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 | John |
| Last Name | Schatz, Jr. |
| Title | Judge |
| Inquiry No. | |
| Court Level | Superior Court |
| County/Appellate District | Santa Clara |
| Discipline/Determination | Public reproval |
| Decision By | Commission |
| Date of Decision | 12/15/1989 |
| Method of Resolution | Decision |
| Types of Misconduct | Failure to cooperate/lack of candor with regulatory authorities Off-bench abuse of office/misuse of court information |
| Petition For Review | |
| Summary | Judge Schatz involved himself in two criminal cases against his son, making ex parte contact with a judge and a commissioner on one and contacting the district attorney of his own county and asking for special treatment on the other. The judge also made false statements to the commission. |
| Documents | [ PUBLIC REPROVAL ] |