Name: Michael Imboden
Title: Judge
Court: Cowlitz District Court
County: Cowlitz
Discipline: Censure
Method of Resolution: Stipulation
Discipline Date: 04/22/2022
Canons Violated:Canon 1: Rules 1.1, 1.2 and 1.3
Summary: From an agreed statement of facts, Cowlitz County District Court Judge Michael J. Imboden stipulated that he violated Canon 1, Rules 1.1, 1.2, and 1.3 of the Code of Judicial Conduct. Judge Imboden violated Rules 1.1 and 1.2 of the Code by committing the criminal offense of Reckless Driving and violated Rule 1.3 by creating an appearance that he was implicitly seeking favorable treatment from the arresting officers when he asked them if they knew what an arrest would do to his professional career. The Commission censured Judge Imboden and ordered him to review the Code and make three public presentations related to his misconduct.
Case Documents Available:
Stipulation, Agreement, and Order of Censure filed 4/22/2022.