About Whitney Bokosky
Whitney Bokosky is the only candidate for Seat #35 rated "WELL QUALIFIED" by the Orange County Bar Association's Judicial Evaluation Committee. The committee rates a judicial candidate's character, temperament, professional aptitude and experience.
For the past 17 years, Senior Deputy District Attorney Whitney Bokosky has served and protected the public prosecuting child molesters, murderers, rapists, domestic violence offenders, gang crimes and elder abusers. Working with law enforcement, scientists, doctors, nurses, families, and survivors, she has conducted 88 jury trials and put behind bars some of society's most dangerous criminals who target women and children. Whitney has earned the reputation as a leader with deep respect for the ethical responsibility of deciding when to pursue a case.
The public's access to the justice system is Whitney’s top priority. During her time in the Sexual Assault Unit, she tackled the challenge of lessening a victim’s trauma when dealing with stressful events in the court process. She helped create a program that brings in trained dogs to comfort victims in preparing to go to court. Whitney is considered an “expert” in dealing with the needs of sexual assault victims - both adults and children – and has been honored with the “Victim Service” award.
Whitney began her public service as a prosecutor in 2006 conducting jury trials for DUI, theft, commercial burglary, drug possession, brandishing weapons possession, and prostitution. After more than 20 misdemeanor trials, she was promoted and conducted 18 felony trials in less than 16 months including attempted murder, aggravated assault, lewd act on a child, carjacking, kidnapping, drug sales, vehicle theft, robbery, and child abuse.
Whitney’s first vertical trial assignment was in the Sexual Assault Unit. Many defendants were convicted of charges that carried “life” sentences such as rape with special allegations, multiple victim child molests and sexual penetration or oral copulation with a minor under 10 years old. After 8 years, Whitney moved to the Homicide Unit, working with surviving victims of vehicular manslaughter. These cases carry some of the hardest issues for a prosecutor. There’s a delicate balance needed to comfort victims of such a senseless crime while also remembering that many defendants did not carry ill will towards their victims. In her next promotion to General Homicide cases, Whitney worked with North County agencies from the very moment a homicide was reported through trial.
Whitney tried the first murder trial in Orange County with pandemic restrictions. She worked in a team with the Judge and court staff to protect access to justice within this new trial environment. Whitney filed the murder charge against Marcus Eriz for shooting 6-year-old Aiden Leos as he was a passenger in his mother’s vehicle on the 55 freeway in May 2021. The tragedy captured the community’s heart as the case went unsolved for a week. During that time, she worked tirelessly with law enforcement to find Aiden’s killer.
More recently, Whitney litigated post-conviction homicide cases, growing legal research and writing skills. Whitney is currently assigned to the Family Protection Unit bringing on a new set of challenges of family dynamics in cases of domestic, child and elder abuses.
Whitney is an Orange County native who graduated from Irvine High School; Orange Coast College; University of California, Irvine; and attended Chapman School of Law on scholarship. She served as a City of Irvine Community Services Leader and volunteered in the Elder Abuse clinic. She is the proud mom of four children and understands the struggles of families as she and her husband helped one child through a serious medical condition.
Whitney’s even temperament, ability to listen, hands on experience with jury trials, and deep understanding of the law has earned her early endorsement from sitting Superior Court Judges, prosecutors, defense attorneys, civil litigators, and law enforcement leaders. As our Superior Court Judge, Whitney will ensure that every individual who walks into the courtroom has access to a fair and independent trial.