"The Robing Room: CA State Judges

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Only items marked with (*) are averaged into the displayed overall rating.

General Rating Criteria

* Temperament		(1=Awful,10=Excellent)
* Scholarship		(1=Awful,10=Excellent)
* Industriousness		(1=Not at all industrious,10=Highly industrious)
* Ability to Handle Complex Litigation		(1=Awful,10=Excellent)
* Punctuality		(1=Chronically Late,10=Always on Time)
* General Ability to Handle Pre-Trial Matters		(1=Not all Able, 10=Extremely Able)
* General Ability as a Trial Judge		(1=Not all Able, 10=Extremely Able)
Flexibility In Scheduling		(1=Completely Inflexible,10=Very Flexible)

Criminal Rating Criteria (if applicable)

* Evenhandedness in Criminal Litigation		(1=Demonstrates Bias,10=Entirely Evenhanded)
General Inclination Regarding Bail		(1=Pro-Defense,10=Pro-Government)
Involvement in Plea Discussions		(1=Not at all Involved, 10=Very Involved)
General Inclination in Criminal Cases Pretrial Stage		(1=Pro-prosecution,10=Pro-defense)
General Inclination in Criminal Cases Trial Stage		(1=Pro-prosecution,10=Pro-defense)
General Inclination in Criminal Cases Sentencing Stage		(1=Pro-prosecution,10=Pro-defense)

Civil Rating Criteria (if applicable)

* Evenhandedness in Civil Litigation		(1=Not at all Evenhanded,10=Entirely Evenhanded)
Involvement in Settlement Discussions		(1=Not at all Involved,10=Very Involved)
General Inclination		(1=Pro-defendant, 10=Pro-plaintiff)

Comments

What others have said about Hon. Coleman A. Swart

Comments

Litigant

Comment #: CA572
Rating:1.0

Comments:
I have been in Judge Swart's court many times, both as an observer and as a litigant. Judge Swart brings new meaning to the terms "drunk with power", "Old Boy network", "lack of Judicial temperment". I have seen and heard him declare that he has not read motions not taken argument and then rule on them. He looks down at Lawyers and tells them he will not be finding based upon the law, but on what he believes is "equitable". I have seen cases where folks were legally right, but they lost because judge Swart didn't happen to like the law or that side of the case. his rulings tend to be incomplete. Even when matters are stayed on appeal, Judge Swart will continue hearings, motions and his prejudicial actions. If you are not rich and well connected you should avoid at all costs.