A.V. JUDGE HONORED TO HEAD ASSOCIATION.

Byline: Karen Maeshiro Daily News Staff Writer

Antelope Municipal Court Judge Richard Spann has become the first Antelope Valley jurist in 24 years to head the 189-member Los Angeles County Municipal Court Judges' Association.

The last local judicial officer elected to the yearlong post was Judge William Wright, who held it in 1972, officials said.

"It's quite an honor. I look forward to doing it," said Spann, 61.

As part of his duties, Spann will monitor the impact on the courts of the state's "three strikes, you're out" law, and work with a special committee that will oversee work toward coordinating operations of superior and municipal courts to make them more efficient, as mandated by state court rules adopted last year.

The "three strikes" law requires prison terms of 25 years to life for people convicted of a felony after two previous convictions for felonies considered violent or serious.

"The effect of 'three strikes' on jail overcrowding is one that concerns us quite a bit," Spann said.

Spann was elected chairman Saturday at the association's annual meeting. The organization is made up of the 189 judges of the county's 24 municipal court districts, a membership that accounts for nearly 40 percent of the municipal court judicial officers statewide.

Established in 1952, the association seeks to improve the administration of justice and to provide an efficient way to address matters affecting the court system in the county and its judicial officers.

Municipal Court Commissioner Ernest Lopez has been brought in to the Antelope Valley courthouse to handle Spann's caseload when Spann is called away to work on association matters.

Another issue that Spann will focus on is legislation to increase state funding for trial courts. Spann will represent the association on issues related to that issue, working with legislators, the governor, county representatives, and other court officials as legislation is developed.

In addition, Spann will work with other municipal court officials to help develop the county's budget for the municipal courts for 1996-97.

Spann was appointed as Antelope Municipal Court's fourth judge in March 1989 and was elected to his first term in June 1989. He previously had worked as a private attorney for 15 years, and before that had worked as a chemical engineer for the U.S. Air Force and Procter & Gamble Co.

Spann opened a Lancaster law practice in 1974 after graduating from Loyola University's law school at age 37. He holds undergraduate degrees from Columbia University in history, philosophy and chemical engineering.

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Photo Richard Spann Looks forward to new duties