Judge to Seek Another Term Despite DUI Arrests
Despite two recent drunk-driving arrests, Judge Robert Bradley will seek another term on the Superior Court this spring partly because of the support he has received to overcome the effects of alcoholism, his attorney said Thursday.
"Judge Bradley is going to run; he's emphatic about his decision," the judge's attorney, George Eskin, said. "He's been sort of overwhelmed by the broad-based support he's getting, including representatives of law enforcement, the organized [county] bar, prosecutors and defense attorneys. That offsets some of that negative stuff that's been reported.
"He's been getting calls from throughout the community to fight this disease and to stay in office," Eskin added. "There are an awful lot of people who have direct personal experience with alcoholism, and they want him to hang in there and win the battle."
Bradley, 56, a judge since 1983, will stay in office even if he is convicted of driving under the influence of alcohol on Dec. 6 and Jan. 3, as police maintain. No charges have yet been filed.
But Eskin said the attorney general's office will charge Bradley with both offenses soon, and he believes the judge will plead guilty.
"But those offenses do not disqualify him from the bench," Eskin said.
His decision to seek a third term could bring a possible challenge from Public Defender Gary Windom, who said this week that allowing Bradley to remain on the bench fosters distrust of the courts.
Although Bradley will be a candidate on the June 2 ballot, his lawyer said the jurist has no intention of speaking to news reporters.
Several local judges and attorneys welcomed Bradley's decision to run again, but anti-drunk-driving activists said the judge should not only retire but leave the bench immediately through resignation or leave of absence.
"I personally support him; he's a good judge," said Carmen Ramirez, president of the Ventura County Bar Assn. "I hoped he wouldn't throw away his whole career in public service because he's having some problems."
Ramirez said Bradley is widely respected by lawyers because he is fair and has an even temperament. "I don't always like what happens, but I think he's one of our better judges," she said. "I never mind being sent to Judge Bradley's courtroom."
Veteran Superior Court Judge Steven Perren also praised Bradley as a 20-year friend and "a man I can support. Bob Bradley is an outstanding judge, and I have no doubt will continue to be an attribute to the Ventura County bench."
