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 | Joseph J. |
| Last Name | Gianquinto |
| Title | Commissioner |
| Inquiry No. | |
| Court Level | Superior Court |
| County/Appellate District | Kern |
| Discipline/Determination | Censure |
| Decision By | Commission |
| Date of Decision | 08/22/2018 |
| Method of Resolution | Stipulation |
| Types of Misconduct | Bias/appearance of bias toward a particular class Improper political activities Miscellaneous off-bench conduct |
| Petition For Review | |
| Summary | Commission issued censure for misconduct related to posts and re-posts on the commissioner’s public Facebook account. The commissioner’s posts reflected bias against groups (Muslims, immigrants, LGBT, Native Americans, the poor), took positions on controversial issues (shooting deaths by police officers, same-sex marriage), opposed and praised presidential candidates (Hillary Clinton and Donald Trump), and disparaged President Barack Obama and the federal justice system. The commissioner incorrectly represented to his presiding judge and the commission that he had taken the posts down when they could still be viewed by the public (although he believed the posts could no longer be viewed by the public). |
| Documents | [ DECISION ] |