Robert Bradley

Robert Bradley is now living a dream that often seemed impossible during the 15 years he spent traveling the country by bus, stopping just long enough in town after town to play for change in depots, street corners and city parks. "To be a professional singer was a dream I've had since I was 22, and I had just about given it up," the 50-year-old singer and songwriter said in a recent phone interview. "Now, people are writing about me, watching me on TV. . . .

A former Ventura County judge who was removed from the bench after a series of alcohol-related arrests is back in jail after violating his probation by drinking. Robert C. Bradley's most recent violation occurred Feb. 1 while he was enrolled in a rehabilitation program in Orange County. Bradley, 59, told authorities he had been out looking for work but then went to a store, bought a bottle of liquor and took it back to his room to drink.

Robert Bradley is now living a dream that often seemed impossible during the 15 years he spent traveling the country by bus, stopping just long enough in town after town to play for change in depots, street corners and city parks. "To be a professional singer was a dream I've had since I was 22, and I had just about given it up," the 50-year-old singer and songwriter says. "Now, people are writing about me, watching me on TV. . . . I'm recording and touring all the time.

Robert Bradley is now living a dream that often seemed impossible during the 15 years he spent traveling the country by bus, stopping just long enough in town after town to play for change in depots, street corners and city parks. "To be a professional singer was a dream I've had since I was 22, and I had just about given it up," the 50-year-old singer and songwriter says. "Now, people are writing about me, watching me on TV. . . . I'm recording and touring all the time.

Re "Bradley Gets Jail for Drinking on Probation," May 10. For the past few years I have been following the exploits of former Presiding Judge Robert Bradley. The decision by Judge Denise de Bellefeuille of the Santa Barbara County Superior Court to fairly administer justice renews my faith in the court system. In addition to Bradley's violations, he had used his position to intimidate and make a mockery out of the legal system. This lawbreaker was continuing to receive his pay while arrogantly continuing his path of self destruction.

Following is a memo Judge Robert Bradley sent to his colleagues upon returning to work Monday after his arrest Saturday night on suspicion of drunk driving: From: Robert Bradley To: Judges, Commissioners, Administration, Secretaries Date: 1/5/98 8:00 a.m. Subject: me 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; and now as a senior member of this court.

Rejecting new promises of sobriety from Robert Bradley, a state judicial panel on Tuesday suspended the Superior Court judge at least until he faces six counts of misconduct at a disciplinary hearing in late May or June. Bradley, 56, who pleaded guilty in February to two counts of drunk driving, had asked to be allowed to resume his judicial duties after he completes an alcohol treatment program this month.

"Let he who is without sin cast the first stone." I am utterly shocked by the county feedback on Judge Robert Bradley. He has demons to fight, as has everyone--though they pretend not to. His horrors have been despicably cast in the light of narrow-minded opinion. Frankly, the inhumanity of those who have written in disgusts me. Judge Bradley--you fight, and you will win. Defeat the negativity of these cretins and show your strength. M. KATJA WERLICH, Westlake Village Everyone deserves a defense, don't they?

Family-law attorney Cathleen Drury on Friday declared her candidacy for the Superior Court seat held by suspended Judge Robert Bradley and already sought by a top county prosecutor. The announcement of Drury, 46, that she will run to replace Bradley--who was arrested twice in a month on suspicion of drunk driving--sets up a race between civil lawyer Drury and chief Assistant Dist. Atty. Kevin McGee.

For the sixth time in nearly as many months, suspended Ventura County Judge Robert C. Bradley was arrested Tuesday by local authorities--this time on suspicion of violating the terms of his probation. The 57-year-old jurist, who unexpectedly left an Arizona alcohol-treatment program July 21, was taken into custody Tuesday afternoon in the room of a Ventura motel where he had been staying for more than a week.

Robert Bradley is now living a dream that often seemed impossible during the 15 years he spent traveling the country by bus, stopping just long enough in town after town to play for change in depots, street corners and city parks. "To be a professional singer was a dream I've had since I was 22, and I had just about given it up," the 50-year-old singer and songwriter said in a recent phone interview. "Now, people are writing about me, watching me on TV. . . .

Re "Bradley Gets Jail for Drinking on Probation," May 10. For the past few years I have been following the exploits of former Presiding Judge Robert Bradley. The decision by Judge Denise de Bellefeuille of the Santa Barbara County Superior Court to fairly administer justice renews my faith in the court system. In addition to Bradley's violations, he had used his position to intimidate and make a mockery out of the legal system. This lawbreaker was continuing to receive his pay while arrogantly continuing his path of self destruction.

Former Superior Court Judge Robert Bradley is suing Ventura County for $72,000 in legal costs incurred during his fight with the state Commission on Judicial Performance, which removed him from the bench after a series of alcohol-related arrests. Kirk Watson, the county's attorney, said the legal fees are not the county's responsibility because "the action which brought him before the commission in the first place did not occur in the scope of his employment as a judge."

In their final court brief before a disciplinary hearing, state prosecutors urge the Commission on Judicial Performance to ban Judge Robert C. Bradley from hearing any future cases and describe his drunken conduct last year as "unprecedented." Bradley, 58 and now retired, was convicted twice of drunk driving and was arrested four additional times for alcohol-related probation violations during an eight-month period between December 1997 and August 1998.

Determined not to let Judge Robert C. Bradley return to the bench, state prosecutors filed court papers this week asking the Commission on Judicial Performance to "protect" the public by barring him from any future service. A Ventura County jurist for 15 years, Bradley saw his career fall apart last year after he was arrested twice for drunk driving and four more times for alcohol-related probation violations.

A state panel has concluded that retired Judge Robert Bradley demeaned the Ventura County bench and violated judicial ethics during a series of alcohol-related arrests, findings that could result in his censure and being barred from future assignments. At the same time, however, the three-judge panel noted strong support in the legal community for Bradley's return to the bench if he can "overcome his addiction to alcohol and convincingly establish his ability to maintain complete sobriety."

"Let he who is without sin cast the first stone." I am utterly shocked by the county feedback on Judge Robert Bradley. He has demons to fight, as has everyone--though they pretend not to. His horrors have been despicably cast in the light of narrow-minded opinion. Frankly, the inhumanity of those who have written in disgusts me. Judge Bradley--you fight, and you will win. Defeat the negativity of these cretins and show your strength. M. KATJA WERLICH, Westlake Village Everyone deserves a defense, don't they?