Inquiry Concerning Swift & McGuire

*CJP Supp. 8 Opinion

These are two disciplinary matters, one concerning Bert L. Swift, Judge of the San Bernardino County Municipal Court, and the other concerning James C. McGuire, Judge of the San Bernardino County Superior Court. The matters have been consolidated for all purposes. After formal factfinding and review by the Commission on Judicial Performance (Commission), the Commission has concluded that both matters should be dismissed.

BACKGROUND

Formal proceedings were commenced with the service of the Commission’s notices of formal proceedings dated February 6, 1996.

Judge Swift was represented in the formal proceedings by Thomas C. Brayton and Jones Mahoney, Brayton & Soil of Claremont, California. Judge McGuire was represented by Thomas R. Hudson of Ontario, California. The examiners for the Commission were Dennis F. Coupe and Jack Coyle of the Commission’s Office of Trial Counsel.

Special masters were appointed by the Supreme Court on May 7, 1996. 1 The special masters were directed to prepare a report containing “a brief *CJP Supp. 9 statement of the proceedings had and their findings of fact and conclusions of law with respect to the issues presented by the…