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 | Cory |
| Last Name | Woodward |
| Title | Judge |
| Inquiry No. | |
| Court Level | Superior Court |
| County/Appellate District | Kern |
| Discipline/Determination | Censure |
| Decision By | Commission |
| Date of Decision | 09/02/2014 |
| Method of Resolution | Stipulation |
| Types of Misconduct | Administrative malfeasance/improper comments, treatment of colleagues and staff Demeanor/decorum Miscellaneous off-bench conduct Misuse of court resources |
| Petition For Review | |
| Summary | Judge censured for improper conduct related to relationship with courtroom clerk, including engaging in sexual activity in chambers and public places, using court computers to regularly exchange personal emails or texts unrelated to court business, and occasionally passing notes of a sexual nature during court proceedings; and for misleading the court regarding the nature of his relationship with the clerk, failing to attempt to ensure that he would not be working in the same courtroom with a clerk with whom he had an intimate relationship, and instead opposing and resisting any efforts to reassign the clerk. |
| Documents | [ DECISION ] |