On Thursday, December 18, 2025, the California Commission on Judicial Performance publicly admonished Los Angeles County Superior Court Judge Debra R. Archuleta for a pattern of misconduct, including discourteous behavior, improper communication, and independent investigation. The admonishment stems from Judge Archuleta’s actions in seven separate cases primarily involving juvenile dependency hearings between March 2020 and September 2023.
The commission’s findings, detailed in a public statement, cite instances where Judge Archuleta displayed impatience, a lack of dignity, and created a contentious courtroom environment. The commission determined that her behavior failed to promote meaningful participation from all parties, including children, and gave the appearance that orders were issued based on pique. In some instances, Judge Archuleta reportedly treated parents and children as criminal defendants rather than participants in dependency court proceedings.
One specific case, In re B.T., involved Judge Archuleta removing a child from the mother’s custody despite the Department of Children and Family Services (DCFS) not recommending such action. The commission found this conveyed embroilment and bias against DCFS and the mother. In another instance, In re D.R., et al., Judge Archuleta independently contacted a treatment center to verify a mother’s enrollment status, which the commission deemed an improper independent investigation. During this incident, she also made negative comments about the treatment center, further contributing to the finding of discourteous conduct.
Additional instances of misconduct included improper admonishment of an attorney, off-the-record discussions concerning substantive matters without properly preserving the record, and disparaging remarks toward a 14-year-old child in foster care, In re H.R., et al. In In re K.L., et al., Judge Archuleta contacted an attorney’s supervisor to complain about the attorney’s courtroom conduct, which the commission viewed as conveying the appearance of embroilment and bias.
In In re L.H., et al., Judge Archuleta disagreed with the DCFS case plan and contacted a social worker ex parte to discuss her concerns. The commission found this to be an improper ex parte communication and evidence of bias. Finally, in In re R.G., et al., Judge Archuleta stated she did not care what the juvenile delinquency court did and removed a child from his grandmother’s care based on old information.
Judge Archuleta initially waived her right to formal proceedings and review by the Supreme Court, demanding an appearance before the commission, but later withdrew her objections and demand.
This public admonishment is not Judge Archuleta’s first disciplinary action. In February 2023, she received a private admonishment for similar conduct, including denying litigants the opportunity to be heard, discourtesy, and remarks that gave the appearance of bias.
Eight commission members voted for the public admonishment, with one member preferring a referral to Trial Counsel for consideration of formal proceedings. Two members were recused.
A copy of the original filing can be found here.
