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 | Noel |
| Last Name | Cannon |
| Title | Judge |
| Inquiry No. | 18 |
| Court Level | Municipal Court |
| County/Appellate District | Los Angeles |
| Discipline/Determination | Removal from office |
| Decision By | Supreme Court |
| Date of Decision | 07/10/1975 |
| Method of Resolution | Decision |
| Types of Misconduct | Abuse of contempt/sanctions Demeanor/decorum Failure to ensure rights Off-bench abuse of office/misuse of court information On-bench abuse of authority in performance of judicial duties |
| Petition For Review | |
| Summary | Judge Cannon committed 29 acts of misconduct, including, purportedly pursuant to her direct contempt powers, ordering the immediate incarceration of public defenders during preliminary hearings, thereby denying the effective right of counsel to clients who were required to defend with substituted counsel who were not afforded a reasonable opportunity to prepare. The judge also engaged in other mistreatment of defense counsel that infringed on defendants’ right to counsel, and acted unreasonably and arbitrarily in matters of bail-setting and issuance of bench warrants. Other conduct by the judge maligned the judicial office, such as ordering the deletion of a portion of the transcript of a preliminary hearing. The judge showed a lack of temperament and ability to perform judicial functions in an even-handed manner. |
| Documents |