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Case Summary for Complaint # 8583


Name: Douglass North

Title: Judge

Court: King County Superior Court

County: King

Discipline: Admonishment

Method of Resolution: Stipulation

Discipline Date: 12/08/2017

Canons Violated:Canon 1: Rules 1.1 and 1.2 and Canon 2: Rule 2.3(B)

Summary: From an agreed statement of facts, King County Superior Court Judge Douglass A. North stipulated that he violated Canon 1 (Rules 1.1 and 1.2) and Canon 2 (Rule 2.3(B)) of the Code of Judicial Conduct by making a comment from the bench suggesting a connection between race and the likelihood that someone is a gangster. Judge North immediately admitted the conduct and acknowledged his awareness of implicit bias as an issue that can affect the justice system. The Commission admonished Judge North and ordered him to complete training in implicit or unintended bias within one year.

Case Documents Available: