Judge’s case

Re “ ‘I am a good trial judge,’ Riverside County jurist tells state commission,” Aug. 30

Rarely does a judge cut any slack for a criminal defendant who violates his or her terms of probation. I have observed judges impose severe sanctions on attorneys who came to court unprepared. Judge Robert Spitzer, who violated court orders, should be judged by the same, or perhaps a higher, standard. His fellow judges traveled to San Francisco (at taxpayer expense?) to defend their colleague. Was their defense based on their desire to protect a crony or on the belief that Spitzer was carrying his weight in the efficient and orderly administration of justice in Riverside County? I doubt it was the latter.

Cheryl Wilson

Los Angeles