Inquiry Concerning Sheldon

*CJP Supp. 47 Opinion

This disciplinary matter concerns Judge Christopher J. Sheldon, a judge of the Riverside County Superior Court. The commission issues this public admonishment based on its conclusion that Judge Sheldon committed conduct prejudicial to the administration of justice that brings the judicial office into disrepute.

APPEARANCES

Trial counsel for the Commission on Judicial Performance is Jack Coyle. Counsel for Judge Sheldon are James E. Friedhofer, Douglas R. Reynolds, and Eric D. Weitz of Lewis, D’Amato, Brisbois & Bisgaard (San Diego).

*CJP Supp. 48 PROCEDURAL HISTORY

Judge Sheldon became a municipal court judge in 1989 and was appointed to the superior court in 1992. In 1995, the Superior and Municipal Courts of Riverside County were consolidated and Judge Sheldon volunteered to handle the afternoon misdemeanor pretrial calendar in addition to his superior court duties. These proceedings concern Judge Sheldon’s method of handling the misdemeanor pretrial calendar from July 1995 until March 8, 1996.

The commission’s investigation of these proceedings led to the filing, on October 7, 1997, of a notice of formal proceedings. Judge Sheldon filed a verified…