On Monday, August 28, 2023, the Washington Commission on Judicial Conduct released a notice regarding a fact-finding hearing for Bremerton Municipal Court Judge Tracy S. Flood’s misconduct case.
The case is entitled “In the Matter of Tracy S. Flood,” with case no. 11005-F-204.
The charges cited Canon 1, Rules 1.1 and 1.2, and Canon 2, Rules 2.5(A) and 2.8(B), of the Code of Judicial Conduct, which provide:
A judge shall comply with the law, including the Code of Judicial Conduct.
A judge shall act at all times in a manner that promotes public confidence in the independence, integrity, and impartiality of the judiciary, and shall avoid impropriety and the appearance of impropriety.
A judge shall perform judicial and administrative duties, competently and diligently.
A judge shall be patient, dignified, and courteous to litigants, jurors, witnesses, lawyers, court staff, court officials, and others with whom the judge deals in an official capacity and shall require similar conduct of lawyers, court staff, court officials, and others subject to the judge’s direction and control.
On July 6, 2023, the Commission on Judicial Conduct of the State of Washington filed charges against Judge Flood for mistreatment of attorneys and court staff resulting in a dozen staff members resigning from their positions. As per the statement of charges, spanning from July 2022 to October 2022, the Commission received numerous complaints accusing Flood of displaying an unbecoming demeanor toward counsel and staff. These complaints assert that she failed to exhibit patience, decorum, and courtesy when interacting with both attorneys presenting cases before her and the court staff, often adopting a dismissive and disrespectful attitude toward them.
The report states:
“Respondent’s mistreatment of attorneys and staff resulted in their departure from the court. As of this writing, at least a dozen staff members have resigned their positions, most recently the court administrator who resigned effective June 9, 2023. Those who have left employment at the court include every staff member who was employed at the court when Respondent took the bench in January of 2022, and at least four who were hired by Respondent.”
Judge Flood vehemently denied all the allegations against her on August 14, 2023. Following the response of Judge Flood, the Commission on Judicial Conduct of the State of Washington has scheduled a Fact-Finding Hearing. The hearing will commence on Monday, December 4, 2023, at 9:00 a.m. at the Kitsap County Courthouse in Port Orchard, Washington. Erik Price will preside over the hearing, with several panel members in attendance. It was emphasized that the hearing is in response to the statement of charges filed on July 12, 2023.
The judge earned a law degree from Seattle University School of Law. The judge’s Courtroom is at 550 Park Ave. Bremerton in Washington, and can be reached at 360-473-5215. Her info can be found on Ballotpedia.com.
A copy of the original filing can be found here.
