A Los Angeles County judge was publicly admonished Thursday by a state agency for a pattern of improper conduct towards litigants in his courtroom.
Superior Court Judge Thomas J. Griego’s misconduct included making discourteous, disparaging and gratuitous remarks to litigants, conveying the appearance of bias and raising his voice at parties appearing before him, according to the California Commission on Judicial Performance.
The commission determined that Griego’s conduct reflected a pattern of intemperate behavior toward self-represented litigants between April and November of 2023.
According to the commission, a judge must control their courtroom, but it is improper to do so in a way that is discourteous and impolite, especially when dealing with self-represented parties.
The commission also expressed criticism of the judge’s practice of insisting that litigants insert “Your Honor” into statements where no personal address was necessary.
This was Griego’s second disciplinary action in seven years, the San Francisco-based commission said.
The judge has served on the Superior Court bench since 2015.
The Commission on Judicial Performance is composed of six public members, three judges and two lawyers. The chairperson is Dr. Michael A. Moodian. Two public member positions were vacant.