Judge Arrested

Solano County judge arrested in Vallejo
The Times-Herald by Tony Burchyns and Irma Widjojo  -  April 12, 2011

Solano County Superior Court Judge Robert S. Bowers was arrested early Monday morning in Vallejo on suspicion of domestic violence. The Vallejo Police Department received the complaint from Bowers' wife at about 11 p.m. Sunday, police Sgt. Jeff Bassett said. Police arrested Bowers while he was in his vehicle in Vallejo about two hours later, Bassett said. Bassett, however, declined to divulge anymore details of the arrest. "It's just an allegation that he denies at this point," Bassett said. "There was physical evidence that corroborated with his wife's statement." There was "minor, but visible injury" on Bower's wife, Bassett added. Bowers denied the allegations through his attorney on Monday."Judge Bowers is completely innocent of the charge," attorney Dan Russo said. "The Vallejo police should be ashamed of themselves. They arrested someone on a completely specious, untrue accusation." Russo said Bowers cooperated with police, waived his Miranda rights and gave names of witnesses who could back up his version of events. "Normally it's dangerous for a defense attorney to say this, but I categorically deny that Bowers had any contact with his wife," said Russo, who's representing Bowers along with his partner, Amy Morton.  "When everything comes out he will be completely vindicated," Russo added. "But I think the damage (to his reputation) has already been done." Bowers, 51, was booked into Solano County Jail at 3:22 a.m., but posted $25,000 bail at 3:55 a.m., according to the jail booking log. On Monday, Bowers was present at the Vallejo courthouse, but he spent much of the day in chambers. His calendar in Dept. 15 was assigned to retired Superior Court Judge James Moelk. Court officials, when asked questions about when Moelk was assigned to Bowers' courtroom and how long he would be assigned, refused to say anything more than "no comment." Meanwhile, Moelk could inherit a homicide trial scheduled to begin in Bowers' courtroom this week. A pretrial hearing was postponed Monday.His court date is set for May 2, at 8:30 a.m. in Vallejo. A former defense attorney and deputy district attorney, Bowers was elevated to the Superior Court bench in 2003 by then-Gov. Gray Davis.  On Monday afternoon, Solano County District Attorney Donald du Bain said he is consulting with the state attorney general's office as to whether there would be a conflict of interest for his office to be involved in the case. "We are aware of the arrest and we are in the process of determining who should be reviewing the information," du Bain said. He would not comment as to whether Bowers should remain on the bench while any potential charges are pending. "Judge Bowers knows what his ethical and legal obligations are as a judge," du Bain said. "I am sure he will make the appropriate decision."