After more than four decades in public service, Judge Craig Mitchell was honored September 19 at the Petersen Automotive Museum for a career that took him from the classroom to the prosecutor’s office to the bench—and ultimately onto the streets of Skid Row, where his belief in accountability, compassion, and second chances helped transform lives.

In 2012, Mitchell founded the Skid Row Running Club, bringing together judges, attorneys, law enforcement professionals and community volunteers to run alongside individuals experiencing homelessness, recovering from addiction, rebuilding their lives after incarceration and confronting other significant challenges.

What began as a running group became a community built around discipline, friendship, accountability, and hope.

Mitchell’s work gained international attention through the acclaimed documentary Skid Row Marathon, which followed members of the club as they trained under his guidance and chronicled their deeply personal journeys toward recovery, stability and new beginnings.

Friends, colleagues, civic leaders, members of the Skid Row Running Club, and people whose lives Judge Mitchell has personally impacted gathered at the Petersen Automotive Museum to celebrate his retirement and extraordinary legacy of service.

Los Angeles County Sheriff Robert G. Luna offered remarks and personally presented Judge Mitchell with an LASD scroll. “After 45 years of service on the bench, Judge Craig Mitchell leaves behind a legacy that extends far beyond the courtroom,” said Los Angeles County Sheriff Robert G. Luna. “Throughout his career, he has demonstrated an extraordinary commitment to justice, fairness, and the belief that every person has the potential to change their life. Judge Mitchell has touched countless lives, not only through the decisions he made from the bench, but through the compassion, mentorship, and personal commitment he showed to people who were often at their most vulnerable. On behalf of the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department, I congratulate Judge Mitchell on his retirement and thank him for over four decades of dedicated service to our justice system and our community.”

Founder of Gordon Philanthropies, Dan Gordon thanked Judge Mitchell for his advocacy work and support for the foundation’s mission. “Judge Mitchell has spent his life seeing the humanity in people others might overlook,” said Dan Gordon, founder of Gordon Philanthropies. “His legacy reminds us that justice is not only about accountability. It is also about believing in the possibility of transformation.”

The evening also included official recognitions from Los Angeles city, county, and state leaders including California State Assemblymember Isaac Bryan, Congresswoman Julia Brownley, County Board of Supervisors Lindsey Horvath, and Senator María Elena Durazo.

The evening included a special unveiling of a portrait of Judge Craig Mitchell, created by professional artist Moses X and inspired by the artwork at the UCLA D Line Metro station. Members of the Skid Row Running Club shared personal stories about how Judge Mitchell has profoundly impacted their lives. Attendees also got an exclusive preview of Judge Mitchell’s upcoming documentary.