Sacramento Superior family law judge publicly admonished by Commission on Judicial Performance

Judge Matthew Gary. | 

In a ruling issued today, the California Commission on Judicial Performance issued a ruling admonishing a Sacramento Superior Court Judge.

Judge Matthew J. Gary of the Sacramento County Superior Court, pursuant to stipulation was following a preliminary investigation. Gary agreed to the public admonishment to the Stipulation for Discipline by Consent pursuant to Commission Rule 116.5. 

The commission determined that it should issue a public admonishment where Gary failed to comport with high judicial standards and undermined public respect for the integrity and impartiality of the judiciary. Specifically, Judge Gary became embroiled in the matter, as evidenced by various comments, including that he was “picking sides” and that “the parties are going to find themselves with nothing in the end.” 

According to the CJP Gary made undignified, intemperate, and inappropriate comments about the parents damaging their child and made discourteous and sarcastic remarks, while questioning a witness and after the witness testified. Additionally, the judge also improperly injected religion into court proceedings by referencing the Bible and discussing the promise of everlasting life, improperly disparaged one of the party’s attorneys and made a variety of other discourteous and undignified comments about the parties, their attorneys, and the case itself. 

This misconduct preceded prior discipline for demeanor problems demonstrated in two other family law matters. Gary has been on the bench since 2007.

The entire decision can be viewed here. 

Copyright by Elk Grove News © 2020. All right reserved.


>