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Where applicable, the following public cases may include Commission decisions, statements of charges, answers to statements of charges, exhibits, and/or supreme court decisions. These documents are available for download as Portable Document Format (PDF) files.*

In re the Honorable Kenneth L. Jorgensen

From an agreed statement of facts, the Commission determined that a Grant County Superior Court judge violated Canons 1, 2(A), 2(B), 3(A)(1), 3(A)(4), 3(A)(5) and 3(A)(6) of the Code of Judicial Conduct when he considered ex parte communications and failed to perform the duties of his office impartially, diligently and competently. The judge agreed to complete a program of education and mentoring. The Commission censured the judge.

Stipulation Pursuant to WAC 292-12-020(6) and Washington State Constitution Article IV, Section 31 (759 KB) filed 12/6/1996.

Statement of Charges (479 KB) filed 3/8/1996.

In re the Honorable Merle E. Wilcox

In an agreement between the Commission and a judge of the Island County District Court, the judge resigned and agreed he would not serve in any judicial office. The agreement closed the matter without further proceedings. The Commission alleged the judge violated the Code of Judicial Conduct by failing to comply with the Commission's December 1, 1995 Order of Censure.

Stipulation and Order (157 KB) filed 11/21/1996.

Answer to Statement of Charges (208 KB) filed 10/9/1996.

Statement of Charges (178 KB) filed 9/10/1996.

 

In re the Honorable Randal B. Fritzler

From an agreed statement of facts, the Commission determined that a Clark County District Court judge violated Canons 1, 2(A), 3(B)(1) and 3(D)(1)(a) of the Code of Judicial Conduct when he engaged in a consensual sexual relationship with a court employee while continuing to preside over matters in which the employee's spouse was the attorney of record. Additionally, the relationship disrupted the administration of the court. The Commission censured the judge.

Stipulation and Order of Censure (380 KB) filed 8/9/1996.

In re the Honorable Mark C. Chow

From an agreed statement of facts, the Commission determined that a King County District Court judge violated Canons 1, 2(B), 3(A)(7) and 5(F) of the Code of Judicial Conduct when he appeared on behalf of a relative on a matter pending in another court. The Commission admonished the judge.

Stipulation and Order of Admonishment (314 KB) filed 2/2/1996.

• Attachment 1 (362 KB)
• Attachment 2 (183 KB)

 

* These files were saved in ".pdf" format. Adobe Acrobat Reader is required to view them. If you don't have Adobe Acrobat Reader installed, it is available for free from the Adobe web site.