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 C. |
| Last Name | Coates |
| Title | Judge |
| Inquiry No. | |
| Court Level | Superior Court |
| County/Appellate District | San Diego |
| Discipline/Determination | Public admonishment |
| Decision By | Commission |
| Date of Decision | 12/02/2009 |
| Method of Resolution | Decision |
| Types of Misconduct | Misuse of court resources Off-bench abuse of office/misuse of court information |
| Petition For Review | |
| Summary | Judge Coates has persisted in a pattern of abuse of the prestige of his judicial office and misuse of court resources in connection with personal and non-court matters, notwithstanding his prior discipline by the commission for similar conduct, notwithstanding direction from his presiding judges that he cease such conduct, and notwithstanding advice he received from the California Judges Association (CJA) Ethics Committee to avoid such conduct. His conduct reflects a repeated refusal to comply with canon 2B(2), which prohibits judges from using the prestige of judicial office to advance the personal or pecuniary interests of the judge or others. Judge Coates’s recalcitrance manifests indifference towards the erosion of public confidence in the judiciary that results from irresponsible behavior by judges. The commission determined that his repeated ethical indifference warrants another public rebuke. |
| Documents |