Name: Colleen Hartl
Title: Judge
Court: Des Moines Municipal Court
County: King
Discipline: Censure
Method of Resolution: Stipulation
Discipline Date: 08/01/2008
Canons Violated:1, 2(A), 3(A)(5), 3(D)(1)
Summary: From an agreed statement of facts, the Commission determined that former Federal Way Municipal Court Judge Colleen Hartl violated Canons 1, 2(A), 3(A)(5) and 3(D)(1) of the Code of Judicial Conduct by presiding over matters in which a lawyer with whom she had an intimate relationship appeared as counsel, and by becoming highly intoxicated at a party and revealing to court staff details of her sexual encounter with the lawyer. In addition, her subsequent conversations with court staff reasonably appeared to be an effort to conceal her misconduct by suggesting these potential witnesses withhold relevant information. Respondent's behaviors raised reasonable concerns about her lack of neutrality, were undignified, could cause the public to lose respect for judicial office, and called into question her integrity. Former Judge Hartl was censured by the Commission and she agreed that she will not seek or serve in any position performing judicial functions without first securing express approval from the Commission.
Case Documents Available:
Stipulation, Agreement and Order of Censure filed 8/1/2008.