Los Angeles Judge Admonished Over Degrading Remarks in Court

A Los Angeles state criminal judge was disciplined for repeated “jokes” about shooting people in his courtroom, as well as a wide range of demeaning and inappropriate remarks in open court over nearly five years.

Judge Enrique Monguia also showed disregard for the fundamental rights of two unrepresented defendants, the state’s Commission on Judicial Performance said in a Thursday order.

Monguia improperly ordered a mother to be detained and chaotically separated her from her child, and extended another defendant’s time in custody, after communicating ex parte with an investigator and stalling to appoint his counsel, the commission said.

Monguia’s comments ...