"The Robing Room: CA State Judges

Hon. Huey P. Cotton, Jr.	See Rating Details
Judge Superior Court
Los Angeles County	See Comments

Attorney Average Rating: 6.4 - 16 rating(s) Non-Attorney Average Rating: 1.0 - 4 rating(s)	Please send me alerts on this judge E-mail Address:

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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

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What others have said about Hon. Huey P. Cotton, Jr.

Comments

Litigant

Comment #: CA54614
Rating:1.0

Comments:
An absolute disappointment on the bench, lazy, biased, basically cut and pasted whatever the prosecution said, had no interest in hearing the defense facts.

Litigant

Comment #: CA54282
Rating:1.0

Comments:
One horrible experiences dealing with this man. Overtly Biased against Pro Ses, and possibly other biases. Failure to follow the law, relying on his own personal (biased) opinions and citing bad case-law in support of his decisions. He should be removed from the bench. The Law, Justice, and the Constitutions be damned in the courtroom where this man sits.

Civil Litigation - Private

Comment #: CA52145
Rating:8.9

Comments:
You will rarely find a judge as good as Huey Cotton. He is diligent and thorough. He has a wealth of background knowledge and exceptional intelligence. He is a patient listener. He has that rare mix of contemplative intelligence and decisiveness that makes an excellent bench officer. I would take any case in front of him on either side, knowing my client of any stripe would get fair and thoughtful treatment.

Litigant

Comment #: CA47522
Rating:Not Rated
Comments:
Huey is remarkably unorganized and possesses a rudimentary comprehension of the vast majority of his cases. It seems that they relies on hearings exclusively as a means of familiarizing themselves with cases that have been ongoing for a period exceeding two years. He displays clear and unambiguous indications of racial bias. Despite possessing impressive oratorical abilities, including an engaging and relatable demeanor, it's solely to mask his profound incompetence.

Civil Litigation - Private

Comment #: CA46558
Rating:1.0

Comments:
Regrettably, the judge's reputation is aligned with negative side of the comments here. Although I have had the opportunity of conversing with Judge Cotton on various occasions outside of the courtroom, during my time in his courtroom, I have observed behavior that is nothing like the person he presents himself to be. I have heard him speak to others in a manner that made me uncomfortable, and when it was my turn to present at the hearing, I was dismayed to hear him make inaccurate statements and take things out of context. When I attempted to clarify a point, he became confrontational and aggressive. Sadly, this was not an isolated incident, and my experience in his courtroom has led me to believe that he is not the best choice to preside over more complex cases. It is advisable to proceed with caution and anticipate a judge who may not be well-versed in your case to make rulings on it.

Criminal Defense Lawyer

Comment #: CA45421
Rating:1.0

Comments:
Today, Huey smirked at me and stated that I was requesting special treatment and that my remarks were dramatic. This is liberal jargon for "White Privilege," which is a shocking admission from a judge. In reality, it was nothing other than racism. Privilege for a man enduring what I have endured and continue to endure? It is ludicrous. I disproved his assertions that I did nothing to advance the case/trial, which he made on multiple occasions. This demonstrates inherent bias against me, as do his dismissal sanctions in the case described below. As a means of rectifying his unjust and ludicrous actions in 22STCV00712, which is not before an appellate court, he sanctioned me $2500 for claiming I didn't do something I did. He learned from his error, but when I mentioned I had no means to pay for sanctions, he immediately attempted to dismiss the current before his today by claiming he had resorted to lesser means. This was crucial evidence of his bias and prior decision in 22STCV00712. He attempted to dismiss this case until I abruptly interrupted him and repeated what I had stated not what he wrongfully claimed I said. Cases should be heard on the merits of the case and in spite of his prejudice and lack of understanding what has been done and filed in this case, nothing I have done would warrant this case not being heard. The perversion of our justice system is on full display and my reason for posting this it my sincere hope it helps someone out someday. Sincerely, Christopher T. Barone 1-23-2023

Civil Litigation - Private

Comment #: CA45052
Rating:1.0

Comments:
Huey is one of those judges that is lazy and expects the law firms and bar associations to do his work for him. [Redacted by Ed.] San Fernando Valley Bar Association and it's "President's Circle" along with but less so the LACBA and their surrogates. This guy orders a judgement for terminating sanctions against me (pro se) for not following an order for sanctions I wasn't served. I notified the court of 4 weeks I would be unavailable so after I sent that the court held hearings 22STCV00712. Apparently once of those was for sanction. besides the sheer stupidy of sanctioning a pro se he fails to read the court documents filed by the defendants. Honestly, Huey is a judge influenced totally by the San Fernando Valley Bar Association and others. Those of you reading this far know how ignorant terminating sanctions are to a pro se without a single hearing or warning or use of lesser means. 170.6 this guy right away. Sincerely, Christopher T. Barone

Litigant

Comment #: CA36844
Rating:1.0

Comments:
A terrible Judge who practices upside-down logic and is anti common sense. Does not interpret clear cut law. Agrees that a legally binding contract has been breached but goes ahead and enforces it anyways. An unjust and a quite rude individual.

Civil Litigation - Private

Comment #: CA36830
Rating:3.4

Comments:
He's a pleasant enough fellow, but he lacks the intellectual ability to follow nuanced arguments. Even worse, he doesn't understand the difference between interpreting the law and making up his own law.

We'll 170.6 him from now on in any case that involves anything other than basic legal principles.

Civil Litigation - Private

Comment #: CA34957
Rating:9.6

Comments:
He listens to the facts yet he usually has his mind made up before the hearing. He doesn't like bickering or arguments over trivial matters. He is a straight shooter and cuts to the chase. Overall one of the best judges on the bench!

Litigant

Comment #: CA31159
Rating:1.0

Comments:
I complained to Judge Huey Cotton about Commissioner Marilyn Mordetzky that she took evidence without me looking it over, so proper discovery could not be made. He claimed that she was being fair and non-biased.

Civil Litigation - Private

Comment #: CA16825
Rating:9.1

Comments:
It's been a couple of years since I was before him, but I thought he was one of the best judges in the system. Fair, even-tempered, read everything, not subject to manipulation and was courteous to counsel. Terrific judge.

Civil Litigation - Private

Comment #: CA14370
Rating:9.4

Comments:
Great judicial temperament. Patient until you get into a jury trial and then he rushes the case along. His decisions are even handed and well thought out. He reads and understands the papers. One of the best in Los Angeles County.

Civil Litigation - Private

Comment #: CA14294
Rating:9.1

Comments:
Experienced and wise and fair in his rulings. Very pleasant person.

Civil Litigation - Private

Comment #: CA13295
Rating:Not Rated
Comments:
Judge Cotton is currently my favorite Judge. I find him to be fair and courteous. He avoids drama so try not to state any. Stick to the facts He is also kind when it comes to sorrowful situations. Other Judges should learn from him.

Civil Litigation - Private

Comment #: CA10930
Rating:3.0

Comments:
NOT a deep thinker. Avoids/ignores facts, issues and subtleties (even when highlighted) that undermine where he wants to go. Appears to take the safest road if there is one. Rarely will deviate from his tentative ruling, which I found written to justify an outcome rather than explain an objective analysis.

Civil Litigation - Private

Comment #: CA10800
Rating:8.9

Comments:
Excellent judge. Good sense of humor. Easy going. Good with juries. Pretty smart but sometimes flip flops when making decisions during trial. Best to be the last person he hears before he decides.

Civil Litigation - Private

Comment #: CA10708
Rating:10.0

Comments:
Great Judge. Very qualified. He is the fairest judge that I have ever been before.

I wish other judges would learn from him.

Criminal Defense Lawyer

Comment #: CA9923
Rating:8.6

Comments:
This judge surprised me. At first I thought he was cool. Then I thought he was mean and short. Then at trial he had clearly read the briefs and took detailed notes, was flexible in admitting evidence, and wrote a great opinion that captured intelligent points about the case. Very impressive overall.

Civil Litigation - Private

Comment #: CA8412
Rating:9.3

Comments:
He could hear all my cases whether I am representing a plaintiff or defendant. He is smart, courteous and decisive and makes the right calls.

Civil Litigation - Private

Comment #: CA7903
Rating:7.7

Comments:
Look in the dictionary for the definition of "cool" and you'll find a picture of Judge Cotton. While he's always late, he runs his courtroom efficiently and evenhandedly. During trial he often rules based on the last lawyer who argues before him; he may flip flop, but once he decides he stops discussion. Setting that aside, he's an excellent trial judge with a good sense of self and sense of humor.

Civil Litigation - Private

Comment #: CA7464
Rating:Not Rated
Comments:
Good judge. Knowledge of the law and good judge of witness character. He could be the judge on all my cases.

Civil Litigation - Private

Comment #: CA4254
Rating:1.7

Comments:
He is very incompetent. He does not know and understand basic concepts of law. His writing skills are very poor. He is unfit as a judge.