Name: C.Kimi Kondo
Title: Judge
Court: Seattle Municipal Court
County: King
Discipline: Admonishment
Method of Resolution: Stipulation
Discipline Date: 07/17/2015
Canons Violated:Canon 1: Rules 1.1, 1.2 Canon 2: Rules 2.2, 2.9
Summary: From an agreed statement of facts, Seattle Municipal Court Judge C. Kimi Kondo stipulated that she violated Canon 1, Rules 1.1 and 1.2, and Canon 2, Rules 2.2 and 2.9, of the Code of Judicial Conduct by engaging in ex parte communications with a prosecutor and, by acting on that ex parte communication, creating the appearance of partiality in a criminal case . A prosecutor sent an unsolicited, private email to Judge Kondo asking about a lawyer who was scheduled to appear before the judge. The prosecutor said the lawyer was needed as a witness in another pending criminal case and may be avoiding service of a subpoena. Judge Kondo responded to that email and continued the unrelated case in front of her without a basis to do so other than to require that lawyer to appear in court. This created the appearance of partiality toward the prosecution. Judge Kondo cooperated with the Commission's proceeding, and has had no prior discipline during her twenty-five years on the bench. Judge Kondo was admonished.
Case Documents Available:
Certificate of Completion and Order filed 10/2/2015.
Stipulation, Agreement and Order of Admonishment filed 7/15/2015.