Tulare County Judge Publicly Admonished for Misconduct by State Commission
Among the conduct cited by the commission were instances in which Judge Wolfe ordered court employees to appear personally before her and threatened one with monetary sanctions.
A Tulare County Superior Court judge has been publicly reprimanded by the California Commission on Judicial Performance for a series of misconduct findings, including abuse of authority and improper courtroom practices across multiple family law cases, according to officials and documents released this week.
Judge Robin L. Wolfe, who has served on the Tulare County Superior Court since 2017, received a public admonishment on Dec. 16 after the commission concluded she engaged in numerous acts of serious judicial misconduct. The commission's action follows its investigation into multiple incidents and is intended to uphold public confidence in the judiciary.
Among the conduct cited by the commission were instances in which Wolfe ordered court employees to appear personally before her and threatened one with monetary sanctions, actions the commission said she lacked authority to take. She also summoned a court employee to her courtroom to admonish the employee and directed the employee to apologize to a litigant, the commission's press release states.
In addition, Wolfe implemented broad policies restricting cell phone possession that contradicted local court rules and improperly confiscated a litigant's cell phone, retaining it until the end of the court day. The commission also found she excluded domestic violence support persons from counsel tables and refused a reasonable accommodation request under the Americans with Disabilities Act from a litigant.
The commission noted that Wolfe's conduct adversely affected professional relationships with court staff and family court services personnel, as well as litigants. Attorneys from Long & Levit LLP of San Francisco represent Wolfe.
In its decision and order, the commission detailed several incidents involving Wolfe's courtroom management and interactions with litigants and staff. These included the improper confiscation of a party's cell phone during proceedings and her directive that the litigant return later in the day to retrieve it. The panel also cited incidents of discourteous treatment and comments that gave the appearance of bias or coercion.
Wolfe waived her right to a formal hearing and review by the California Supreme Court.
