Inquiry Concerning Shaw

*CJP Supp. 127 Opinion

This disciplinary matter concerns Judge Susanne S. Shaw, a judge of the Orange County Unified Superior Court. Judge Shaw was elected to the Orange County Municipal Court in 1984 and took her oath of office on January 7, 1985. As a result of the unification of the courts, Judge Shaw became a judge of the Orange County Unified Superior Court on August 10, 1998.

SUMMARY

The Commission on Judicial Performance concludes that Judge Shaw committed two acts of conduct prejudicial to the administration of justice in making an ex parte comment to two deputy district attorneys (count 2) and making a statement to a thin white defendant she had ordered into custody that was reasonably understood to infer that he might be vulnerable to sexual assault in jail (count 8). In addition, the commission concludes that Judge Shaw’s comments to a deputy district attorney concerning her alleged drinking habits and those of her future father-in-law constituted improper action (count 1). This conduct violated the California Code of Judicial Ethics, canon 1 (a judge shall uphold the integrity and independence of the judiciary) and canon 2A (“[a] judge shall respect and comply with…