LA judge publicly admonished for mistreating pro pers

For a second time, Los Angeles County Superior Court Judge Thomas J. Griego had been disciplined by the Commission on Judicial Performance, this time for a pattern of discourteous and improper behavior toward litigants, especially those who were self-represented.

The commission found that Griego repeatedly interrupted litigants, raised his voice, made disparaging remarks, and conveyed the appearance of bias in multiple cases between April and November 2023. The panel said he likened one matter he presided over to a Jerry Springer case.

Griego did not respond to a message left at his chamber's number. In response to the commission's findings, he acknowledged some of his comments were inappropriate but defended others as efforts to control his courtroom or evaluate evidence.

Griego was elected to the bench in 2014 following an unsuccessful campaign for a judicial seat in 2010, during which the Los Angeles County Bar Assocation rated him as "not qualified". In 2017, the commission sent him an advisory letter - a milder form of discipline -- for improperly investigating the scene of traffic accident and related issues and failing to disqualify himself from the case.

In Thursday's 16-page public admonishment, the commission details a litany of rude or injudicious behavior by Griego.

In one small claims case, Griego told litigants they were "two pigs in the trough, fighting with each other." In another, he likened an adverse small claims judgment to having a felony on one's record. The judge also frequently insisted litigants address him as "Your Honor" even when not directly addressing him.

The commission determined Griego's conduct violated several canons of judicial ethics, including failing to be patient, dignified and courteous; failing to perform duties without bias or prejudice; and failing to promote public confidence in the integrity and impartiality of the judiciary.

"The commission observed that while a judge must control their courtroom, it is improper to do so in a way that is discourteous and impolite, especially when dealing with self-represented parties," the admonishment read. They also criticized Griego's practice of insisting that litigants insert "Your Honor" into statements where no personal address was necessary.