Name: Gary R. Tabor
Title: Judge
Court: Thurston County Superior Court
County: Thurston
Discipline: Admonishment
Method of Resolution: Stipulation
Discipline Date: 10/04/2013
Canons Violated:Canon 1: Rules 1.1, 1.2. Canon 3: Rule 3.1
Summary: From an agreed statement of facts, the Commission found that Thurston County Superior Court Judge Gary Tabor violated Canon 1 (Rules 1.1 and 1.2) and Canon 3 (Rule 3.1) of the Code of Judicial Conduct. Judge Tabor stipulated that he accepts the Commission's determination that he created the appearance of impropriety by publicly stating he would not perform same-sex marriages in his judicial capacity while continuing to perform opposite-sex marriages. Performing marriages is an extrajudicial activity. Rule 3.1 prohibits judges from participating in extrajudicial activities that would undermine their impartiality, including activities that involve discriminatory actions and expressions of express bias or prejudice. Following contact by the Commission, of his own volition, the judge ceased performing all marriages in his judicial capacity. The Commission admonished Judge Tabor and ordered him to read and familiarize himself with the Code of Judicial Conduct.
Case Documents Available:
Certificate of Completion and Order filed 5/1/2015.
Stipulation, Agreement and Order of Admonishment filed 10/4/2013.