A judge censured nine years ago for mishandling drunken-driving cases and disparaging fellow judges and attorneys is under fire once again by the state's judicial watchdog agency.
The Commission on Judicial Performance on Thursday launched formal proceedings against Monterey County Superior Court Judge Jose Velasquez, a controversial, outspoken jurist first elected in 1995.
The commission charged Velasquez with willful misconduct, prejudicial conduct and improper action in connection with his handling of misdemeanor arraignments between January 2004 and May 2005. Investigators say the judge: jailed probationers without due process; increased defendants' sentences when he thought they lied or sassed him; didn't give some defendants the option of pleading not guilty; issued bench warrants for defendants whose attorneys were tardy; jokingly threatened defendants with jail time; and allowed his children in the bench area and chambers during proceedings.