As a prosecutor, Valerie Summers has dedicated her life to fighting for justice for all members of our community. She excelled as a leader in the District Attorney’s office, overseeing the most serious and violent cases where the most vulnerable of our community have been harmed. She was Chief of the Family Protection Division (2013-2016.) The Family Protection Division was one of the largest divisions in the office, prosecuting domestic violence and domestic homicides; child stealing, child abuse and child homicides; and elder abuse and elder homicide. She was Chief of the Sex Crimes and Human Trafficking Division (2011-2013). The Sex Crimes Division sought justice for victims of sexual assault, stalking, and human trafficking. She was the Assistant Chief of the Gang Prosecution Unit (2007-2011) which addressed murder and other violent crimes committed by gang members. Prior to managing divisions of prosecutors she was also a felony trial team leader in both the Major Violator Team, which prosecuted career criminals who committed violent and serious felonies such as robbery and burglary series, and in the North County Branch.

Valerie has been entrusted with and successfully prosecuted some of the most horrific murder and rape cases committed in the county, to name just a few: People v. Scott Erskine, who in 1993, sexually assaulted and murdered 9-year-old Jonathan Seller and 13-year-old Charlie Keever. People v. Jesse Gomez, who in 2016 open fire on two San Diego Police officers on patrol, killing Officer Jonathan DeGuzman and seriously injuring his partner. People v. John Frediani, who murdered a woman he had sexually assaulted more than a year before in Northern California, for the purpose of eliminating her as a witness against him. People v. Kevin Ford, who raped and murdered a 79-year-old woman who he had been hired to transport to a medical appointment. People v. Marlon Johnson, who murdered an adult father and son with whom he had a conflict at a bus stop. People v. Arturo Rios, who kidnapped and raped a 70-year-old woman who was walking home from the movie theater.

In addition to her leadership positions and proven track record of successful prosecutions, Valerie has been committed to the training of her fellow attorneys, justice partners, the community, and college students. She has been recognized as the statewide expert on Sentencing Law, and over her career she has trained on a variety of subjects including Felony Sentencing, The Law of Homicide, Trial Advocacy, and DNA Analysis. In addition to her prosecutorial and legal training expertise, she has taught criminal justice related Sociology courses at California State University, San Marcos from 1996-2005; and she has taught criminal justice related Sociology courses at the University of California, San Diego since 2007.

Valerie’s commitment to justice has been recognized by her peers and law enforcement. The San Diego Deputy District Attorneys Association awarded her Prosecutor of the Year (2022); the Edwin L Miller, Jr. Lifetime Achievement Award (2019); the Charles Nickel Award for Excellence in Training and Legal Education (2014); and multiple Outstanding Achievement Awards (2001, 2004). She is the recipient of the California District Attorneys Association George Williamson Career Achievement Award (2022) and received the California District Attorney Investigators’ Association Prosecutor of the Year Award (2019). The San Diego Police Officers’ Association recognized her dedication to serving and protecting the public and delivering justice for SDPD Officer JD DeGuzman and his family (2021).

Valerie is a graduate of San Diego State University (go Aztecs!) and Loyola Law School in Los Angeles. She has resided in San Diego for more than 35 years. She is undoubtedly dedicated to our community and a true public servant who is exceptionally qualified to be a Superior Court Judge.