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 | Bradley W. |
| Last Name | Sullivan |
| Title | Commissioner |
| Inquiry No. | |
| Court Level | Superior Court |
| County/Appellate District | Calaveras |
| Discipline/Determination | Public admonishment |
| Decision By | Commission |
| Date of Decision | 05/09/2025 |
| Method of Resolution | Decision |
| Types of Misconduct | Abuse of contempt/sanctions Ex parte communications |
| Petition For Review | |
| Summary | The commission determined that it should publicly admonish former Commissioner Sullivan for engaging in ex parte communications with parties who appeared before him. Despite counseling not to engage in any more ex parte communications, former Commissioner Sullivan sent ex parte text messages to a litigant. In a separate matter, former Commissioner Sullivan held a litigant in contempt without following proper procedures, and in a manner that created the appearance that the commissioner coerced the litigant to settle. Former Commissioner Sullivan’s misconduct was aggravated by his failure to cooperate with the commission’s investigation by failing to respond to any of the investigation letters sent to him. |
| Documents | [ DECISION ] |