon of Ethics which allow for very limited forms of campaigning. Specifically, judicial candidates are not allowed to ‘issue campaign’ (discuss their position on issues that they might need to preside over)… Judicial candidates must, however, still advertise their background and qualifications to the 1.8 million registered voters through the 11,000 sq km of San Diego County in order to promote themselves, acquire name recognition and garner votes. This is done through placing signs through the community, social media advertising, and other forms of mass communication which require funding,” explained Mody who is running for Office # 18 and has been recommended by the retiring judge.
He is endorsed by 19 law enforcement organizations, over 50 judges, the California Women’s Leadership Association, South Asian, Pan Asia, Korean and Filipino Bar Organizations, and San Diego Asian Americans for Equality, according to his campaign flyer. San Diego County district attorney Summer Stephan confirmed, "Mody has brought justice to hundreds of victims. He holds public safety and adherence to the constitution as his top priorities and will serve with excellence as a superior court judge.”
Further testimonials for Mody came from many other deputy district attorneys who are his peers: Retired rear admiral from the United States Navy, Patrick McGrath wrote, "I have the unique perspective of supervising the best and the brightest in the military as well as the district attorney’s office… CJ would rank among the very best of those I have evaluated… He often wrestles with himself over the correct outcome on a particular case because he is more interested in achieving justice than winning. I have seen him interact with the family members of deceased victims in some very trying situations and his sensitivity, calmness and ability to defuse potentially explosive situations will serve him very well as a judge.” Gregg McClain commended Mody’s "perspective… and temperament that is well suited for a position as a judicial officer.” Paul Greenwood attested, "I have watched CJ in court, in trainings and in social settings… He will be a great asset to the San Diego Superior Court.”
Since there are only two candidates for Office # 18, Mody and Roberta Winston, the one who receives more than 50% of the votes in the March 3 primary election will be declared the winner, clarified Mody. As elaborated on Wikipedia, "The Superior Court of San Diego County is one of 58 superior courts in California… The 1,535 judges of the California Superior Courts compete in nonpartisan races in even-numbered years.”
Cawas Mody (top and above) with (from l) Annika, Katalin and Ava
Forty-four-year-old Mody has been a deputy district attorney for 17 years and in the last 13 years when associated with the Family Protection Division, he has been prosecuting homicide, domestic violence, child abuse, elder abuse and child pornography cases. As chair of the Domestic Violence Fatality Review Team for the past seven years he leads a collaborative group of partner agencies that review every domestic violence homicide within the county to prevent recurrence of such tragedies.
The high profile cases that garner the most public attention are usually but a small percentage of the matters the judges handle, mentioned Cawas, adding, "Most San Diegans appear before our courts for traffic tickets, family law cases, as jurors, crime victims, or those accused of low-level crimes.”
He is "the first Zoroastrian Indian to aspire for this exalted seat in San Diego County,” his parents Avi and Jehangir Mody, small business owners in San Diego, had earlier shared the news with family and friends in the US. Cawas’s grandfather Maneck Dhanbhoora, a patents and trademarks judge in Bombay, was known for his "fairness, impartiality and the rule of law and that is how I have conducted my life as a prosecutor,” noted Cawas.
Born in Bombay, Cawas studied at The Cathedral and John Connon School until he was 12 years old when his parents decided to migrate to the US for better educational opportunities for their children. Cawas subsequently enrolled at The Bishop’s School and the University of San Diego for his undergraduate and law degrees. Prior to pursuing law studies he worked as a teacher with the San Diego Juvenile Court and Community Schools. "He had a defining moment when he was assigned to teach at a residential program for abused children where he became aware of the integral role the district attorney’s office plays in protecting and fighting for victims and realized the direction he wanted his career to take,” notes his website:
www.cjmodyfor judge.com
Considered one of the foremost experts on firearms law at the district attorney’s office, Cawas is also known to share his expertise in the areas of child abuse, domestic violence, elder abuse, evidence and jury selection at conferences and training programs. Having witnessed the devastating effects of violence on families, he has "worked tirelessly to empower victims to break free from the cycle of violence while holding their abusers accountable.” During his 10 years on the board of directors for the Albert Einstein Academies, he endeavored to bring quality education to all children irrespective of their economic or social background. Putting his acumen to best use, Cawas mentored law students as they prepared to graduate and take the Bar examination. At the University of Phoenix he taught American Government and Law for eight years.
Residing in San Diego since 1987, Cawas is married to Katalin who works for a global medical technology company. They have two daughters, Annika, aged 11 years, and Ava, aged eight, who were navjoted in December 2018. Besides spending time with the family, Cawas enjoys hiking, bicycling, cooking and traveling. Although he is not a member of the local Zoroastrian Association of California, "we do participate in its activities as time permits,” states Cawas.
"Our faith and belief ask us to fight for what is good and righteous, and follow three basic commandments of good thoughts, words and deeds… Among the Amesha Spentas are several ideals which I have always followed throughout my life, specifically good purpose or moral state of mind, truth and righteousness, and justice. My belief and faith in the teachings of Zarathushtra have guided my sense of values… have greatly influenced my desire to serve my community and help protect the society in which I have lived and have molded the way I have lived my personal and professional life,” he revealed.