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 | Bernard P. |
| Last Name | McCullough |
| Title | Judge |
| Inquiry No. | 77 |
| Court Level | Justice Court |
| County/Appellate District | San Benito |
| Discipline/Determination | Removal from office |
| Decision By | Supreme Court |
| Date of Decision | 07/31/1989 |
| Method of Resolution | Decision |
| Types of Misconduct | Decisional delay/false salary affidavits Failure to ensure rights Gifts/loans/favors/ticket-fixing |
| Petition For Review | |
| Summary | Judge McCullough directed a jury to find a defendant guilty in a criminal case. He conducted a trial of two defendants in one defendant's absence and in the absence of their attorneys. The judge used his office to benefit a personal friend by improperly dismissing a criminal charge against the friend. He also failed to sign a judgment form for over six years after a motion for the judgment had been granted and even after he had been publicly censured by the Supreme Court for such failure. |
| Documents |