Inquiry Concerning Cardenas

*CJP Supp. 169 Opinion

This disciplinary matter concerns former Judge Luis A. Cardenas. Judge Cardenas served as a judge of the Orange County Municipal Court from March 30, 1976, to January 12, 1980, and as a judge of the Orange County Superior Court from January 12, 1980, to March 31, 1996. As a retired judge he sat on assignment in the Orange County Superior Court through December 31, 1996.

For the reasons set forth in this decision, the Commission on Judicial Performance finds that Judge Cardenas violated canon 2 of the California Code of Judicial Ethics as his actions in several cases gave the impression that two attorneys were in positions to influence him. The commission concludes that Judge Cardenas’s actions constitute “conduct prejudicial to the administration of justice that brings the judicial office into disrepute.” (Cal. Const., art. VI, § 18, subd. (d).) Judge Cardenas is hereby publicly admonished.

PROCEDURAL HISTORY

' Formal proceedings in this matter commenced with the filing on April 19, 1999, of a notice of formal proceedings. A first amended notice of formal proceedings was filed on November 4, 1999.

As provided by rule 121(b) of the Rules of the…