Name: Michael S. Hurtado
Title: Judge
Court: Seattle Municipal Court
County: King
Discipline: Admonishment
Method of Resolution: Stipulation
Discipline Date: 10/04/2002
Canons Violated:1, 2(A), 3(A)(4)
Summary: From an agreed statement of facts, the Commission determined that Seattle Municipal Court Judge Michael S. Hurtado violated Canons 1, 2 and 3(A)(4) of the Code of Judicial Conduct by receiving and acting upon improper ex parte communications while serving as a judge pro tempore of the Des Moines Municipal Court. After the completion of a trial earlier in the day, Judge Hurtado received ex parte information from one of the parties' counsel and witness, and acted on it without hearing from the other side, vacating the order entered earlier. The Commission admonished the judge.
Case Documents Available:
Stipulation, Agreement and Order of Admonishment filed 10/4/2002.