State panel rebukes James M. Brooks for remarks in two cases that are deemed ethnically insensitive and sarcastic

November 29, 2006

By Larry Welborn and Rachanee Srisavasdi (View author info)

A veteran Orange County judge was given a public admonishment today by the state judicial commission for several remarks and rulings in two cases that the commission said did not promote public confidence in the integrity and impartiality of the judiciary. In one case, the commission cited Judge James M. Brooks for making sarcastic, demeaning and intimidating statements to litigants. Comments from the second case were questioned as possibly perceived as biased or prejudicial. The California Commission on Judicial Performance also revealed that Brooks, 69, has received several other disciplinary warnings in the past, including comments that reflected ethnic bias.

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