Name: Richard Sanders
Title: Justice
Court: Supreme Court
County: Thurston
Discipline: Reprimand
Method of Resolution: Supreme Court reversed and dismissed
Discipline Date: 05/12/1997
Canons Violated:1, 2(B), 7(A)(5)
Summary: The Commission conducted a hearing concerning allegations of misconduct by a justice of the Washington Supreme Court. The Commission found the respondent appeared at a political rally identified as a justice, carried a pro-life symbol and aligned himself with an organization pursuing a political agenda. The Commission concluded that the justice violated Canons 1, 2(B) and 7(A)(5) of the Code of Judicial Conduct in the manner and context in which he made his statement. The Commission reprimanded the justice. The State Supreme Court reversed the Commission's decision.
Case Documents Available:
Supreme Court Decision In re Richard B. Sanders 135 Wn.2d 175 filed 4/28/1998.
Commission Decision filed 5/12/1997.
Concurring and Dissenting Opinion filed 5/12/1997.
Amended Answer to Statement of Charges filed 2/10/1997.
Answer to Statement of Charges filed 12/24/1996.
Statement of Charges filed 12/3/1996.