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 | Nancy |
| Last Name | Pollard |
| Title | Judge |
| Inquiry No. | |
| Court Level | Superior Court |
| County/Appellate District | Orange County |
| Discipline/Determination | Public admonishment |
| Decision By | Commission |
| Date of Decision | 07/13/2011 |
| Method of Resolution | Decision |
| Types of Misconduct | Bias/appearance of bias toward a particular class Bias/appearance of bias not directed toward a particular class On-bench abuse of authority in performance of judicial duties |
| Petition For Review | |
| Summary | In one matter in 2009, Judge Pollard's remarks articulated stereotypes about two ethnic groups and their propensity to engage in certain types of domestic violence. Ethnic stereotyping is inconsistent with the fair, impartial and dispassionate administration of justice. Later in the same proceeding, before the respondent had testified or presented any testimony on his own behalf, the judge made remarks that suggested that she had prejudged the facts. In another matter, a family law case that the judge had presided over for four years, the judge declared a mistrial because the trial did not end within a five-hour period she had set for its completion. The judge took this action although only a few more hours of anticipated testimony remained. The Court of Appeal issued a writ and set the matter for completion of trial back before Judge Pollard stating, "The abuse of discretion in granting this mistrial is manifest." The commission found that Judge Pollard's conduct in declaring a mistrial constituted an abuse of authority and failure to hear and decide a matter assigned to her. |
| Documents |