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 | Judith C. |
| Last Name | Chirlin |
| Title | Judge |
| Inquiry No. | |
| Court Level | Superior Court |
| County/Appellate District | Los Angeles |
| Discipline/Determination | Public admonishment |
| Decision By | Commission |
| Date of Decision | 08/28/1995 |
| Method of Resolution | Decision |
| Types of Misconduct | Bias/appearance of bias not directed toward a particular class Comment on a pending case |
| Petition For Review | |
| Summary | After Judge Chirlin presided over a jury trial involving an action for breach of contract against actress Kim Basinger for her withdrawal from the movie "Boxing Helena" (Main Line Pictures, Inc. v. Kim Basinger, et al.), the judge attended the premier of the movie and the reception that followed at the invitation of the movie's producer, who was the plaintiff in the trial. The judge also commented on the case to the Los Angeles Times while the case was pending on appeal. |
| Documents |