On Thursday, August 28, 2025, the California Commission on Judicial Performance publicly admonished Los Angeles County Superior Court Judge Enrique Monguia for a series of inappropriate remarks and actions from the bench between 2019 and 2024.
The commission cited multiple instances of misconduct, including threats to “shoot” individuals and comments reflecting bias, which raised concerns about the judge’s judicial temperament.
According to the commission’s findings, Judge Monguia made statements in court threatening to shoot people or have them shot by his bailiff. In 2023, he directed such a remark at a defense attorney for speaking loudly during a separate matter. In another incident that year, he stated he would have ordered a retired judge in his courtroom to be shot if the bailiff had been present. In 2019, while addressing prospective jurors, Monguia joked that his bailiff was authorized to shoot anyone who entered the restricted area between the counsel table and the bench.
The admonishment also highlighted a pattern of improper comments directed at a crime victim, prospective jurors, defendants, and attorneys. Some remarks suggested bias based on gender or ethnicity. In one case, Monguia appeared to blame a domestic violence victim, stating, “It takes two to tango.” He was also found to have prejudged cases and interfered with attorney-client communications.
In a separate incident, Monguia reprimanded a criminal defendant who appeared without legal representation and ordered her into custody in the presence of her 3-year-old child without arranging for the child’s care. Additionally, he questioned a defendant’s ability to represent himself but delayed assigning counsel, resulting in extended time in custody for the individual.
The commission noted that Monguia’s actions over the nearly five-year period demonstrated a lack of respect for the rights of those appearing before him. However, the admonishment acknowledged mitigating factors. Monguia admitted to his misconduct, expressed regret, and reported taking steps to address unconscious bias and other issues contributing to his behavior. The commission also considered his lack of prior disciplinary actions in issuing the public admonishment.
Before his appointment to the bench by Governor Jerry Brown in 2015, Monguia served as a deputy public defender for 27 years.
A copy of the original filing can be found here.
