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

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First Name Patricia
Last Name Gray
Title Judge
Inquiry No. 159
Court Level Superior Court
County/Appellate District Sonoma
Discipline/Determination Dismissal/reversal
Decision By Commission
Date of Decision 08/27/2002
Method of Resolution Decision
Types of Misconduct
Petition For Review
Summary

In campaign literature, Judge Gray suggested that her opponent, a deputy public defender, was unfit for judgeship because he had defended criminals in his professional role. The judge also appeared to defend her own rulings in cases then on appeal. The case was dismissed after the U.S. Supreme Court's decision in Republican Party of Minnesota v. White (2002) 536 U.S. 765 [122 S.Ct. 2528].

Documents

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