[5][6] Karlin became a Superior Court judge in 1991 and that year, she presided over the controversial voluntary manslaughter case involving the death of Latasha Harlins.
It is the opinion of historians that the decision fueled the racial unrest the black community was already feeling in the aftermath of the Rodney King beating and possibly contributed to the 1992 Los Angeles riots.
[8][9][10][11] The Los Angeles County District Attorney issued a "blanket affidavit policy", that disallowed Karlin from judging felony cases "involving violent crimes.
A woman was severely beaten and responded to the beating.″ adding that 15 year old Harlins was shot "in the heat of battle".
Superior Court Judge William Willett granted Karlin's motion to dismiss citing California's anti-SLAPP law.