Judge’s Plea for Legal Drugs Pleases Some, Irks Others

The personal attacks on Judge James P. Gray in response to his proposal to decriminalize certain commonly used drugs, though expected, are totally unwarranted. Whether one agrees or disagrees with his proposal, his integrity and his ability to carry out his judicial duties should not be called into question.

Those who know Jim Gray, and the level of his integrity, should have absolutely no doubt that Gray will continue to carry out his constitutional duty to apply the law. As judges, we recognize our responsibilities in this regard. It is not our job to pick and choose among the laws we will enforce and the ones we do not like. Every judge has had occasion to apply laws which the judge personally considered to represent poor public policy or with which the judge otherwise disagreed.

Rules of judicial ethics prohibit a judge from commenting on pending cases. Gray did no such thing. Judges have an ethical obligation to work toward the improvement of the justice system. We may disagree whether Gray’s proposal would have such an effect. However, we cannot honestly disagree that it was Gray’s intent to work toward the accomplishment of such an improvement.

W.F. RYLAARSDAM

Judge

Orange County Superior Court