Judge in California faced courtroom gun threat, panel confirms

Controversial Judge in Los Angeles Faces Public Admonishment

A judge in the Los Angeles County Superior Court, known for making controversial remarks while presiding over cases, has been publicly reprimanded by a state agency responsible for addressing judicial misconduct. The judge, Enrique Monguia, was appointed to the bench in 2014 by then-Governor Jerry Brown and had previously served as a public defender in the county. He did not contest the Commission on Judicial Performance’s public admonishment, which is typically issued in cases involving serious misconduct.

The commission's report, dated August 28, detailed several instances where Judge Monguia made remarks that were deemed inappropriate and unprofessional. During his time presiding over criminal matters at the Clara Shortridge Foltz Criminal Justice Center in downtown Los Angeles, Monguia threatened gun violence against two attorneys and a retired judge. Additionally, he made comments that were considered discourteous and gave the appearance of bias toward crime victims, prospective jurors, defendants, and other individuals present in court.

One notable incident occurred in September 2023 when Monguia addressed two attorneys in his courtroom who he believed were discussing a case too loudly. He told them that if they continued speaking so loudly, he would authorize his bailiff to use physical force—not to shoot the attorneys, but so that Monguia himself could shoot them. This statement raised serious concerns about the appropriaten'ty of his conduct.

A month later, retired L.A. County Superior Court Judge Stephen Marcus entered Monguia’s courtroom without wearing his judicial robe. He was denied access to a private entrance reserved for court staff. Monguia reportedly told Marcus that he was lucky the bailiff wasn’t there, otherwise he would have “ordered” her to shoot Marcus or something similar.

The commission emphasized that Monguia’s remarks about shooting people, or having people shot in the courtroom, constituted an abuse of authority. These statements created an atmosphere of intimidation within the courtroom and, even if intended as jokes, were undignified and discourteous.

Monguia’s inappropriate comments were not limited to attorneys and judges. In one instance, he told a prosecutor that a pregnant woman with prior drug charges would have a “meth baby” supported by the judge’s taxes. He also made a remark to an overweight defendant who was struggling to afford fines, saying he didn’t like seeing him go hungry.

During jury selection in a September 2022 case, Monguia referred to a potential juror whose son had a criminal history as a “hot mess.” These remarks further highlighted the judge’s lack of professionalism and respect for those involved in the legal process.

In a written statement obtained by the Los Angeles Times, a spokesperson for the L.A. County Superior Court stated that disciplinary issues are confidential. However, the statement emphasized the importance of judicial officers upholding the integrity and impartiality of the judiciary by administering justice fairly and maintaining the highest standards of conduct both on and off the bench.

The commission noted that Judge Monguia generally acknowledged that his conduct was improper. Despite this acknowledgment, the public admonishment serves as a clear warning about the expectations placed on those in the judicial system. The case underscores the need for judges to maintain decorum, respect, and fairness in their interactions with all individuals involved in the courts.