Commission on Judicial Performance - Decision and Order Imposing Severe Public Censure and Bar

Sep 21, 2026

Decision and order from the California Commission on Judicial Performance concerning Judge Michael J. Carrozzo of the Santa Barbara County Superior Court. The document addresses discipline arising from a notice of formal proceedings filed after December 18, 2024, and describes a consent stipulation approved April 10, 2025. It sets terms including a severe public censure and bar, an irrevocable resignation effective September 9, 2025, and restrictions on future judicial office, assignments, and court-referred work, with public release upon acceptance.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryForms

FormatPDF

Pages82

Reading Time29 min

AccessFree to download

Terms and Conditions of Agreement

Stipulation for Discipline by Consent

Stipulated Facts and Legal Conclusions

Count One

FILED April 17 2025 COMMISSION ON JUDICIAL PERFORMANCE STATE OF CALIFORNIA BEFORE THE COMMISSION ON JUDICIAL PERFORMANCE IN THE MATTER CONCERNING JUDGE MICHAEL J. CARROZZO No. 210 DECISION AND ORDER IMPOSING SEVERE PUBLIC CENSURE AND BAR PURSUANT TO STIPULATION (Commission Rule 127) This disciplinary matter concerns Judge Michael J. Carrozzo, a judge of the Santa Barbara County Superior Court. On December 18, 2024, the commission filed its Notice of Formal Proceedings against Judge Carrozzo. Judge Carrozzo and his counsel, Heather L. Rosing, Esq. and Christine C. Rosskopf, Esq. of Rosing Pott & Strohbehn , and Gabrielle M. Jackson, Esq. of Long & Levit LLP, have entered into a stipulation with the examiners for the Commission on Judicial Performance, Mark A. Lizarraga, Esq. and Gregory J. Cleaver, Esq. , pursuant to commission rule 127, to resolve the pending formal proceedings involving Judge Carrozzo by imposition of a severe public censure; an irrevocable resignation from office, effective September 9, 2025; and an agreement that Judge Carrozzo will not seek or hold judicial office, accept a position or an assignment as a judicial officer, subordinate judicial officer, or judge pro tem with any court in the State of California, or accept a reference of work from any California state court, at any time after September 9, 2025. Judge Carrozzo has also agreed to take approved leave from the bench as of June 2, 2025. The Stipulation for Discipline by Consent (Stipulation) was approved by the commission on April 10, 2025, pursuant to the following terms and conditions and stipulated facts and legal conclusions. A copy of the Stipulation is attached. TERMS AND CONDITIONS OF AGREEMENT 1. This agreement resolves the matters alleged in the Inquiry Concerning Judge Michael J. Carrozzo, No. 210. 2. The commission shall issue a severe public censure and bar based on the agreed Stipulated Facts and Legal Conclusions set forth herein. 3. If the commission accepts this proposed disposition, the commission’s decision and order imposing severe public censure and bar may articulate the reasons for its decision and include explanatory language that the commission deems appropriate. 4. Upon acceptance by the commission, this Stipulation, the judge’s affidavit of consent, and the commission’s decision and order shall be made public. 5. Judge Carrozzo waives any further proceedings and review in this matter, including formal proceedings (Rules of Com. Jud. Perform. , rule 118 et seq. ) and review by the Supreme Court (Cal. Rules of Court, rule 9 .60) . 6. Pursuant to this agreement, Judge Carrozzo has agreed to irrevocably resign from his position as a judge, effective September 9, 2025. Beginning June 2, 2025, Judge Carrozzo shall use accrued vacation or other leave time and shall be absent from the bench and not preside over any judicial proceedings through September 9, 2025. Judge Carrozzo represents and warrants that he has sufficient vacation/leave time to be absent from the bench between June 2, 2025 and September 9, 2025, inclusive, and that his presiding judge will allow him to be absent during that period. 7. Judge Carrozzo also agrees that he will not seek or hold judicial office, accept a position or an assignment as a judicial officer, subordinate judicial officer, or judge pro tem with any court in the State of California, or accept a reference of work from any California state court, at any time after September 9, 2025. 8. If Judge Carrozzo attempts to serve in a judicial capacity in violation of the foregoing paragraph, the commission may withdraw the severe public censure and bar, and reinstitute formal proceedings as to all of the charges in the notice of formal proceedings. The commission may also refer the matter to the State Bar of California. 9. If Judge Carrozzo fails to resign in accordance with this agreement, the commission may withdraw the severe public censure and bar, and resume its

FAQs

What disciplinary action is imposed on Judge Michael J. Carrozzo?

The agreement and order impose a severe public censure and bar pursuant to the stated stipulation and conditions.

When does Judge Carrozzo’s resignation take effect, and what restrictions follow?

The resignation is effective September 9, 2025, and afterward the judge agrees not to seek or hold judicial office or related judicial roles or accept court-referred work in California.

What happens if Judge Carrozzo does not comply with the agreement?

The commission may withdraw the severe censure and bar and reinstitute formal proceedings and may also refer the matter to the State Bar of California.

Sep 21, 2026

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