Name: David B. Ladenburg
Title: Judge
Court: Tacoma Municipal Court
County: Pierce
Discipline: Admonishment
Method of Resolution: Stipulation
Discipline Date: 08/04/2006
Canons Violated:1, 2(A), and 3(A)(1)
Summary: From an agreed statement of facts, the Commission determined that Tacoma Municipal Court Judge David Ladenburg violated Canons 1, 2(A), and 3(A)(1) of the Code of Judicial Conduct by requiring a woman wearing a religious head covering to remove it or leave his courtroom. Respondent's conduct contravened well-settled principles of First Amendment law and infringed upon an individual's fundamental right to religious freedom. Respondent required all persons in his court to remove their head covering, not just Muslims, but his actions in this instance created an appearance that he was biased against people of the Muslim religion. As soon as the matter was brought to the judge's attention and he reviewed the law, Respondent acknowledged his legal error, changed his practice, and publicly apologized for any embarrassment he caused to the woman. He was admonished by the Commission and required to complete a course in cultural competency.
Case Documents Available:
Certificate of Completion and Order filed 2/1/2007.
Stipulation, Agreement and Order of Admonishment filed 8/4/2006.