Panel Probes Judge’s Order to Shock Defendant

California’s Commission on Judicial Performance announced Wednesday that it has launched an investigation into a Long Beach judge’s decision to order a three-strikes defendant stunned with an electroshock restraining belt for interrupting her at a sentencing hearing in June.

The commission, which serves as the state’s judicial disciplinary body, called for the probe of Municipal Judge Joan Comparet-Cassani’s actions at a regular meeting of the 11-member panel last week, said Cynthia Dorfman, staff counsel to the commission.

The commission has authority to mete out a variety of punishments for judges, from letters of admonishment to removal.

Wednesday’s announcement is unusual for the commission, which generally keeps complaints and investigations secret, but can make exceptions for matters of intense public interest, Dorfman said.

Comparet-Cassani made international news after ordering a bailiff to administer a 50,000-volt jolt to Ronnie Hawkins for his repeated interruptions on June 30. Witnesses said Hawkins, who was acting as his own attorney, posed no physical threat to anyone in the courtroom.

Civil liberty groups condemned the judge’s actions and the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors recommended that the Sheriff’s Department review its policy on use of its stun belts.

Comparet-Cassani did not return calls seeking comment. She removed herself from Hawkins’ case two days after Yagman filed a $50-million civil rights lawsuit on his client’s behalf against the her.