Friday, December 14, 2012

California judge reprimanded for comments about rape

USA Today is reporting that a Southern California judge has been admonished for saying a rape victim "didn't put up a fight" during her assault and that if someone doesn't want sexual intercourse, the body "will not permit that to happen."

The California Commission on Judicial Performance voted 10-0 to impose a public admonishment saying Superior Court Judge Derek Johnson's comments were inappropriate and a breach of judicial ethics.

"In the commission's view, the judge's remarks reflected outdated, biased and insensitive views about sexual assault victims who do not 'put up a fight.' Such comments cannot help but diminish public confidence and trust in the impartiality of the judiciary," wrote Lawrence J. Simi, the commission's chairman.

You can find the full story here.  Atlantic Wire has more on the story here

UPDATE 12/14/12:   Prof. Jonathan Turley comments on the story here.

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