Disciplinary Proceedings Against Judge Dismissed
The Commission on Judicial Performance has dismissed formal disciplinary proceedings against Robert B. Lopez, 57, a veteran Los Angeles County Superior Court Judge, because the jurist already has resigned.
Lopez resigned Feb. 2 on the eve of a hearing that was to be held following his conviction for driving under the influence of drugs. He pleaded no contest last June.
At its March meeting, the commission, which investigates state judges for misconduct, dismissed the proceedings because of the resignation.
“The greatest extent of the (commission’s) action would be removal of the judge from the bench,” said Jack E. Frankel, director and chief counsel for the commission. “Since that has been accomplished, there would be little reason to proceed.”
John J. Quinn, an attorney for Lopez, called it a “natural” decision for the panel to make. “He’s resigned and would like to go on with his life,” Quinn said of Lopez.
Start your day right
Sign up for Essential California for news, features and recommendations from the L.A. Times and beyond in your inbox six days a week.
You may occasionally receive promotional content from the Los Angeles Times.
