Meet the Superior Court Judge Candidate: April Van Dyke

In partnership with KMUD News, Redheaded Blackbelt is publishing a Meet the Candidate interview series with the candidates and incumbents running for elected positions within Humboldt County. Each candidate, interviewed by the KMUD News Department, was asked a series of questions. None were given the questions in advance, and each were allotted 15 minutes to answer the questions and provide their closing statement. 

KMUD News interviewed the incumbent and challenger for Humboldt County Superior Court Judge. We will be featuring one candidate per day, in alphabetical order. Today we are featuring Superior Court Judge candidate, April Van Dyke. 

KMUD News: Introduce yourself and share a little overview and background on who you are as a person. 

My name is April Van Dyke. I am an attorney, currently. I’ve been an attorney for 14 years now. My career: I’ve done public defense my entire career, so [I] represented those who could not afford attorneys. 

In 2019, I moved up here to Humboldt, and continued working in public defense work. So that’s a little bit about myself.

KMUD News: Can you provide a brief overview of your qualifications and experiences that uniquely equip you for the role as Superior Court Judge?

So, like I said, I’ve been an attorney for, going on, 14 years now …and been in public defense my entire career. 

When I came to Humboldt in 2019, I was concerned about disparity in sentencing among people of color in our community. I was the first one to run a motion under the Racial Justice Act …to try and get some equity in the criminal legal system, here. When I ran that motion, I discovered that 24% of the population of lifers–people who are sentenced to life with the possibility of parole, so they could be paroled–were native. And we only have a 6% population of Native individuals here. 

I also was able to look at the statistics of charging …those crimes; Our black community is charged …three times that of their white counterparts, and the Native community is charged with twice that of their white counterparts. So, I really think that there’s an issue with disparity of sentencing in our community. So, I really want to work on that. 

I also have had …experience in legislation reform. I was on the California Public Defenders Association Legislative Committee to try and work on getting some legislation passed. I also was the drafter of a bill, that is law now, about photo lineups and making them more reliable, essentially. 

So, I am a dedicated public servant–my entire career. And I want to bring thoughtful, equal justice to Humboldt County. I think that it’s important to have a judge who will look at the law and apply the law as required.

KMUD News: If elected, what goals would you like to accomplish?

So, there is the goal of trying to discuss, even just address, disparity in sentencing. …I spoke about that, a bit, …and implementing fair justice for all people in Humboldt County. 

I also think that Humboldt County has a mental health crisis. We don’t have what’s called a CARE Court, which was passed recently in the legislature, and they give grant money to counties to establish CARE Courts to try and help curb the mental health crises that lots of counties are having. And we are not immune to that here in Humboldt County. And we don’t have a dedicated mental health court. I think it’s super important. 

And in my work, when we have a mental health crises, [the] recidivism rate goes up if they don’t get treatment or services. We have drug issues when you have mental health, at play, as well. So, I think that having a dedicated mental health court would be hugely important to Humboldt County. So, that’s one thing that I think is super important. 

I also think that integrity in the courtroom is super important. So, for Humboldt County to be able to trust their judges to not give favor, or rule on fear based on personal relationships, or anything like that.

KMUD News: With your remaining time would you like to share additional information about yourself or any closing remarks? 

So, I think it’s important for Humboldt County. I know judge elections are not super well-reported upon, and people vote as [if it’s] an afterthought, or don’t even know the judges. And I think that judicial elections are incredibly important. And having the right person on the bench is incredibly important. 

I have been …described as …an outsider. And I certainly would say, I’m not an insider. …I am someone who is just an average person, …My mom was the first person to graduate from college in our entire family. I’m the first and only lawyer. I grew up in a trailer. I am not a person who has a lot of political connections, …I just want to do what’s best for the community. 

And I think that right now we have a status quo of …disparate sentences for people of color. I think that needs to change. 

I also think that we shouldn’t have judges who use their position to benefit themselves. I think it’s super important to have a judge that is hardworking, and willing to be a judge on all cases, and not have a ton of conflicts in that aspect. 

So, I just want there to be justice and equality in Humboldt County. And I really think that that’s my goal in this race… to kind of highlight the importance of a judge race and the importance of the people who Humboldt County selects to sit on their bench.

 …My website is April4judge.com. Also, April, and the spelled out ‘for’, works too. So either way, people can see me there. I have my kickoff speech posted up there. There’s ways to get yard signs, volunteer, donate, ask me questions. I’m relatively responsive to the email, I can normally respond to people within 24 hours or so. So that’s where people can find me. And then they might find me knocking on their front door. 

So, that’s what I’m doing here in Humboldt.

Candidate answers were transcribed from an audio interview, and lightly edited for reading clarification where noted. 

For more information on April Van Dyke’s campaign, visit the April 4 Judge website, on Instagram, Facebook, or contact Van Dyke by email at [email protected] or by phone at (707) 225-5604.

Humboldt County Meet the Candidate Forums:

1st District Candidates:

• Meet the Candidate: Jerry McGuire
• Meet the Candidate: Gordon Clatworthy
• Meet the Candidate: Rex Bohn

2nd District Candidates:

• Meet the Candidate: Brian Roberts
• Meet the Candidate: Jeana McClendon
• Meet the Candidate: Michelle Bushnell

3rd District Candidates:

• Meet the Candidate: Mike Wilson
• *Note: 3rd District Candidate, Roy Gomez, declined to participate in the KMUD Meet the Candidate forums.

Superior Court Judge:

• Meet the Superior Court Judge Candidate: Gregory Kreis
• Meet the Superior Court Judge Candidate: April Van Dyke