In a striking display of judicial misconduct, a federal panel has publicly reprimanded a San Diego judge for resorting to extreme measures in an attempt to deter a 13-year-old girl from a potential life of crime. The incident, which occurred during a February 2023 hearing, saw U.S. District Judge Roger Benitez order a U.S. marshal to handcuff the young girl as a means of intimidation, all in a misguided effort to dissuade her from following in her father’s footsteps.
The 9th Circuit Judicial Council, in a rare move, condemned Judge Benitez for his abusive and harassing behavior, deeming it a violation of the high standards expected of a federal judge. Despite Benitez’s claims of acting with good intentions to steer the girl away from a destructive path, the council was unswayed, asserting that his actions far exceeded the authority vested in him.
Central to the council’s reproach was the public spectacle made of a vulnerable child, a move deemed not only excessive but damaging to the integrity of the judicial system. By subjecting the girl to such humiliation, Benitez undermined the trust of the public and compromised the impartiality of the court.
In response to the reprimand, Benitez expressed his disagreement but ultimately faced a three-year ban from presiding over new criminal cases. However, given his prior decision to refrain from such assignments since 2017, the practical impact of this sanction remains limited. Defendants appearing before him for sentencing are now granted the right to seek his recusal, further reflecting the severity of the council’s censure.
Benitez, known for his contentious rulings on California gun control laws, now finds himself in the spotlight for an entirely different reason. His attempt to enforce his own brand of justice on the young girl has sparked outrage and scrutiny, serving as a sobering reminder of the responsibilities entrusted to those who sit on the bench.
As the dust settles on this troubling incident, questions linger about the role of compassion and empathy in the administration of justice, and the enduring impact of one judge’s ill-conceived actions on the lives of those who appear before him.
