‘Judge Shopping’

Dist. Atty. Michael Bradbury has gone too far. His order that his deputies must disqualify Superior Court Judge Lawrence Storch in all criminal cases is not based upon legitimate reason. It is a selfish and childish reaction.

Judge Storch is a highly intelligent person. He has a fine legal education. His years of service have demonstrated diligence, ability and an evenhanded fairness that are admired by his colleagues and a large majority of the attorneys and litigants who have appeared in his court.

Dist. Atty. Bradbury is also intelligent, well-educated and competent. He suffers, however, from one glaring weakness. He cannot stand to lose. He flies into an emotional pique and seeks to disqualify a highly qualified judge for the sole reason that the judge, in all good conscience, does not agree with him.

This is not the first time. During the past several years a series of judges and commissioners have made his blacklist. He was not satisfied to seek amelioration by turning to the appellate court. Instead, he took the Draconian step of automatic blackballing, regardless of the type of case, and regardless of the resulting interference with orderly administration of the judicial system. Such “judge shopping” is inconsistent with the high standards which the people of Ventura County have a right to expect from their district attorney.

Twenty-five years ago, Ventura County Deputy Dist. Atty. Bradbury was young, competent, eager and a gentleman. It is regrettable that the power he achieved has changed him so much. Ventura County is no longer well-served.

ROBERT R. WILLARD

Ventura

Robert R. Willard was a Superior Court judge for Ventura County from 1964 to 1981.