In re Naranjo

Summary

The Court accepted the stipulated agreement and consent to discipline concerning a magistrate judge's ex parte call to another judge seeking favorable treatment for his stepson. It held that the call violated multiple provisions of the Code of Judicial Conduct and constituted willful misconduct because it attempted to influence a pending judicial decision, vouched for the stepson's character, and abused the prestige of judicial office. The Court publicly censured the judge and confirmed a ninety-day suspension with sixty days deferred subject to compliance with the stipulated conditions.