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 | James R. |
| Last Name | Simpson |
| Title | Judge |
| Inquiry No. | 168 |
| Court Level | Superior Court |
| County/Appellate District | Los Angeles |
| Discipline/Determination | Censure and bar |
| Decision By | Commission |
| Date of Decision | 12/09/2002 |
| Method of Resolution | Stipulation |
| Types of Misconduct | Disqualification/disclosure/post-disqualification conduct Gifts/loans/favors/ticket-fixing Off-bench abuse of office/misuse of court information |
| Petition For Review | |
| Summary | Judge Simpson presided over matters involving friends, from which he should have disqualified himself, and gave favorable treatment to them. The judge also tried to influence other judicial officers and the police in their handling of matters involving his friends. At the time of the commission's decision, the judge had retired from office. |
| Documents |