Name: Fred R. Staples
Title: Judge
Court: Franklin County Superior Court
County: Franklin
Discipline: Admonishment
Method of Resolution: Supreme Court reversed and dismissed
Discipline Date: 08/05/1985
Canons Violated:7(A)(1)(a), 7(A)(1)(b), 7(A)(4)
Summary: Superior Court Judge Fred Staples circulated petitions, made campaign speeches, organized a committee, and ran ads in the local papers in support of a proposed constitutional amendment transferring the county seat from one city to another nearby. The [Judicial Qualifications] Commission took disciplinary action against Judge Staples for violating Canon 7(A)(4) of the Code of Judicial Conduct, and by 4-3 vote recommended admonishment to the Washington Supreme Court. HOLDINGS: (A) Traditional policy considerations behind the Code of Judicial Conduct's general prohibition on judges' participation in political activity are not appropriate. It was never alleged that Judge Staples' activities were so extensive as to impair his primary judicial obligations. Because Judge Staples' political activity was civic-minded rather than partisan, fears of actual bias or the appearance of issue prejudgment were not of concern here. Finally, civic-minded political activity would not, as a rule, diminish the dignity and esteem of the Court. (B) Canon 7(A)(4) specifically allows judges to conduct political activity designed to better the administration of justice in recognition of the judges' central role on legal reform. Exclusion of judges from legal reform processes could deprive the processes of a wealth of expertise. Furthermore, a judge does not lose his rights as a citizen by assuming the bench. DISPOSITION: Commission recommendation of admonishment refused; charge filed against Judge Staples dismissed. The State Supreme Court reversed the Commission's decision and dismissed the case.
Case Documents Available:
Supreme Court Opinion In re Fred R. Staples 105 Wn.2d 905, 719 P.2d 558 filed 5/22/1986.
Final Commission Decision filed 7/2/1985.
Commission Decision filed 6/5/1985.
Formal Complaint filed 2/28/1985.