Enrique Monguia Admonished

Enrique Monguia, a Los Angeles County Superior Court judge, was publicly admonished by the California Commission on Judicial Performance for a pattern of threatening and biased remarks spanning nearly five years, from 2019 to 2024. In September 2023, Monguia told two attorneys in his courtroom that if they didn't lower their voices, he would authorize his bailiff to use physical force — not for the bailiff to shoot them, but so Monguia could shoot them himself. In a separate October 2023 incident, retired Los Angeles Superior Court Judge Stephen Marcus tried to use a courthouse-staff-only door; not recognizing him, Monguia remarked that it was fortunate for Marcus the bailiff wasn't present, or she would have shot him. The Commission also found Monguia made numerous discourteous remarks that gave the appearance of bias — toward a crime victim, prospective jurors, defendants, and attorneys — including comments reflecting bias based on gender and ethnicity, and in one instance unfairly blaming a domestic violence victim. Monguia did not contest the Commission's findings, expressed regret and remorse, and said he had taken steps to address unconscious bias.