On Thursday, February 13, 2025, the San Gabriel Valley Tribune reported that a Los Angeles County Superior Court judge has received a public admonishment for improperly accessing the private offices of fellow judges after hours. The California Commission on Judicial Performance announced the disciplinary action against Judge Daviann L. Mitchell, who has served on the bench since 2006, citing a serious breach of trust among judicial colleagues.
The commission’s findings indicated that Judge Mitchell repeatedly entered the chambers of Supervising Judge Denise McLaughlin-Bennett and Judge Kathleen Blanchard without permission during 2023, specifically after court hours. At the time of the incidents, McLaughlin-Bennett was overseeing Mitchell in her capacity as assistant supervising judge.
Upon discovering unauthorized entries into her chambers, which contained sensitive judicial documents, McLaughlin-Bennett took measures to safeguard her office. She began locking her door and arranged for the relocation of confidential materials. Additionally, she advised fellow judges to secure their computers and initiated plans to install security cameras in the hallways adjacent to the judges’ chambers.
Despite these precautions, Judge Mitchell continued to enter McLaughlin-Bennett’s office without authorization, leading to further security measures, including changing the locks. The commission reported that Mitchell also utilized a master key to access Judge Blanchard’s locked chambers on six separate occasions from October 31 to December 11, 2023. During these unauthorized visits, Mitchell rummaged through documents on Blanchard’s desk, searched closed cabinets, and attempted to access the judge’s personal computer.
The commission clarified that the materials Mitchell examined in Judge Blanchard’s office were not pertinent to her judicial responsibilities or administrative duties. The actions were deemed not only inappropriate but detrimental to the integrity and independence expected within the judiciary.
In response to the allegations, Judge Mitchell acknowledged her misconduct, attributing it to a period of significant personal and professional stress. She expressed regret for her actions, stating, “I lost my way and engaged in behavior that does not reflect the person I know myself to be.” Mitchell emphasized her commitment to restoring her integrity and adhering to high standards of conduct in the future.
In a separate disciplinary matter, the commission also reprimanded Mitchell for making inappropriate remarks to a defendant during a court proceeding in June 2023. While discussing a no-contest plea agreement in a child endangerment case, she made comments regarding the defendant’s physical appearance, stating, “You’re a younger man…you’re a handsome man, and you are very well built, and you will be an attraction in state prison.” The commission deemed these remarks as discourteous and undignified, further underscoring Mitchell’s need for improvement in her judicial conduct.
This admonishment is not the first instance of disciplinary action against Judge Mitchell. In 2010, the commission issued her an advisory letter for failing to disclose her extensive involvement in dog breeding while presiding over a case related to the criminal abuse of dogs. Mitchell has a long-standing history with animals, having established Nighthawk Rottweilers in 1982 and being recognized for her achievements in dog breeding and showing at prestigious events, such as the Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show.
Source: San Gabriel Valley Tribune
