Name: Virginia Amato
Title: Judge
Court: King Co Dist. South Division
County: King
Discipline: Admonishment
Method of Resolution: Stipulation
Discipline Date: 06/24/2022
Canons Violated:Canon 1: Rules 1.1 and 1.2 and Canon 2: Rules 2.8
Summary: From an agreed statement of facts, King County District Court Judge Virginia M. Amato stipulated that she violated Canon 1 (Rules 1.1 and 1.2) and Canon 2 (Rule 2.8) of the Code of Judicial Conduct by telling a criminal defendant at his arraignment hearing that he was 'setting yourself up to be Bubba's new best girlfriend at the state penitentiary,' and adding 'the folks at the penitentiary have mothers and sisters and nieces and cousins that they do not want someone out there abusing, and they will take that out on you.' The Commission admonished Judge Amato and ordered her to participate in one hour of ethics training focusing on appropriate courtroom demeanor.
Case Documents Available:
Certificate of Completion and Order filed 9/8/2023.
Stipulation, Agreement and Order of Admonishment filed 6/24/2022.