Former Judge Luis Cardenas of Irvine, CA; ethical troll

The State of California provided Luis Cardenas with a law license in 1968 after she graduated from Loyola University School of Law.

The California Commission on Judicial Performance found Derek guilty of engaging in the following misconduct.

• Louis’ actions in several cases gave the impression that two attorneys were in positions to influence him
• Made himself available to his two attorney friends after hours, by relying on their ex parte (one-sided) communications
• Failed to follow statutes and practices designed to limit a judge’s discretion
• Engaged in conduct prejudicial to the administration of justice
• Released spousal battery defendant based on ex parte request by Louis’ attorney friend
• Changed sentencing order imposed by another judge bases on ex parte request of Loui’s attorney friend
• Reduced criminal’s bail while he was on vacation based on the ex parte request of the judge’s attorney friend
• Failed to avoid the appearance of impropriety as well as actual impropriety.
• Brought his judicial office into disrepute

As a direct consequence of his misconduct, the cheerleaders for Judicial Misfits sitting on the Judicial Commission punished Louis by gifting him with a complimentary admonishment.

As we speak (ca. June 2024), Luis dispenses his so-called brand of jurisprudence as a $400 an hour Mediator/Arbitrator with JAMS at 5 Park Plaza in Irvine, California