Judge to Seek Another Term Despite DUI Arrests

Despite two recent drunk-driving arrests, Judge Robert Bradley will seek another term on the Superior Court this spring partly because of the support he has received to overcome the effects of alcoholism, his attorney said Thursday.

“Judge Bradley is going to run; he’s emphatic about his decision,” the judge’s attorney, George Eskin, said. “He’s been sort of overwhelmed by the broad-based support he’s getting, including representatives of law enforcement, the organized [county] bar, prosecutors and defense attorneys. That offsets some of that negative stuff that’s been reported.

“He’s been getting calls from throughout the community to fight this disease and to stay in office,” Eskin added. “There are an awful lot of people who have direct personal experience with alcoholism, and they want him to hang in there and win the battle.”

Bradley, 56, a judge since 1983, will stay in office even if he is convicted of driving under the influence of alcohol on Dec. 6 and Jan. 3, as police maintain. No charges have yet been filed.

But Eskin said the attorney general’s office will charge Bradley with both offenses soon, and he believes the judge will plead guilty.

“But those offenses do not disqualify him from the bench,” Eskin said.

His decision to seek a third term could bring a possible challenge from Public Defender Gary Windom, who said this week that allowing Bradley to remain on the bench fosters distrust of the courts.

Although Bradley will be a candidate on the June 2 ballot, his lawyer said the jurist has no intention of speaking to news reporters.

Several local judges and attorneys welcomed Bradley’s decision to run again, but anti-drunk-driving activists said the judge should not only retire but leave the bench immediately through resignation or leave of absence.

“I personally support him; he’s a good judge,” said Carmen Ramirez, president of the Ventura County Bar Assn. “I hoped he wouldn’t throw away his whole career in public service because he’s having some problems.”

Ramirez said Bradley is widely respected by lawyers because he is fair and has an even temperament. “I don’t always like what happens, but I think he’s one of our better judges,” she said. “I never mind being sent to Judge Bradley’s courtroom.”

Veteran Superior Court Judge Steven Perren also praised Bradley as a 20-year friend and “a man I can support. Bob Bradley is an outstanding judge, and I have no doubt will continue to be an attribute to the Ventura County bench.”

Dist. Atty. Michael D. Bradbury’s office released a statement saying it is too early to discuss candidates in the June election. And Sheriff Larry Carpenter could not be reached for comment.

Sheriff’s Chief Deputy Robert Brooks, who is running to replace the retiring Carpenter in June, said Bradley--a former prosector--is a longtime friend of law enforcement.

“He’s had an excellent reputation with law enforcement,” Brooks said. “We are all saddened by what he’s going through. And if he’s effective in overcoming this, I would see no reason why I wouldn’t endorse him.”

But Linda Oxenreider, president of the local chapter of Mothers Against Drunk Driving, said Bradley has made a bad decision--one that county residents do not support.

MADD has received nearly 1,000 telephone calls from residents angry that the judge resumed his judicial duties on Monday, just 36 hours after his latest arrest and only days after he was released from a four-week rehabilitation program.

“I’m surprised by this,” Oxenreider said. “I would think he would take time off and get well before he even tried to work as a judge again. His first rehabilitation didn’t seem to work because the first minute he got out he got drunk again.

“I suppose he’s getting support from the other judges, but I’m getting calls from citizens who are absolutely irate that he’s still on the bench,” she said. “His attorney says he’s only human, but in their courtrooms judges are God because everything they say has to be done. What they say is law.”

Oxenreider said while Bradley maintains he has always done his job effectively, she has received calls from anonymous residents who say they have seen the effects of his alcoholism when they appeared in court.

“They didn’t want to leave their names, but they said they’ve seen his hands shaking and things like that,” she said.

The Times has also received a handful of complaints about Bradley’s conduct on the bench, but most callers have asked to remain anonymous.

Bradley’s announcement of candidacy on Thursday caps a week of political maneuvering.

After the judge returned to work Monday, Deputy Public Defender Windom said Tuesday he is considering a race for Superior Court and would probably run against Bradley. Then on Wednesday, civil lawyer Glen Reiser, who represents Bradbury’s office in lawsuits and Bradbury personally, said he would probably seek Bradley’s seat if the judge decides to retire.

Reiser said his decision was meant to send a message that the county’s law-and-order establishment is prepared to fight for Bradley’s seat should he give it up.

Now, Reiser said that is not necessary.

“I support Judge Bradley,” he said. “He’s an outstanding judge.”

This year, nine judgeships are up for grabs and will appear on the June 2 ballot, if contested. Candidates must declare their intention by Feb. 4 to qualify to run for four, $107,390-a-year Superior Court positions.

Five Municipal Court posts, which pay $98,100 a year, are also available.