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 | David A. |
| Last Name | Mason |
| Title | Hon. |
| Inquiry No. | N/A |
| Court Level | Superior Court |
| County/Appellate District | Modoc |
| Discipline/Determination | Severe Public Admonishment |
| Decision By | Commission |
| Date of Decision | 12/08/2020 |
| Method of Resolution | Stipulation |
| Types of Misconduct | Demeanor/decorum Disqualification/disclosure/post-disqualification conduct |
| Petition For Review | N/A |
| Summary | The commission imposed a severe public admonishment on Judge Mason for his failure to properly disclose his personal relationship with an attorney on the record in a multitude of cases. Also, in two separate investigations, Judge Mason engaged in a lack of candor by making untrue statements to the commission about his compliance with his disclosure obligations. Judge Mason also made discourteous comments to and about the Modoc County District Attorney’s Office. Judge Mason’s misconduct was significantly aggravated by a public admonishment that the commission issued to Judge Mason in December 2019 for the same misconduct, failure to disclose his personal relationship with the same attorney in a multitude of cases. |
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