Public Decisions Database
This database contains decisions on all public judicial disciplinary cases since the inception of the commission in 1960. Cases not involving public charges or public discipline remain confidential under the California Constitution and the commission’s rules.
Pursuant to amendments to the Constitution, which took effect in March 1995, the commission is authorized to impose all disciplinary sanctions, subject to discretionary review by the Supreme Court. Prior to that, the Supreme Court had the authority to censure or remove judges from office upon recommendation by the commission.
Case Profile
New Search| First Name | Robert S. |
| Last Name | Bowers |
| Title | Judge |
| Inquiry No. | |
| Court Level | Superior Court |
| County/Appellate District | Solano |
| Discipline/Determination | Public Admonishment |
| Decision By | Commission |
| Date of Decision | 07/08/2025 |
| Method of Resolution | Decision |
| Types of Misconduct | Bias/appearance of bias not directed toward a particular class Demeanor/decorum Disqualification/disclosure/post-disqualification conduct Failure to ensure rights |
| Petition For Review | |
| Summary | The commission publicly admonished former Judge Bowers for misconduct while presiding over a homicide case. Judge Bowers (1) improperly solicited a Marsden motion, which interfered with the attorney-client relationship; (2) made disparaging remarks about a defense attorney, which conveyed the appearance of bias and embroilment, and which could reasonably interfere with the attorney-client relationship and convey the appearance of retaliation for the attorney's motion to disqualify Judge Bowers; (3) discussed substitution of attorneys with another attorney, which conveyed the appearance of embroilment, bias, prejudgment, and abuse of authority; and (4) improperly handled a statement of disqualification. Judge Bowers’s misconduct was aggravated by a prior private admonishment and a prior advisory letter. |
| Documents | [ DECISION ] |