Judge Censured After Trying to Aid Friend

State authorities have disciplined a Long Beach municipal judge accused of trying to use her position to free a friend from jail.

The state Commission on Judicial Performance issued a public admonishment--a mid-level penalty--to Judge Elvira S. Austin last week after a formal inquiry.

The commission, an 11-member panel, found that Austin called several law enforcement agencies May 16 to try to order the release of a personal friend who was in custody.

“In the calls, Judge Austin initially denied she was attempting to use her office, but then repeatedly invoked her judicial position and appeared to order her friend’s release,” the commission said in a statement.

The commission’s inquiry found Austin made such statements as: “I want to know what order I need to give to release her. . . .I want to order her release,” and after a law enforcement officers resisted, she continued, “So, what you’re saying is you are disobeying a court order.”

By using her office, the commission ruled, Austin violated provisions of the state code of judicial conduct, including one that requires a judge to “act at all times in a manner which promotes public confidence in the integrity and impartiality of the judiciary.”