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JUDGE APOLOGIZES FOR 2ND ARREST; BRADLEY SAYS HE'S SORRY FOR CAUSING EMBARRASSMENT.


Byline: Jesse Hiestand Daily News Staff Writer

Ventura County Superior Court Judge Robert C. Bradley apologized Monday for his weekend DUI arrest - his second in a month - saying he was sorry for the ``embarrassment'' he had caused local court officials.

In a computer message sent to fellow judges and court administrators, Bradley said he took full responsibility for the conduct that led to his arrest Saturday night in Santa Paula Santa Paula (săn`tə pôl`ə), city (1990 pop. 25,062), Ventura co., S Calif., on the Santa Clara River in a fertile valley that yields citrus fruits, avocados, vegetables, flowers, nursery products, and walnuts; laid out 1875, inc. .

``I want you to know how sorry I am and I apologize a·pol·o·gize  
intr.v. a·pol·o·gized, a·pol·o·giz·ing, a·pol·o·giz·es
1. To make excuse for or regretful acknowledgment of a fault or offense.

2. To make a formal defense or justification in speech or writing.
 for the embarrassment I have caused you and this court,'' wrote Bradley, who later declined to comment on his arrest.

Bradley was arrested about 9 p.m. Saturday by a Santa Paula police officer who stopped to help him fix a flat tire and noticed that he appeared intoxicated in·tox·i·cate  
v. in·tox·i·cat·ed, in·tox·i·cat·ing, in·tox·i·cates

v.tr.
1. To stupefy or excite by the action of a chemical substance such as alcohol.

2.
. The 56-year-old jurist A judge or legal scholar; an individual who is versed or skilled in law.

The term jurist is ordinarily applied to individuals who have gained respect and recognition by their writings on legal topics.


jurist n.
 was given a field sobriety test, then was taken to Santa Paula Memorial Hospital for a blood alcohol test. The results have not yet been released.

Bradley was booked at the Santa Paula jail then was released to the custody of a friend about 11:30 p.m., officials said.

``The judge was processed in the same manner as any other citizen would be processed,'' Santa Paula Police Chief Walt Adair said. ``He was arrested, his car was impounded, his driver's license Noun 1. driver's license - a license authorizing the bearer to drive a motor vehicle
driver's licence, driving licence, driving license

license, permit, licence - a legal document giving official permission to do something

 was seized, and he was issued a temporary license.''

Bradley, 56, resumed hearing civil case settlements Monday for the first time since Dec. 6, when he was arrested on suspicion of drunk driving near his Ojai home. Following that incident, in which he reportedly had a blood alcohol level of .21 percent, court officials said Bradley was seeking treatment for alcohol abuse.

Ventura County prosecutors declined to handle Bradley's first case, citing a conflict of interest because the judge previously worked for the District Attorney's Office. The state Attorney General's Office is handling that case and also is expected to take over the most recent incident.

If the two cases are combined and he is convicted of both, court officials say that Bradley could receive a lesser sentence than if the offenses were tried separately.

Ventura attorney Jay Johnson Jay Johnson can refer to:
  • Jay W. Johnson one term U.S. Democratic congressmman from Wisconsin (1997 - 1999)
  • Jay L. Johnson U.S. Navy Chief of Naval Operations
  • Jay Kenneth Johnson
  • Jay Johnson (Computer Guru)
  • Jay Johnson (ventriloquist)
 said his longtime long·time  
adj.
Having existed or persisted for a long time: a longtime friend; a longtime resident of Detroit.


longtime
Adjective
 friend has been struggling with alcoholism alcoholism, disease characterized by impaired control over the consumption of alcoholic beverages. Alcoholism is a serious problem worldwide; in the United States the wide availability of alcoholic beverages makes alcohol the most accessible drug, and alcoholism is  for nearly 20 years.

``He's had this problem for quite awhile a·while  
adv.
For a short time.

Usage Note: Awhile, an adverb, is never preceded by a preposition such as for, but the two-word form a while may be preceded by a preposition.
 and has been actively involved in trying to beat it,'' said Johnson, who met Bradley when both worked in the District Attorney's Office in the late 1970s.

While Bradley is a first-rate and well-respected judge, Johnson said that he should resolve his problems before hearing cases.

``I would hope for his own personal sake that he would deal with this unfortunate problem and solve it before he tries to take on the very real burdens of the tough job of judging cases,'' he said.

Other local attorneys expressed shock at Bradley's second arrest.

``I thought he was getting treatment,'' said John H. Howard, outgoing president An outgoing president is a president or, generally, other head of state or government when he holds office between the election of his successor and the inauguration by which that successor assumes power.  of the Ventura County Bar Association. ``(Bradley) is a fine and caring human being who apparently has a very serious problem. But being a fine person doesn't excuse this conduct. I hope he can get all the help he needs.''

Following his Dec. 6 arrest, Bradley stepped down as presiding judge presiding judge n. 1) in both state and federal appeals court, the judge who chairs the panel of three or more judges during hearings and supervises the business of the court.  and also withdrew from hearing the capital murder trial of Michael Dally, a Ventura man accused of conspiring to have his wife killed.

Superior Court Judge Charles W. Campbell took over the Dally trial and became the presiding judge in December, a month before he was scheduled to assume those duties, said courts administrator Sheila Gonzalez.

``All we can do is be supportive and hope he's able to overcome his problems,'' Gonzalez said.

If convicted, Bradley's actions would be reviewed by the state Commission on Judicial Performance, which is responsible for discipline, Gonzalez said.

But commission director Victoria Henley said she was unclear what additional discipline Bradley could face if he receives more than one DUI conviction.

``We don't have a track record here,'' she said. ``I don't think the commission has previously had to deal with pending multiple DUIs.''

Jurist's memo cites pain, embarrassment

Following is the text of a memo sent Monday from Ventura County Superior Court Judge Robert Bradley Robert Bradley or Bob Bradley can refer to:
  • Bob Bradley (born 1958), American soccer coach
  • Bob Bradley (wrestler), American professional wrestler
  • Bobby Bradley, American professional wrestler
 to other court officials, concerning his second arrest on suspicion of drunk driving:

As you know, I have devoted the last 30 years of my life to public service, as an Army Captain in Vietnam, as a prosecutor prosecutor

Government attorney who presents the state's case against the defendant in a criminal prosecution. In some countries (France, Japan), public prosecution is carried out by a single office. In the U.S., states and counties have their own prosecutors.
, and now as a senior member of this court. During this time, I have always strived to do what is right and to do my very best.

In recent months, I have gone through what is clearly the most difficult period of my life. It has been a hard reminder that regardless of one's position we are all human, have the same frailties and experience the same pain and sorrows as anyone else. I am receiving help to deal with my problems and will continue to do so.

Regrettably, as a result of what I have been going through, I have been involved in two recent incidents of drinking and driving. There is no excuse for this conduct, and I intend to take full responsibility for it. I want you to know how sorry I am, and I apologize for the embarrassment I have caused to you and this court. I also want you to know that I am at work today, will carry a full workload and continue to fully discharge the duties of my office. As you are aware, I have never allowed my personal difficulties to adversely affect my judicial duties. I want to assure you that this will continue to be the case.

Thank you for you (sic Latin, In such manner; so; thus.

A misspelled or incorrect word in a quotation followed by "[sic]" indicates that the error appeared in the original source.
) unflagging support and encouragement. I intend to work doubly hard to continue to deserve that support and to restore the public's confidence in me.

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SIMI Search for Intelligent Monkeys on the Internet
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 and CONEJO only) Jurist's memo cites pain, embarrassment (See Text)
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Publication:Daily News (Los Angeles, CA)
Date:Jan 6, 1998
Words:984
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