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 | Michael J. |
| Last Name | O'Gara |
| Title | Judge |
| Inquiry No. | N/A |
| Court Level | Superior Court |
| County/Appellate District | Los Angeles |
| Discipline/Determination | Public Admonishment |
| Decision By | Commission |
| Date of Decision | 09/14/2021 |
| Method of Resolution | Decision |
| Types of Misconduct | Bias/appearance of bias not toward a particular class Miscellaneous off-bench conduct |
| Petition For Review | N/A |
| Summary | The commission issued a public admonishment for Judge O’Gara’s activity on social media. That activity included commentary, or “likes,” relating to the District Attorney for Los Angeles County, controversial political issues, and various groups’ exercise of constitutional rights. The commission noted that, once Judge O’Gara posted or liked content on social media, he effectively distributed material to an unlimited number of persons, over whose actions he had no control. The commission determined that Judge O’Gara’s social media activity suggested bias against particular classes of people, and was undignified and indecorous, among other violations of the Code of Judicial Ethics. |
| Documents |