A Matter of Judicial Confidence

What sort of justice can the public expect from a judge who:

* Pleaded guilty to two drunk-driving charges and served 20 days in jail;

* Received special treatment from police officers on two other occasions when caught driving under the influence;

* Made threatening remarks to a deputy district attorney who dared to court the judge’s estranged wife;

* Stands accused by a state panel of showing up for work drunk, failure to do his job and habitual use of alcohol while a judge?

Not the sort of justice in which defendants, victims, lawyers, jurors, appellate courts or anyone else can have much confidence.

Superior Court Judge Robert C. Bradley should abandon his ill-advised campaign to return to the bench and let the justice system concentrate on its own important work.

The state Commission on Judicial Performance suspended Judge Bradley with pay and filed misconduct charges that could lead to his permanent removal. It is the first such action by the commission under a 1995 law that allows the state to temporarily disqualify jurists if their continued service could harm the public.

The judge promptly petitioned for another chance to show he can stay sober and serve out the last year of his term on the Superior Court. Bradley, 56, has been a judge since 1983; his successor will be elected in June.

The public became aware of his troubles after he was arrested for drunk driving Dec. 6 and again Jan. 3, the day after completing a four-week rehabilitation program. It was learned last week that he had been stopped twice previously by officers who opted to take him home rather than cite him.

Judge Bradley should save the commission the trouble and voluntarily step down. Even if he puts his drinking problem behind him, other concerns will remain.

Would his special treatment by law officers on two occasions prejudice him in the courtroom? What about his animosity toward at least one member of Ventura County’s team of prosecutors? Could his colleagues have confidence in his decisions?

The justice system has enough burdens without Judge Bradley trying to climb back onto the bench. He should spare his colleagues and the entire county any further installments of this sorry courthouse melodrama.