Judge Is Indicted in Ticket Case

A Superior Court judge in Santa Clara County has been indicted by a criminal grand jury for allegedly fixing traffic tickets for, among others, members of the San Jose Sharks hockey team and the San Jose Earthquakes soccer team and for allegedly helping some drunk-driving defendants.

Judge William Danser, 50, was booked and released on his own recognizance, along with former Los Gatos police Det. Randy Bishop, who faces similar charges.

Both are charged with felony conspiracy to obstruct justice -- allegations which, according to the indictment unsealed Tuesday, are supported by 38 “overt acts.”

In most cases, Bishop brought the citations to the attention of Danser, who then dismissed them, the indictment alleges. It also alleges that he transferred two drunk-driving cases to his court, then issued lenient sentences, and that he unsuccessfully sought to have his son’s parking citations dismissed.

Danser faces six additional misdemeanor counts of obstruction of justice by a judicial officer, one attempted obstruction count and one conflict of interest count in connection with his son’s tickets. Bishop faces five misdemeanor counts of obstruction of justice by a judicial officer.

Both men are scheduled to be arraigned Oct. 20, said Assistant Dist. Atty. Karyn Sinunu. Danser will plead not guilty, said his attorney, Kenneth Robinson.

Danser has been placed on administrative leave without pay.