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 | William D. |
| Last Name | Spruance, Jr. |
| Title | Judge |
| Inquiry No. | 17 |
| Court Level | Municipal Court |
| County/Appellate District | Alameda |
| Discipline/Determination | Removal from office |
| Decision By | Supreme Court |
| Date of Decision | 03/25/1975 |
| Method of Resolution | Decision |
| Types of Misconduct | Bias/appearance of bias not directed toward a particular class Demeanor/decorum Disqualification/disclosure/post-disqualification conduct Gifts/loans/favors/ticket-fixing Off-bench abuse of office/misuse of court information On-bench abuse of authority in performance of judicial duties |
| Petition For Review | |
| Summary | Judge Spruance treated attorneys and litigants in a cavalier, rude, and improper manner. His judicial conduct was subject to the improper influence of his business relationships and social friendships. The judge consistently appointed two attorneys, who were long-time friends and political supporters, in criminal cases in which the defendant was not entitled to counsel at public expense or the public defender had not been requested to represent them. He also solicited another judge to dismiss a traffic citation which Judge Spruance had received, and subsequently altered the reported disposition so as to conceal the fact that he had received preferential treatment. |
| Documents |