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 | Susan L. |
| Last Name | Greenberg |
| Title | Judge |
| Inquiry No. | |
| Court Level | Superior Court |
| County/Appellate District | San Mateo |
| Discipline/Determination | Public Admonishment |
| Decision By | Commission |
| Date of Decision | 09/10/2024 |
| Method of Resolution | Decision |
| Types of Misconduct | Failure to ensure rights Bias/appearance of bias not directed toward a particular class |
| Petition For Review | N/A |
| Summary | The commission publicly admonished Judge Greenberg for abusing her authority and disregarding a civil litigant’s fundamental rights by denying the litigant the right to be heard at a civil harassment restraining order (CHRO) hearing even though the litigant was present and ready to proceed. The commission concluded that, at the CHRO hearing, Judge Greenberg did not engage in a mere erroneous determination of legal issues, but that Judge Greenberg abused her authority and discretion in a manner that resulted in a disregard of fundamental rights. In determining to impose a public admonishment, the commission considered a prior private admonishment issued to Judge Greenberg to be a significantly aggravating factor. |
| Documents | [ DECISION ] |