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Case Summary for Complaint # 3811


Name: Mary Ann Ottinger

Title: Judge

Court: Issaquah District Court

County: King

Discipline: Censure

Method of Resolution: Stipulation

Discipline Date: 06/18/2004

Canons Violated:1, 2, 3(A)(1)

Summary: From an agreed statement of facts, the Commission determined that King County District Court Judge Mary Anne Ottinger violated Canons 1, 2 and 3(A)(1) of the Code of Judicial Conduct by failing to properly advise unrepresented defendants of their right to court-appointed counsel, of their constitutional rights, of the elements of the crime, of the maximum available penalties and of other potential consequences of conviction, and by improperly providing legal assistance to municipalities in a dispute with King County related to reorganization and utilization of judicial resources. The Commission censured the judge and imposed corrective action, including requiring training related to the administration of the court and to procedures for rights advisement.

Case Documents Available: