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 P. |
| Last Name | Shook |
| Title | Judge |
| Inquiry No. | 148 |
| Court Level | Superior Court |
| County/Appellate District | Los Angeles |
| Discipline/Determination | Public admonishment |
| Decision By | Commission |
| Date of Decision | 10/29/1998 |
| Method of Resolution | Stipulation |
| Types of Misconduct | Bias/appearance of bias not directed toward a particular class Disqualification/disclosure/post-disqualification conduct Gifts/loans/favors/ticket-fixing Improper business, financial or fiduciary activities Off-bench abuse of office/misuse of court information |
| Petition For Review | |
| Summary | Judge Shook displayed favoritism in appointments by appointing an attorney who was a friend and another who was a tenant in the judge's office building to criminal cases. The judge failed to disclose his business relationship with the tenant or his social relationship with the friend, and bypassed certain procedures in approving the friend's bills. The judge also offered appointments to a prospective tenant in exchange for renting office space, and allowed another attorney who received appointments to take the judge and his staff to lunch. |
| Documents | [ NOTICE ] [ PUBLIC ADMONISHMENT ] |