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State of Washington

Activity - Public Actions 1999



Public actions are cases that have reached a conclusion. The Commission posts the most pertinent documents for each case on this website, but other public document may exist and are available upon request.

To view public cases that are currently open, see the Open Cases section of this website.

You may also search for cases against an individual judge.

Cases closed in the year

In re the Honorable David S. Edwards

CJC No. 3087-F-82

December 29, 1999

From an agreed statement of facts, the Commission determined that Okanogan Superior Court Commissioner David S. Edwards violated Canons 1, 2, 3(A)(3) and 3(D) of the Code of Judicial Conduct by expressing comments at a proceeding which should have led him to recuse himself. The Commission admonished the judge.

In re the Honorable Albert Raines

CJC No. 2810-F-72

December 3, 1999

The Commission conducted a fact finding hearing on allegations of misconduct against part-time Des Moines Municipal Court Judge Albert M. Raines. The Commission found that Judge Raines violated Canons 1, 2(A), 3(A)(2) and 3(A)(3) of the Code of Judicial Conduct by sending an inappropriate note to an attorney who asked for a recess during a court session. However, the Commission found the factors surrounding the violation to be of such a nature that imposing discipline was not warranted.

In re the Honorable Edward B. Ross

CJC No. 2915-F-75

December 3, 1999

From a stipulation, the Commission determined that Whatcom County District Court Judge Edward B. Ross violated Canons 1, 2(A) and 3(A)(3) of the Code of Judicial Conduct by making inappropriate and offensive comments about a female attorney who practiced before him. The Commission admonished the judge.

In re the Honorable Martin P. Mittet

CJC No. 2793-F-79

December 3, 1999

From an agreed statement of facts, the Commission determined that Judge Mittet violated Canons 1, 2(A), 2(B), 3(A)(3), 3(A)(4), 3(A)(7) and 3(B)(1) of the Code of Judicial Conduct by using the court's information system for purposes not related to court business, making inappropriate contact with media while a case was pending, failing to control his temper, directing court staff to go off the record without informing all parties, and manipulating court records. The Commission censured the judge. The judge also agreed to resign from office.

In re the Honorable Grant L. Anderson

CJC No. 2785-F-77

October 1, 1999

Pursuant to stipulation of the parties, the Commission closed its second proceeding against Pierce County Superior Court Judge Grant L. Anderson following Supreme Court's decision removing the judge from judicial office in CJC No. 96รป2179-F-64.

In re the Honorable Steven L. Michels

CJC No. 2832-F-78

October 1, 1999

From an agreed statement of facts, the Commission determined that part-time Sunnyside Municipal Court Judge Michels violated Canons 1, 2(A) and 7(A)(1)(b, c, and f) of the Code of Judicial Conduct by making financial contributions to the campaign for office of two nonjudicial candidates for public office. The Commission admonished the judge.

In re the Honorable Charles A. Baechler

CJC No. 3135-F-76

October 1, 1999

The Commission granted former Pend Oreille District Court Judge Charles Baechler's request to withdraw his petition for reinstatement and closed its proceeding.

In re the Honorable Charlotte L. DuBois

CJC No. 2816-F-73

June 4, 1999

From an agreed statement of facts, the Commission determined that part-time Othello District Court Judge Charlotte DuBois violated Canons 1, 2(A), 3(A)(1) and 3(A)(4) of the Code of Judicial Conduct by knowingly entering incorrect information into the record in order to support the court's motion and order to waive service fees. The Commission censured the judge.

In re the Honorable Fred Aronow

CJC No. 2632-F-74

June 4, 1999

From uncontested allegations, the Commission determined that Spokane County Superior Court Commissioner Fred Aronow made inappropriate and offensive comments of a sexual nature to court personnel which conduct violated Canons 1, 2(A) and 3(B)(1) of the Code of Judicial Conduct. In determining admonishment as the appropriate discipline, the Commission considered that the judges of the superior court took prompt corrective action concerning Respondent's conduct, and that Respondent cooperated fully with the Commission and took responsibility for his actions.