Santa Cruz County Judge William Kelsay set the next hearing for Dec. 15. Kelsay is hearing the criminal case in a Santa Clara County civil courtroom because judges in the criminal courthouse recused themselves from presiding over a case involving one of their colleagues.

The state's Commission on Judicial Performance began looking into Danser's conduct after the judge attempted to get the Los Gatos­Monte Sereno Police Department to dismiss parking citations issued to his son by writing a letter on judicial letterhead earlier this year. That set off a series of allegations that Danser had used his position to fix tickets or perform other favors for acquaintances.

"He didn't do anything wrong. That's why he entered a plea of not guilty," said Danser's attorney, Ken Robinson, after last week's arraignment. "He had every single right to do what he did."

Charged with aiding and abetting in some of these alleged incidents is Bishop, who reportedly left the Los Gatos police force this summer to move to Canada for family reasons.

Craig Brown, Bishop's attorney, said he believes prosecutors are using Bishop to make their case against Danser. It's not unheard of for police officers to submit paperwork to judges, Brown said, and other officers besides Bishop would also have agreed to meet with a judge who showed a willingness to talk.

"People don't understand that is part of the standard process," Brown said, adding that this does not constitute favoritism.

Robinson, too, maintains his client did nothing illegal, adding that because Danser was the type of public servant to go out of his way to serve justice, his supporters have started a defense fund.

As the case continues, Danser has been suspended from serving on the bench and is also taking the time to focus on the health of his wife, Superior Court Judge Catherine Gallagher, who is undergoing cancer therapy, Robinson said.