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 |
| Last Name | Press |
| Title | Judge |
| Inquiry No. | 75 |
| Court Level | Justice Court |
| County/Appellate District | San Bernardino |
| Discipline/Determination | Dismissal/reversal |
| Decision By | Supreme Court |
| Date of Decision | 03/03/1989 |
| Method of Resolution | Decision |
| Types of Misconduct | |
| Petition For Review | |
| Summary | The commission recommended that Judge Press be publicly censured for conduct that included multiple instances of failing to follow the law and taking actions not authorized by law, such as taking evidence from the defendant before the prosecutor met its burden of proof and passing a rule that required court staff to obtain the judge's prior approval for copying, showing or furnishing dockets from any of the judge's cases and to memorialize the date, time and name of persons requesting to look at files from cases presided over by the judge. An incident of improper demeanor was also included in the recommendation. After Judge Press was defeated at election to another term of office, the Supreme Court dismissed his petition to reject or modify the commission's recommendation for censure as moot. |
| Documents |