Judicial Branch Certification Commission approves two-year revocation, multiple disciplinary orders

The Judicial Branch Certification Commission on May 2, 2025 approved an agreed settlement that revokes court reporter Michelle Young’s certification for two years and adopted several other agreed final orders and sanctions for licensees.

The settlement in the matter of Michelle Young replaces a staff proposal for permanent revocation. Bina Mohan, the commission’s prosecuting attorney, told commissioners the negotiated resolution would “send a strong message, protect the public, and maintain the integrity of the profession,” while offering remediation: a two-year revocation, required coursework in time management and organization, a requirement that Young appear before the commission to show cause before any reinstatement, and retaking the court-reporter examination.

Commission staff told the panel that most of Young’s violations occurred during a period when she was “overwhelmed with personal problems.” Young told the commission she had been caring for her ill father and acknowledged making mistakes on filing appellate records. “I did agree [to time-management coursework] because that is an area where I struggle,” she said.

Investigator Amy Smith reported the staff’s review narrowed outstanding appellate records for Young to approximately 11 cases with 8 filed and 3 remaining pending; staff identified one record due April 28, 2025 (Bell) that had not been filed, one with an extension filed April 30, 2025 (Garcia Catalan) not yet approved by the appellate court, and one with an extension granted and a due date of May 5, 2025 (Almeda).

A motion to accept the agreed settlement was made, seconded, and approved by voice vote. Chair Judge Sid Harrell said he planned to sign the final order the same day.

Commissioners also adopted several other agreed final orders and sanctions during the meeting. In the matter of Janet Wright (cause no. 0653), staff reported the respondent had been about 95 days late filing a record and recommended a reprimand and a $1,200 fine due within 12 months; the commission approved the committee’s recommendation after a brief comment from the complainant. The commission approved an agreed disposition in the case of Eduardo Aguirre (cause no. 0631) involving a false-return allegation; the committee recommended a reprimand and a probated suspension (three months probated suspension was noted in committee materials) after finding mitigating circumstances including weather and no prior violations.

The commission ratified administrative dismissals in a block vote, affirmed recommended settlement agreements in three additional matters, and scheduled a contested hearing in early June for the remaining contested item that had been continued.

The actions taken at the meeting were motions and voice votes recorded on the public record; commissioners moved and seconded the settlements and orders, and the chair announced “motion carries” on the approved items.

The commission excused Michelle Young after the vote and confirmed she would receive a copy of the final order.

The commission’s actions were procedural and disciplinary: they applied sanctions, ordered remediation and retesting where stipulated, and ratified dismissals where staff recommended administrative closure.