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 A. |
| Last Name | Trice |
| Title | Judge |
| Inquiry No. | 196 |
| Court Level | Superior Court |
| County/Appellate District | San Luis Obispo |
| Discipline/Determination | Censure |
| Decision By | Commission |
| Date of Decision | 02/04/2016 |
| Method of Resolution | Stipulation |
| Types of Misconduct | Administrative malfeasance/improper comments, treatment of colleagues and staff Bias/Appearance of Bias Not Directed Toward a Particular Class Demeanor/decorum Disqualification/disclosure/post-disqualification conduct Miscellaneous off-bench conduct Off-bench abuse of office/misuse of court information |
| Petition For Review | |
| Summary | Judge Trice was censured by the commission for failing to comply with a marital dissolution judgment requiring him to make payments to his ex-wife of her share of his military pension “as and when” the pension benefits were received, for acting beyond his authority in directing which judge would be assigned to handle the stipulation and order in connection with the pension arrears, and for attributing untrue statements to a court commissioner concerning advice about the pension benefits the judge said he received from the commissioner. In addition, the judge was disciplined for a disparaging email exchange with a supervising judge about judicial calendar coverage, for intemperate conduct with a court executive officer regarding court reporter assignments, and for failing to disqualify or disclose when a close friend appeared before him in court as defense counsel. |
| Documents |