A California court said Thursday that a judge who was criticized for ordering a lenient six-month jail sentence in a rape case against a former Stanford University swimmer will no longer hear criminal matters by his own request.
Santa Clara County Presiding Judge Rise Pichon said she has granted the request of Judge Aaron Persky.
“While I firmly believe in Judge Persky’s ability to serve in his current assignment, he has requested to be assigned to the civil division, in which he previously served,” Pichon said in a statement. “Judge Persky believes the change will aid the public and the court by reducing the distractions that threaten to interfere with his ability to effectively discharge the duties of his current criminal assignment.”
The move is not necessarily permanent. The assignment is subject to an annual review and takes effect Sept. 6.
