In Re Complaint of Judicial Misconduct

FOR PUBLICATION JUDICIAL COUNCIL OF THE NINTH CIRCUIT   IN RE COMPLAINT No. 08-90026 OF JUDICIAL MISCONDUCT  ORDER Filed September 23, 2009 ORDER KOZINSKI, Chief Judge: A misconduct complaint has been filed against a district judge. The subject judge presided over a criminal case, to which complainants were not parties. Complainants allege that the judge made various improper substantive and procedural rulings. These charges relate directly to the merits of the judge’s rulings and must therefore be dismissed. See 28 U.S.C. § 352(b)(1)(A)(ii); Judicial- Conduct Rules 3(h)(3)(A), 11(c)(1)(B); In re Charge of Judi- cial Misconduct, 685 F.2d 1226, 1227 (9th Cir. Jud. Council 1982). Complainants also contend that the judge should have recused himself. The same claim—based on the same facts alleged by complainants—was rejected in an appeal by one of the parties to the criminal case. The court of appeals specifi- cally held that the judge may preside over the case on remand. The judge’s failure to recuse himself based on these allega- tions therefore cannot constitute past or future misconduct. DISMISSED. 13733 PRINTED FOR ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICE—U.S. COURTS BY THOMSON REUTERS/WEST—SAN FRANCISCO The summary, which does not constitute a part of the opinion of the court, is copyrighted © 2009 Thomson Reuters/West.