Opinion ID: 7347068
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 3

Heading: Ill DISCIPLINE

Text: Judge Petrucelli has engaged in serious misconduct involving the misuse of judicial office, conduct that reflects poorly on the impartiality and integrity of the judiciary. Considered together with his history of prior discipline, his misconduct might warrant removal. (See post, p. Supp. 22). However, after careful consideration of the multiple factors discussed below, including that this is an isolated incident, and in deference to the masters’ finding that the judge acted in good faith, we have determined to impose this severe censure rather than the ultimate sanction of removal. 10 Determining the appropriate discipline depends to a large extent on the nature and number of incidents of misconduct. (Furey v. Commission on Judicial Performance (1987) 43 Cal.3d 1297, 1307, fn. 2 [240 Cal.Rptr. 859, 743 P.2d 919].) First, we look to whether the misconduct is an isolated incident or whether there are a number of incidents demonstrating a pattern of misconduct. (Fletcher v. Commission on Judicial Performance (1998) 19 Cal.4th 865, 918 [81 Cal.Rptr.2d 58, 968 P.2d 958].) Although Judge Petrucelli committed multiple ethical violations within a course of conduct, the crux of his misconduct involved the OR release of Ghazal. There is no indication that he has engaged in a pattern of similar misconduct. As such, we agree with the masters that the misconduct is an isolated incident and does not reflect a pattern. It is not only the number of incidents of misconduct that guides our determination of the appropriate level of discipline. The nature and seriousness of the misconduct is an equally important consideration. A single incident of misconduct may itself be sufficiently serious, particularly if of a corrupt nature, to warrant severe discipline, including removal. (Inquiry Concerning MacEachern (2008) No. 184 [49 Cal.4th CJP Supp. 289, 307].) Judge Petrucelli has committed serious misconduct, though not of a corrupt nature. Not only did he abuse his authority by taking judicial action in a matter that had not been assigned to him and contrary to section 1270.1, he did so under circumstances that created the appearance that he was providing special treatment to his friend and acquaintance. The commission has repeatedly condemned conduct that creates the appearance of a “two-track system of justice — one for those with special access to the judge, and the other for everyone else.” (Inquiry Concerning Wasilenko (2005) No. 170 [49 Cal.4th CJP Supp. 26, 51]; see, e.g., Platt, supra, 48 Cal.4th CJP Supp. 227; Stanford, supra, 53 Cal.4th CJP Supp. at p. 43; Inquiry Concerning Mills (2013) No. 192 [57 Cal.4th CJP Supp. 1, 13].) Providing procedural shortcuts or lenient treatment to friends or family “subverts the impartiality of the judicial system and undermines respect for the judiciary as a whole.” (Stanford, supra, 53 Cal.4th CJP Supp. at p. 25.) While many of the commission decisions in this regard involve traffic tickets, we consider the release of a person arrested for spousal abuse to be even more serious and detrimental to public esteem for the judiciary because it raises public safety concerns. In aggravation, the judge failed to make independent inquiries concerning the facts and circumstances of the domestic abuse incident that led to Ghazal’s arrest and failed to comply with section 1270.1. The limitations on issuing OR releases of defendants arrested for spousal abuse protect the victim by giving the prosecutor and the victim notice and an opportunity to object to the defendant’s release. 11 Without that opportunity, the victim’s safety could be jeopardized. Judge Petrucelli testified that he was not aware of section 1270.1. When asked whether, as a judge, he had a duty to be knowledgeable about the law, he testified, “Certainly that is my duty, but today as much as we do, I don’t know that I can keep up with or any judge can keep up on all of the changes and all of the different laws that we deal with.” Section 1270.1 was enacted in 1999 and the Victims’ Bill of Rights (Marsy’s Law), which includes other pertinent rights and protections guaranteed to victims, was enacted in 2008. The public has a right to expect that judges keep abreast of changes in the law before taking judicial action, particularly changes that affect public safety. A Fresno County district attorney stated that the district attorney’s office would be deeply concerned about anyone booked on domestic violence charges being released without notice and without an opportunity for the district attorney to be heard. He believes it diminishes the criminal justice system for one branch to act unilaterally without complying with the requirements of the statute. We agree. Judge Petrucelli presented evidence of his background in working on domestic violence issues and his sensitivity to victims of domestic violence. He was instrumental in instituting a roundtable in Fresno County to work on ways to provide assistance to victims of domestic violence and to educate the public about domestic violence. He received awards for his work with domestic violence. This background makes it all the more troubling that Judge Petrucelli was not sensitive to the risks inherent in releasing a person arrested for spousal abuse without contacting the alleged victim, the police or the prosecutor or conducting a criminal background check. Instead, his conduct created the appearance that he allowed his personal relationships with Ghazal and Netzer to overshadow his judicial responsibility to ensure public safety and treated this case differently than he treated other domestic violence cases. We have also taken into consideration Judge Petrucelli’s history of prior discipline. Judge Petrucelli previously has been disciplined three times: he was publicly admonished in 2007 and received two advisory letters, in 2001 and 2002. For the most part, the basis of the prior discipline pertained to the judge’s courtroom demeanor and did not involve conduct similar to the misconduct in this matter. However, the judge’s 2002 advisory letter included his misconduct in failing to disqualify himself in matters involving an attorney with whom he had practiced and had a continued financial arrangement (he did disclose) in violation of California Code of Judicial Ethics, canon 3E(1), the same canon he violated in this matter. In mitigation, Judge Petrucelli acknowledges the impropriety and serious nature of his misconduct and immediately took responsibility when confronted by his presiding judge. This is an important factor since recognition of the impropriety and nature of wrongdoing is essential to a willingness and capacity to reform. (Platt, supra, 48 Cal.4th CJP Supp. at p. 248.) Further, the record supports the masters’ finding that Judge Petrucelli is a dedicated, hardworking judge who has contributed positively to the workings of the court and to his community. Judicial colleagues described his excellent work ethic and willingness to accept all assignments. Attorneys and others who appear or work in the judge’s courtroom praised the judge’s judicial behavior and performance. Members of the community described Judge Petrucelli’s commitment to public service and to charitable causes and programs. Balancing the foregoing factors, the commission concludes that the purposes of judicial discipline — protection'of the public, enforcement of rigorous standards of judicial conduct, and the maintenance of public confidence in the integrity and independence of the judicial system — can be accomplished through a severe censure. Accordingly, pursuant to article VI, section 18 of the California Constitution, the commission hereby imposes this public censure of Judge Petrucelli. Commission members Hon. Erica R. Yew, Ms. Pattyl A. Rasparían, Hon. Thomas M. Maddock, Hon. Ignazio J. Ruvolo, Mr. Richard Simpson, and Mr. Adam N. Torres voted in favor of all the findings and conclusions expressed herein and in the order imposing a severe public censure. Commission members Ms. Mary Lou Aranguren and Ms. Sandra Talcott voted in favor of imposition of a severe public censure and all the findings and conclusions expressed herein, except the commission’s conclusion that the judge’s conduct in ordering Ghazal’s OR release does not constitute willful-misconduct. Commission members Dr. Michael A. Moodian and Nanci E. Nishimura, Esq., did not participate. Commission member Anthony P. Capozzi, Esq., was recused.