Judicial commission publicly admonishes L.A. judge over remarks to jurors about English skills

The Commission on Judicial Performance on Tuesday publicly admonished Los Angeles County Superior Court Judge Susan Bryant-Deason for comments to two prospective jurors that the commission said were rude, discourteous and created the appearance of bias or prejudice.

The commission's 10-page decision stemmed from jury selection in the high-profile civil case Shashikant Jogani v. Haresh Jogani, a family dispute over a real estate portfolio and diamond business that was tried in Los Angeles Superior Court between September 2023 and March 2024.

According to the ruling, Bryant-Deason questioned two prospective jurors about their English-language abilities, as required under California law, which disqualifies people lacking sufficient English proficiency from jury service. But the commission found that some of the judge's remarks went beyond legitimate inquiry.

In one exchange with a prospective juror who had emigrated from China, Bryant-Deason asked: "Why did you want to come here and live? ... You don't speak English. You're not doing anything in our society. You can't be on a jury. What are you doing here?"

In a separate exchange with another prospective juror, the judge asked whether she had considered taking an English class and concluded the colloquy by telling her: "You should be very thankful. Learn English."

The commission said the comments were "demeaning, disparaging, and unnecessary" and undermined public confidence in the judiciary. It found Bryant-Deason violated multiple provisions of the Code of Judicial Ethics requiring judges to act with dignity, courtesy, and impartiality.

Bryant-Deason argued that her questioning was necessary to determine whether the jurors could serve and said she did not intend to be insensitive. The commission acknowledged the judge had a duty to assess English proficiency but concluded that obligation "did not lessen her duty" to avoid remarks creating an appearance of bias.