Name: Randal B. Fritzler
Title: Judge
Court: Clark District Court
County: Clark
Discipline: Censure & Resignation
Method of Resolution: Stipulation
Discipline Date: 02/06/2004
Canons Violated:1, 2(A), 2(B), 3(A)(3), 3(B)(1), 3(B)(3)
Summary: On December 8, 2003 the Commission found probable cause and issued a public statement of charges alleging that Clark County District Court Judge Randal B. Fritzler violated Canons 1, 2(A), 2(b), 3(A)(3), 3(B)(1) and 3(B)(3) of the Code of Judicial Conduct by engaging in an intimate personal relationship with a court employee; that rumors thereof and perceived favoritism based thereon disrupted the orderly administration of the court workplace and adversely affected morale for court employees, administrators, and fellow judicial officers; and that the misconduct created an appearance of judicial impropriety and favoritism that was destructive to the reputation of the court. The Commission also determined that the conduct violated the Commission's August 9, 1996 stipulation and order of censure of Judge Fritzler for disrupting the administration of justice by engaging in a consensual sexual relationship with another court employee while continuing to preside over matters in which the employee's spouse was the attorney of record. Judge Fritzler had agreed in that prior stipulation not to repeat such violations. Effective January 5, 2004, Judge Fritzler resigned his public office. On February 6, 2004, from an agreed statement of facts, the Commission determined that Judge Fritzler violated the Canons cited in the statement of charges by the misconduct described therein. The Commission censured Judge Fritzler who also agreed not to serve in any future judicial position without prior Commission approval.
Case Documents Available:
Stipulation, Agreement and Order of Censure filed 2/6/2004.
Statement of Charges filed 12/8/2003.