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 | Steven |
| Last Name | Hintz |
| Title | Judge |
| Inquiry No. | |
| Court Level | Municipal Court |
| County/Appellate District | Ventura |
| Discipline/Determination | Public reproval |
| Decision By | Commission |
| Date of Decision | 05/29/1992 |
| Method of Resolution | Decision |
| Types of Misconduct | Bias/appearance of bias not directed toward a particular class On-bench abuse of authority in performance of judicial duties |
| Petition For Review | |
| Summary | Judge Hintz abused his authority by planning and executing a detention, search and warrant check of citizens lawfully present in his courtroom without reasonable suspicion or exigent circumstances. The judge also criticized jurors regarding a verdict and improperly detained them. Additionally, the judge used his judicial office for a personal purpose by trying to induce parties to stipulate that the judge had committed no misconduct in a case and, when the parties refused to do so, finding prosecutorial misconduct on his own motion. |
| Documents | [ PUBLIC REPROVAL ] |