Chief Judge of Largest U.S. Appeals Court Cleared in Misconduct Case

Chief Judge Mary Murguia of the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals has been exonerated from allegations of misconduct. The complaint, dismissed on August 26, 2024, centered on claims that she failed to investigate an incident where a lawyer was handcuffed and detained in a Los Angeles courtroom.

The 9th Circuit, the largest federal appellate court in the United States, oversees nine western states and two territories. As the chief judge, Murguia typically handles judicial misconduct complaints within the circuit's jurisdiction. However, in this case, Judge Kim McLane Wardlaw reviewed the complaint to avoid potential conflicts of interest.

The controversy stemmed from an incident in November 2021 involving U.S. District Judge Stephen Wilson. During a trademark trial, Wilson ordered attorney Marina Lang to be removed from his courtroom and detained for allegedly disruptive behavior. Lang's legal representatives reported that she was placed in handcuffs, leg irons, and chains before being confined to a basement cell for several hours.

In January 2023, a three-judge panel of the 9th Circuit upheld a $3,510 civil contempt sanction against Lang. Civil contempt is a measure used to enforce compliance with court orders, distinct from criminal contempt charges.

The complaint against Murguia arose after the Los Angeles-based Metropolitan News-Enterprise, a legal publication founded in 1901, published an editorial on May 31, 2024. The editorial criticized Murguia's perceived inaction in investigating Wilson's treatment of Lang, questioning her fitness to serve as chief judge.

The editorial drew comparisons to Murguia's handling of a separate case involving U.S. District Judge Roger Benitez in San Diego. Benitez was reprimanded on May 1, 2024, for ordering a 13-year-old girl to be handcuffed in his courtroom as a deterrent against drug use.

Judge Wardlaw's investigation revealed that Murguia had no recollection of receiving information about the 2021 incident until June 2024, when another judge informed her about the editorial. Upon learning of the allegations, Murguia initiated an inquiry into the matter involving Judge Wilson.

Dan Lawton, Lang's attorney, expressed support for the investigation, stating, "There should be an inquiry. What Judge Wilson did was medieval."

It's worth noting that judicial conduct complaints are typically confidential unless formal charges are filed. The 9th Circuit Court of Appeals, known for its substantial caseload and influential decisions, has occasionally faced criticism for its perceived liberal leanings.

As this situation unfolds, it highlights the complexities of judicial oversight and the importance of thorough investigations into allegations of misconduct within the federal court system. The outcome of Murguia's inquiry into the Wilson matter remains to be seen, potentially impacting future practices in courtroom management and judicial conduct.