Name: Jerry A. Votendahl
Title: Judge
Court: Walla Walla District Court
County: Walla Walla
Discipline: Admonishment
Method of Resolution: Stipulation
Discipline Date: 04/22/2011
Canons Violated:1, 2(A), 7(A)(1)(b)
Summary: From an agreed statement of facts, the Commission found that Walla Walla County District Court Judge Jerry Votendahl violated Canons 1, 2(B), and 7(A)(1)(b) of the Code of Judicial Conduct when he wrote a letter to the editor that was published in the local newspaper, the Walla Walla Union-Bulletin, endorsing a nonjudicial candidate for public office. Canon 7(A)(1)(b) of the Code prohibits judges from "publicly endors[ing] a nonjudicial candidate for public office" and from "lend[ing] the prestige of judicial office to advance the private interest of the judge or others." The respondent was admonished.
Case Documents Available:
Stipulation, Agreement and Order of Admonishment filed 8/10/2011.