Judicial Watch's Western Regional Headquarters has been transforming the way justice is served since its inception.  We have responded effectively to complaints of flagrant abuses of power on the part of judges across the country. Our efforts have had a particularly dramatic effect in California’s State and Federal court systems. For example:

When Judicial Watch discovered Los Angeles Superior Court Judge Arnold Gold was favoring wealthy fathers in child custody cases, the organization took swift action. After a deluge of complaints, Judge Gold was forced into retirement. He's now operating as a "rent-a-judge," mediating cases for celebrity clients to the tune of $400 per hour.

JW is also taking legal action against Superior Court Judge George Ward Trammell III. Evidence shows that Judge Trammel sexually molested one defendant, saying she would have to “pay the price” if she ever wanted to see her husband, also a defendant, out of jail.  In 2001, Trammell pled guilty to mail fraud for a scheme that he used to “cover-up” this sexual relationship.  He was sentenced to 27 months in federal prison.

Then there is Justice Patrick B. Murphy of Alhambra who was thrown off the bench for collecting a $133,000 salary while attending medical school in the Caribbean. The Judge missed a total of 157 days of work in 1999 alone - 400 days since 1996. In May of 2001, a commission designated to investigate Judge Murphy charged him with “persistent failure or inability to perform judicial duties” as well as failing to give precedence to his judicial duties and making false claims of illness. Judicial Watch helped bring to light Murphy's transgressions.  On May 10^, 2001, the commission voted unanimously to remove Judge Murphy from the bench.