- The California Commission on Judicial Performance publicly admonished a judge for (1) participating in a Facebook group called “Recall George Gascón,” referring to the county district attorney, and (2) posting tweets, re-tweeting content, and liking tweets by other users that contained partisan viewpoints on controversial issues, suggested bias against particular classes of people, and were “undignified and indecorous.” In the Matter Concerning O’Gara, Decision and order imposing public admonishment (California Commission on Judicial Performance September 14, 2021).
- Adopting the findings and recommendation of the Commission on Judicial Performance based on a stipulation, the Mississippi Supreme Court publicly reprimanded a judge and fined him $2,500 for making appearances or filing motions in 9 cases more than 6 months after assuming office. Commission on Judicial Performance v. Watts (Mississippi Supreme Court September 9, 2021).
- Adopting the findings and recommendation of the Advisory Committee on Judicial Conduct, the New Jersey Supreme Court suspended a judge without pay for 1 month for making sexist and misogynistic comments that reflected his religious beliefs to a male defendant charged with domestic violence. In the Matter of Brister, Order (New Jersey Supreme Court September 16, 2021).
- Based on the judge’s agreement, the Tennessee Board of Judicial Conduct suspended a judge for 30 days with pay for undignified and discourteous comments made in 2 cases on the same day; the judge was also ordered to complete a judicial ethics program addressing demeanor from the bench. In re Hinson, Order of suspension (Tennessee Board of Judicial Conduct September 7, 2021).
- The Texas State Commission on Judicial Conduct publicly admonished an appellate justice for, after a jury found a defendant guilty of murdering a little girl in a trial over which the judge had presided while still a trial judge, telling the defendant that he “should die in a locked closet.” Public Admonition of Burns (Texas State Commission on Judicial Conduct August 19, 2021), appealed to a Special Court of Review.
- Based on the judge’s consent, a settlement agreement, and a stipulated formal complaint, the Vermont Judicial Conduct Board publicly reprimanded a judge for using her position as assistant judge to approve and receive a $2,000 merit bonus, creating the appearance of impropriety. In re Ramsey, Stipulated public reprimand with order (Vermont Judicial Conduct Board August 21, 2021).
-
Follow
Following
Already have a WordPress.com account? Log in now.
Judicial ethics and discipline 