Judge Carol Elswick of Alhambra, CA; ethical goblin

The state of California presented Carol Williams Elswick with a law license in 1984 after she graduated from Loyola University of Los Angeles School of Law.

It should be noted that Carol has had her significant snout firmly implanted in the public trough for the past twenty-seven years. Apparently, no self-respecting law firm in the greater Los Angeles area was about to offer Carol a good paying job.

The Commission on Judicial Performance found Judge Elswick guilty of the following misconduct.

• Improperly remanded and delayed sentencing of defendants in three separate misdemeanor probation cases
• Carol’s delay conveyed appearance that she was circumventing Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department’s early release program
• Disregarded the fundamental rights of defendants [due process]
• Misconduct led to deprivation of defendants’ liberty
• Improperly responded to peremptory challenge per Code of Civil Procedure
• Was discourteous to several defendants
• Improperly referenced her personal experiences when discussing the ability of some defendants to pay fines
• Conveyed the appearance of bias and prejudgment
• Misconduct, at a minimum, constituted improper action
• Abused her judicial authority

As a direct consequence of her misconduct, the cheerleaders for Judicial Misfits sitting on the Judicial Commission punished Carol by gifting her with a complimentary admonishment.

As we speak (ca. January 2019), Jimmy continues to sit as a LA County Superior Court Judge in Los Angeles, California.