Hearing Set for Judge Accused of Violations

The Commission on Judicial Performance has set a hearing into allegations that a retired Superior Court judge fell asleep during three trials, told inappropriate jokes and sold copies of his book about his great-grandfather, the outlaw Jesse James, from the bench, officials said Tuesday.

Former Judge James Randal Ross, who retired in 1995, will have a hearing July 29 before special appointees named by the Supreme Court. It will be at the Fourth District Court of Appeal in Santa Ana.

Victoria B. Henley, the commission’s director-in-chief, said that Ross, 70, could be privately or publicly admonished, censured, and barred from assignments in any state court if the accusations are proved. Ross has been called back to the bench on occasion since his retirement.

Ross said he will represent himself and plans to call at least 81 witnesses. “I feel I will be vindicated all the way,” he said. “I will not accept a settlement because I didn’t do anything wrong and I will prove it. It’s that simple.”

Ross said the allegations against him have prevented him from getting any assignments since his retirement, resulting in about $250,000 in lost income.

Ross is accused of willful misconduct, conduct prejudicial to the administration of justice that brings the judicial office into disrepute, improper action and dereliction of duty.