According to the California Judicial Performance Committee, Los Angeles County Superior Court judges were warned as they entered other judges’ private chambers and passed papers and computers.
Independent state agencies are responsible for investigating complaints about judicial misconduct and discipline state court judges, which published Public admonition This week about Judge Daviann L. Mitchell, she said she repeatedly entered the Supervisory Judges Judge Denise McLaughlin-Bennett and Katherine Boo Judge Kathleen Blanchard, without permission from 2023.
McLaughlin-Bennett and Blanchard at the time of the Michael D. incident in Lancaster McLaughlin-Bennett oversees Mitchell, who also served as an assistant oversight judge in the court.
“Judge Mitchell’s conduct constitutes a failure to uphold the integrity and independence of the judiciary and to observe high standards of conduct personally in order to preserve the integrity and independence of the judiciary,” the committee said.
Mitchell, who has been on the bench since 2006, said in a statement that her behavior “has happened during an extreme period of personal and professional pressure, resulting in a perfect match. Storm, I got lost and engaged in behavior that didn’t reflect people I knew I was.”
“These choices are my own choices that I take full responsibility,” she said. “I am committed to upholding the highest standards of lifelong dedication in my Justice Office with integrity and compassion, kindness and grace.”
McLaughlin-Bennett found someone entering her room and began locking her door, the committee said. She also arranged a meeting with court judicial officials and told them to lock the computer tonight. Mitchell continued to enter McLaughlin-Bennett’s conference room, who eventually changed her lock, the committee said.
Mitchell also entered Chambers in Blanchard in 2023 using the master key, the committee wrote. The committee found that she tried to get into Blanchard’s computer and passed the paper on the desk.
In response to the investigation during Mitchell’s appearance on the committee, she said she regretted her “completely unacceptable behavior” and that she would “get lost” when it comes to stress that affects her mental health.
Mitchell also made “adverse” and “unfailed” comments on the defendant’s appearance, the committee wrote.
On June 22, 2023, Mitchell presided over a case involving Stuart Cooper Young, who was charged with sexual offenses against a child. Young’s lawyers negotiated a plea agreement that involved Young begging for less time to go to jail.
Mitchell commented on Young’s appearance, saying that the person accused of sexual offenses against children “was not treated well in jail.” The committee wrote.
“You are a young man. You are a handsome man, you have a good figure and you will be an attractive person in the state prison, which may be something you have to consider, it will take up to 18 years.” Mitchell Tell him. “Is that the environment you want to enter?”
Mitchell was previously told in 2010 when the committee said she failed to disclose her involvement in dog breeding when she handled a criminal case involving dog abuse.
