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 | Ann |
| Last Name | Dobbs |
| Title | Commissioner |
| Inquiry No. | |
| Court Level | Superior Court |
| County/Appellate District | Los Angeles |
| Discipline/Determination | Censure and bar |
| Decision By | Commission |
| Date of Decision | 07/15/2009 |
| Method of Resolution | Stipulation |
| Types of Misconduct | Decisional delay/false salary affidavits |
| Petition For Review | |
| Summary | Former commissioner Ann Dobbs served in the Family Law Department of the Los Angeles Superior Court from March 2001 until October 31, 2007, when she retired. Ms. Dobbs failed to decide numerous cases in a timely manner. When Ms. Dobbs retired, 15 cases over which she had presided had been under submission for over 90 days without her having decided them, and another 14 cases that she had under submission for less than 90 days had not been decided. Former commissioner Dobbs also failed to provide responses to her supervising judge concerning complaints from litigants about the delays in their cases. Pursuant to the Stipulation, Ms. Dobbs has agreed not to seek or hold judicial office, or accept a position or assignment as a judicial officer, subordinate judicial officer or judge pro tem with any court in the State of California, or accept a reference of work from any California state court, at any time in the future. This matter was to be referred to the State Bar of California for any action the State Bar may deem appropriate with respect to Ms. Dobbs’s practice of law. |
| Documents | [ DECISION ] |