Judicial Panel Bars Retired Jurist From Bench

For the first time, the state’s judicial disciplinary agency has barred a retired judge from further work, saying that Orange County jurist James R. Ross abused and coerced lawyers and clients, told a dirty joke in the courtroom and was unrepentant.

Ross, a Superior Court judge from 1983 to 1995, “does not acknowledge any wrongdoing, nor is there any suggestion in the evidence or in the briefs that he would change his behavior if he were to resume judicial duties,” the Commission on Judicial Performance said.

The unanimous order, made available to reporters Friday, contains a public censure of Ross, the maximum penalty for a retired judge. It means he cannot accept temporary assignments from public courts, a common and lucrative occupation for retired judges.

It does not prevent him from seeking work as a private arbitrator.

Ross’ lawyer, Liza Ross Suwczinsky, who is also his daughter, could not be reached for comment. Both she and her father had told the commission that Ross did nothing wrong.

The most serious accusation against Ross, 71, dates from June 1995, when Ross was already under investigation. During a long and heated trial over an auto accident, Ross told one of the parties that he was in contempt of court and faced jail and a fine. But he said he would not hold a contempt hearing if both parties and their lawyers agreed not to sue Ross or report him to the judicial commission, or paid his expenses if they reported him.