CJC No. 8583-F-174
December 8, 2017
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.
Certificate of Completion and Order filed 5/11/2018.
Stipulation, Agreement and Order of Admonishment filed 12/8/2017.
CJC No. 8710-F-176
December 8, 2017
From an agreed statement of facts, Snohomish County Superior Court Judge Mary Elizabeth Dingledy stipulated that she violated Canon 1 (Rules 1.1 and 1.2) of the Code of Judicial Conduct by driving under the influence of alcohol (DUI). Judge Dingledy pleaded guilty to DUI and promptly satisfied all the terms of her sentence. She self-reported her violation to the Commission and fully cooperated with the investigation. The Commission reprimanded Judge Dingledy and ordered her to participate in three public speaking engagements about her misconduct and to promptly read the Code.
Certificate of Completion and Order filed 6/25/2021.
Stipulation, Agreement and Order of Reprimand filed 12/8/2017.
CJC No. 8222-F-171
September 29, 2017
From an agreed statement of facts, King County Superior Court Judge Mary E. Roberts stipulated that she violated Canon 1 (Rules 1.1 and 1.2) and Canon 2 (Rule 2.5) of the Code of Judicial Conduct by failing to issue timely decisions in multiple pending cases in violation of the Washington Constitution and RCW 2.08.240. Respondent's misconduct represented a pattern of behavior. The instances of unjustified delay occurred over the course of three years and in several cases the length of delay was significant. She also stipulated that she initially failed to respond to the Commission's inquiries. The Commission censured Judge Roberts who agreed to affirm in writing to the Commission every three months for two years that she has no overdue decisions and to read the Code of Judicial Conduct in its entirety.
Certificate and Order of Completion filed 11/22/2019.
Stipulation, Agreement and Order of Censure filed 9/29/2017.
Answer to Statement of Charges filed 3/24/2017.
Statement of Charges filed 3/8/2017.
CJC No. 8345-F-173
July 14, 2017
From an agreed statement of facts, Okanogan County Superior Court Judge Henry Rawson stipulated that he violated Canon 1 (Rules 1.1 and 1.2) and Canon 2 (Rule 2.5(A)) of the Code of Judicial Conduct by failing to issue timely decisions in three pending cases in violation of the Washington Constitution and RCW 2.08.240. Judge Rawson has no history of discipline and was fully cooperative with the Commission. The Commission admonished Judge Rawson.
Stipulation, Agreement and Order of Admonishment filed 7/14/2017.
CJC No. 8333-F-172
May 12, 2017
From an agreed statement of facts, Yakima County Superior Court Judge Douglas Federspiel stipulated that he violated Canon 1 (Rules 1.1, 1.2 and 1.3) and Canon 4 (Rule 4.1(A)(9)) of the Code of Judicial Conduct by personally soliciting endorsements for his 2016 judicial campaign from subordinate court and county employees in a non-public area of the Yakima County Juvenile Justice Center during their work hours. Judge Federspiel agreed that approaching subordinate employees during their work hours could reasonably be perceived as an abuse of his judicial position and a misuse of court facilities and resources. The Commission reprimanded Judge Federspiel and ordered him to promptly read and familiarize himself with the Code and complete one hour of pre-approved judicial campaign ethics training within 24 months.
Certificate and Order of Completion filed 4/26/2019.
Stipulation, Agreement and Order of Reprimand filed 5/12/2017.