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 | George W. |
| Last Name | Trammell III |
| Title | Judge |
| Inquiry No. | 146 |
| Court Level | Superior Court |
| County/Appellate District | Los Angeles |
| Discipline/Determination | Censure and bar |
| Decision By | Commission |
| Date of Decision | 01/05/1999 |
| Method of Resolution | Decision |
| Types of Misconduct | Disqualification/disclosure/post-disqualification conduct Ex parte communications Miscellaneous off-bench conduct Off-bench abuse of office/misuse of court information On-bench abuse of authority in performance of judicial duties |
| Petition For Review | |
| Summary | After sentencing a female defendant to probation and while the sentencing of co-defendants was pending, Judge Trammell began a clandestine and intimate relationship with the defendant. The judge and the defendant engaged in numerous ex parte communications, and the judge forced the defendant to have sex with him by threatening a harsh sentence for the defendant's ex-husband, who was one of the co-defendants. The judge took a number of actions in which he appeared to give favorable treatment to the defendant in an attempt to further his relationship with her. The judge also engaged in an ex parte communication with one of the co-defendants and that defendant's attorneys. At the time of the commission's decision, the judge was retired from office. |
| Documents |