Public Decisions Database

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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.

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First Name	Gregory J.
Last Name	Kreis
Title	Judge
Inquiry No.	209
Court Level	Superior Court
County/Appellate District	Humboldt
Discipline/Determination	Censure & Bar
Decision By	Commission
Date of Decision	05/28/2024
Method of Resolution	Stipulation
Types of Misconduct	Demeanor/decorum Disqualification/disclosure/post-disqualification conduct Miscellaneous off-bench conduct
Petition For Review
Summary	Judge Kreis engaged in multiple acts of misconduct. In at least 44 cases over which he presided, Judge Kreis failed to disclose his relationships with seven attorneys; his familiarity with individuals involved in matters before him; or the extent of his relationships with the individuals. The extent and type of his misconduct was serious. The commission also took particularly seriously the judge’s sexual misconduct with a female acquaintance. The commission also based the censure and bar on Judge Kreis’s conduct in treating attorneys and litigants poorly, including making inappropriate, sarcastic, and gratuitous comments to them. Judge Kreis’s misconduct was aggravated by prior discipline. In 2018, the commission issued an advisory letter to Judge Kreis for intemperate and inappropriate remarks he made about a criminal defendant during a sentencing hearing.
Documents	[ NOTICE ] [ ANSWER ] [ AMENDED NOTICE ] [ ANSWER TO AMENDED NOTICE ] [ DECISION ]