Judge Songhai Armstead

Judge Songhai Armstead (Ret.) has been the inaugural Director of the Los Angeles County Justice, Care and Opportunities Department since July 25, 2023. Her appointment to the position by the Board of Supervisors follows Judge Armstead’s tenure as Interim Director since November 1, 2022. That appointment followed her more than 5-year tenure as a judge of the LA Superior Court, retiring September 25, 2020. Born and raised in Los Angeles County, Judge Armstead has over 20 years of experience in the largest and possibly most complex justice system in the country. A longtime advocate for the underserved and a justice system innovator, she has worked with a broad coalition of community, governmental, non-profit, and private sector groups to co-create programs that are effective.