Violation of Canon 3D(1) of the Code of Judicial Ethics by judge pro tem attorney John Richard Sokol is documented in this news article. Sokol is a sworn temporary judge and member of the Sacramento County Bar Association Family Law Section. Judge pro tem...
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Violation of Canon 3D(1) of the Code of Judicial Ethics by judge pro tem attorney John Richard Sokol is documented in this news article. Sokol is a sworn temporary judge and member of the Sacramento County Bar Association Family Law Section. Judge pro tem attorneys run the family court settlement conference program on behalf of the court in exchange for favorable treatment and kickbacks when representing clients in court, in cases where the opposing party is an unrepresented pro per. Kickbacks include favorable, “rubber-stamped” court rulings in child custody disputes, child and spousal support disputes, and attorney fee sanction requests. The kickback rulings are distinguished by being contrary to law and outside the boundaries of judicial discretion. The kickbacks and favorable treatment provided to temporary judge attorneys violate federal racketeering and honest services fraud laws, but the laws have not yet been enforced.
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