Retired State Appellate Justice Barred, Censured Over Decade of Delays
The commission censured the former state appellate justice for engaging in a pattern of neglect and delay that spanned 10 years
Retired California appellate Justice William J. Murray, Jr. has received a public censure and a permanent bar from judicial service for a decade-long "pervasive pattern of neglect and chronic decisional delay," the state's judicial watchdog announced Tuesday.
The Commission on Judicial Performance (CJP) issued the decision and order on December 10, 2025 , resolving formal proceedings against Murray, formerly of the California Court of Appeals, Third Appellate District in Sacramento. The discipline was imposed pursuant to a stipulation and represents the most severe action the commission can issue against a retired judicial officer.
The bar prohibits Murray from ever serving in any judicial capacity.
The commission censured the former justice for engaging in a pattern of neglect and delay that spanned 10 years. According to the CJP, Murray failed to promptly author opinions in 132 cases for at least three years and caused actual prejudice to litigants in seven separate matters.
The ruling follows formal charges filed earlier in the year that detailed the extent of the alleged misconduct. The commission had initially accused Murray of delaying the decision or dismissal of 355 cases within one year of assignment or briefing.
Those charges alleged that the delays resulted in actual prejudice to parties in at least 16 cases, including one instance where an elderly victim of criminal securities fraud died before Murray issued an opinion in the case, which he had been assigned four years prior.
Murray, who stepped down on his 65th birthday, in 2022 disclosed that he suffered two strokes in 2017 — but remained on the bench for more than four years to qualify for retirement benefits.
The commission stated that Murray stipulated to the public censure and bar. Murray was represented by Randall A. Miller, Esq.; Andrew J. Waxler, Esq.; and Jeanette Chu, Esq. of Miller Waxler, LLP of Los Angeles.
The CJP is composed of six public members, three judges, and two lawyers. The chairperson is Hon. Lisa B. Lench.
