Judge again faces discipline by commission

King County District Court Judge Judith Eiler, who now serves in Issaquah, for the second time is facing discipline by the Commission on Judicial Conduct.

The commission, an independent regulatory agency, announced it would begin investigating charges that Eiler had once again been impatient, undignified and demeaning to pro se litigants and attorneys in her courtroom, according to a statement released Friday afternoon.

In 2004, Eiler, who was elected to the bench in Federal Way, was first criticized for similar behavior when she addressed litigants in an "angry, condescending or demeaning" tone.

She was ordered to undergo behavior therapy with an emphasis on sensitivity training.

At the time, the commission found that "by intimidating and demeaning pro se litigants, she abused the authority of her judicial position and undermined the public confidence and respect for the courts."

Eiler started working as a judge in Federal Way in 1992.

She often heard 100 cases in the morning and 100 in the afternoon until the Federal Way Division closed.

Then she joined the South Division -- Burien, Renton, Kent, Enumclaw and Federal Way -- and later became judge for the Issaquah division.

She's served on the executive committee for the statewide District and Municipal Court Judges Association and on civic committees throughout Federal Way.

She could not be reached Friday for comment on the latest charges.

If she is found to have violated the judicial code, the new charges could result in penalties ranging from admonishment to removal from the bench.

Nancy Bartley: 206-464-8522 or nbartley@seattletimes.com