Jackpot: Lawyers earn fees from law they wrote Nov 16, 2009
Bobb wrote on Nov 15, 2009 11:34 AM:" These businesses just close the doors and shut down. There go the jobs. SI can understand the reasoning for the Act as my wife is disabled but it is carried to extremes to enhance these lawyers. Just as the one District stated, they did not contest the suit and agreed to change their election method but they were billed $1.2 million by these attorney's---taxpayer money in this case.This is a breech of judicial ethics at it's worst. In the ADA cases it is one... (Hanford Sentinal, CA)
Allegations heat up state judicial race Oct 30, 2009
The race for Supreme Court in the 3rd Judicial District has heated up with allegations by Republicans that Kingston City Court Judge James Gilpatric, the Democratic candidate, violated judicial ethics by donating to political parties ... "The allegation is that he's been operating political committees and giving money individually for seven or eight years in violation of judicial ethics regulations," said Jeff Buley, an attorney who works with the New York State Republican Committee ...... (Albany Times Union)
Williams to fill Taylor's position on MSU regents Oct 27, 2009
He will finish the term vacated by Judge Jeff Taylor of Owensboro, who resigned in August because of an opinion from the Judicial Ethics Committee that stated it was a conflict for judges to serve on governing boards of public universities. The opinion was a reversal of a 1988 opinion that it was not a conflict. (Murray Ledger & Times, KY)
Our views: Troubling misstep Oct 22, 2009
The decision violated judicial ethics and he received an eight-minute public reprimand from the Florida Supreme Court in January, with Chief Justice Peggy A. Quince telling Maxwell he wrongly held a judicial thumb on the scales. . (Florida Today)
Former Ala. inmate: Judge sexually abused him Oct 14, 2009
Thomas, 48, once a prominent judicial figure in Mobile, spent 17 years as a judge before resigning in 2007 ahead of a judicial ethics trial involving inmate paddlings. The first witness, now 26, described how he was arrested at 18 on a lengthy list of charges, including burglary and other property crimes. (San Francisco Chronicle -- Crime)
Ex-judge in sex case called a Jekyll-Hyde Oct 10, 2009
He resigned in 2007 after some of the allegations surfaced in a judicial ethics case, including claims of paddling inmates with their pants down, but he has denied any wrongdoing. Opening statements were given after a jury of eight men and eight women was selected. (MSNBC -- Crime)
Judge accused of spanking male inmates; Awarding them reduced jail time for sex... Oct 6, 2009
Thomas stepped down from the bench in 2007 after the allegations of paddling surfaced and just ahead of a judicial ethics trial that could have forced him out of office. He was indicted on the more-serious charges this past spring by a Mobile County grand jury. (The Drudge Report)
Did Polanski's Own Appeal Lead to His Arrest? Oct 2, 2009
The California Code of Judicial Ethics forbids judges to engage in ex parte communications, or discussions where only one side of a case is represented. Wells, who retired two years ago, has now recanted what he said on film, saying he "embellished" the anecdote about speaking to Rittenband about increasing Polanski's penalty. (Time.com)
'No evidence' to support allegations of corruption against Hawaii judge Sep 23, 2009
Town declined comment on Monalim's allegations when they were first made public and he did so again today, saying through his clerk that the Code of Judicial Ethics prevented him from speaking publicly about the matter. State Judiciary spokeswoman Marsha Kitagawa also said her office had no comment on Kubo's statement. (Honolulu Advertiser)
Disgruntled ex- deputy seeks judge's dismissal Sep 17, 2009
Evans said that as of last Friday, he had not received anything from the judicial ethics committee, either in the form of a written correspondence, served notice or telephone call. Regarding Hernandez' claim that his freedom of speech was squelched, Evans said he discussed only the rules of decorum with him before his May 14 commissioner's court public forum speech. (Bandera Bulletin, TX)
I-Team: Former Federal Judge Enters Governor's Race Sep 17, 2009
Judicial ethics prevented Brian Sandoval from engaging in political activity while on the bench, so he's quick to point out he has yet to develop a focused platform. That said, Sandoval felt "duty bound" to enter the race, even though it meant the sacrifice of a lifetime appointment. (KLAS-TV.com, NV)
Case Reversed by US Justices Back at WVa Court Sep 9, 2009
In a case that led to a U.S. Supreme Court ruling on judicial ethics, Massey Energy Co. asked West Virginia's top court on Tuesday to stick with earlier conclusions absolving it of a multimillion-dollar judgment. For the third time in nearly two years, state justices heard the Richmond, Va. (ABC News -- Wire)
Ticket-Fixing Charge Dropped Against N.J. Judge Sep 5, 2009
Municipal court judges undergo expanded training on professionalism and judicial ethics during their annual fall conference; and. Court administrators undergo expanded training on the Code of Conduct for Judiciary Employees and on traffic ticket dismissal procedures. (Law.com)
Whitworth Completes Judicial Academy Sep 2, 2009
The courses, which were taught by current and former Tennessee judges, covered a wide range of topics such as case management, evidence, search warrants, workplace harassment, judicial ethics, technology in the courtroom and courtroom security. The Judicial Academy also offered courses specific to trial and general sessions judges. (Camden Chronicle, TN)
Nominations accepted for MSU Regents Aug 21, 2009
Taylor turned in his letter of resignation last Friday after it became apparent that the Kentucky Supreme Court would not soon meet his request to review a recent opinion by the state's Judicial Ethics Committee. The opinion reversed a 21-year-old opinion stating that it was not a conflict of interest for sitting judges to serve on universities' governing boards. (Murray Ledger & Times, KY)
Taylor speaks about board service after resigning as regent Aug 20, 2009
Taylor has served on the board since 2006, but Kentucky's Judicial Ethics Committee in April reversed a long-standing opinion stating that it was not a conflict for judges to serve on university governing boards as long as they refrained from giving legal advice. The new opinion, known as JE-117, reversed JE-64, which had been held since 1988. (Murray Ledger & Times, KY)
Judge faces complaint for presiding over kin's hearing Aug 15, 2009
The ACJC accused Council of a violation of the canons of judicial ethics and engaging in conduct "prejudicial to the administration of justice that brings the judicial office into disrepute.". Neither Council nor Mercer County Assignment Judge Linda R. Feinberg would comment for this article. (NJ.com -- Times)
Supreme Court Argument Cycle Dominated by Veterans Aug 11, 2009
The two lawyers fielded such issues as judicial ethics, campaign finance, pre-emption, arbitration, age discrimination, Native American affairs and sovereign immunity. Phillips, Goldstein and others noted that Supreme Court practitioners broke into representation of business interests in environmental cases this term. (Law.com)
Readers Write 8/06 Aug 6, 2009
And in both elective and appointment systems, strong, effective codes of judicial ethics with meaningful disqualification rules are important. The arms-race spending in modern judicial campaigns and the increased expenditures by special interests pose serious questions for real judicial independence. (Atlanta Journal-Constitution -- Opinion)
Court issues decision on Judge Wiggins Jul 31, 2009
Wiggins was found guilty of violating numerous Canons of Judicial Ethics, was censured and suspended from the court without pay for 90 days. However, since Wiggins had been barred from the court for 90 days with pay back in May, he'll be reinstated to service on Monday, August 3. (WSJA.com, AL)
Ginsburg's Support for Sotomayor Jul 13, 2009
But Ginsburg s defense of Sotomayor is a problem in and of itself: It s not just uncouth but inappropriate and inconsistent with the code of judicial ethics for a sitting Supreme Court justice to defend or attack a nominee. The screening process is not the responsibility of the justices, but rather of the legislature. (Human Events Online)
Sotomayor Hearing Revives Old Battle Jul 11, 2009
This battle triggers repeated complaints that the hearings are meaningless or useless because nominees and their supporters on the Senate Judiciary Committee use the shield of judicial ethics to fend off substantive questions by other senators. "This fight about what questions are appropriate to ask has been going on since the hearings began," said Lori Ringhand of the. (Law.com)
9th Circuit's Kozinski Admonished but Not Disciplined for Online Pornography Jul 3, 2009
Holscher submitted letters from five leading experts on judicial ethics, including law professors Stephen Gillers of New York University and Monroe H. Freedman of Hofstra, who opined that Kozinski had broken no laws and hadn't violated any rules of judicial conduct. . (Law.com)
Full Story » Jul 1, 2009
Supreme Court decisions made in the 2008-09 term - Yahoo. Search Type Choose a search type from the items below. (Yahoo News -- Politics)
Tight budget only latest challenge for new chief justice Jul 1, 2009
After the verdict was handed down, the judge, the late Clyde Henley, scolded jurors by reciting the newly acquitted defendant s rap sheet of prior convictions a violation of judicial ethics. From then on, whenever Hunstein appeared in Henley s courtroom he ruled against her, she said. (Atlanta Journal-Constitution -- Metro)
Campaign funds, civil rights still on agenda Jul 1, 2009
In a dispute over judicial ethics, the issue was whether the Constitution requires a judge to step aside from a case when one party has contributed significantly to his election. In a DNA case, a convict was seeking the right to test evidence that would conclusively demonstrate his guilt or innocence. (MSNBC -- Politics)
Clark, Thomas & Winters Agrees to Pay Millions to Former Client Jun 27, 2009
Houston solo Lillian Hardwick, a co-author of the "Handbook of Texas Lawyer and Judicial Ethics," often serves as an expert witness for lawyer-defendants or clients who sue them. She says that Clark Thomas did the right thing in settling with the PEC after a mediation. (Law.com)
Law firms may provide clerks for courts Jun 22, 2009
I would think there would not only be an issue for the judge who hired the law clerk under the Code of Judicial Ethics, but an issue for the lawyer who accepted the appointment under the rules of professional conduct for lawyers, said Andrew L. Kaufman, vice dean for academic programming at Harvard Law School and chairman of the Massachusetts Bar Association s ethics panel ... According to the Committee on Judicial Ethics of the Supreme Judicial Court, Mulligan received several inquiries from... (Boston Globe)
Bob Schmidt: Are our offices open to the highest bidder? Jun 21, 2009
You would think something this extreme about judicial ethics would transcend ideology. The threat to our democracy is that the extremists put ideology over what is best for the vast majority of this country s citizens and they value preserving corporate interests over the interests of the people. (La Crosse Tribune, WI)
Sotomayor quits all-women's club Jun 20, 2009
Jeff Sessions of Alabama, the federal appeals court judge says she is convinced the club does not practice "invidious discrimination" and that her membership in it did not violate judicial ethics. advertisement. (Huntington WSAZ-TV, WV)
Exec Council confirms Conboy to NH Supreme Court Jun 18, 2009
Conboy has also served as chair of the New Hampshire Supreme Court Advisory Committee on Judicial Ethics, and the New Hampshire Superior Court Sentence Review Board. Conboy also serves as a member of the Franklin Pierce Law Center Board of Trustees. (Concord Monitor)
Ark. panel calls for judge's removal Jun 2, 2009
These allegations alone require this three-member panel to find unanimously that Judge Willard Proctor Jr. should be removed from the bench," the panel wrote. The recommendation now goes before the full judicial commission, which will then make a recommendation to the state Supreme Court.Austin Porter, Proctor's attorney, did not have an immediate comment about the ruling.The panel also found that Proctor helped run Cycle Breakers while it had business before his court and that he put Cycle... (Pine Bluff Commercial, AR)
Ark. panel urges judge removed for probation issue Jun 2, 2009
-- An Arkansas judge should be kicked off the bench for operating a probation program that handled thousands of dollars collected from people found guilty in his court and for an improper relationship with a defendant, a judicial ethics panel said Monday. Circuit Judge Willard Proctor violated multiple judicial rules through his work with the Cycle Breakers probation program, said the three-member panel of the Arkansas Judicial Discipline and Disability Commission. (Fresno Bee -- Nation)
Lynch to nominate Conboy for NH Supreme Court Jun 2, 2009
She also has served as chairwoman of the New Hampshire Supreme Court Advisory Committee on Judicial Ethics, and of the New Hampshire Superior Court Sentence Review Board. Conboy also serves as a member of the Franklin Pierce Law Center Board of Trustees. (Concord Monitor)
House Task Force to Hold Hearing on Impeachment of Federal Judge May 30, 2009
Lillian Hardwick, a solo practitioner in Houston who does consulting on judicial ethics, says the judicial discipline system -- on the state or federal level -- can't work unless victims file complaints with the proper authorities. "Quite frankly, any kind of reporting authority cannot do anything until people come forward," she says, adding that "it's great there is publicity out there" about Kent because it may prompt others with complaints about judges to file them. (Law.com)
Supreme Court faces busy finish, and Souter retirement May 17, 2009
Before they begin their lengthy summer break, the justices also must decide cases concerning judicial ethics, the rights of convicts to test genetic evidence, and a strip search of a student who was thought to be hiding the equivalent of prescription-strength Advil. The court's work will be done against the backdrop of Souter's retirement, announced May 1, and President Obama's nomination of a successor. (Boston Globe)
Hoggatt eyes a higher court May 6, 2009
He also served on the statewide Judicial Ethics Advisory Committee from 2002 to 2008, the Committee of Judicial Education and Training from 2003 to 2008, the Arizona Judges Association from 2004 to 2005, and the Arizona Supreme Court task force on code of judicial conduct since 2007. County officials said they would be both happy and sad if Hoggatt were chosen for the state court position. (Sierra Vista Herald, AZ)
Will feds pursue Stevens on fisheries? Apr 19, 2009
And Judge Emmet Sullivan struck a blow for judicial ethics in ordering a criminal investigation into the appalling conduct of the federal prosecution team. Story tools. (Anchorage Daily News)
Judge Mary Hotard Becnel Apr 7, 2009
Judicial ethics require that a judge at all times maintain the appearance of impartiality, for the purpose of public confidence. I defer to the legislature to make laws, and as a judge I interpret and apply the law to the facts of a case. (L Observateur, LA)
Judicial watchdog agency in peril Apr 5, 2009
State law requires the commission to keep complaints and investigations confidential, but judicial commission members said accusations pending against judges involve ignorance of the law, significant breaches of judicial ethics and corrupt use of public money ... Judges who communicated with the parties in the case outside of court, which violates judicial ethics. (Atlanta Journal-Constitution)
Pressler attends JP certification seminar (11) Mar 22, 2009
The seminar addressed topics such as courtroom security, judicial ethics, evictions, staged animal fighting and animal seizure procedure, dealing with difficult people, credit card cases and jurisdictional increase. Article Rating. (Boerne Star, TX)
US Judges revise policy to avoid ethical conflicts Mar 18, 2009
Two federal judges, for example, remain on the board of a corporate-funded group that provides free seminars and trips to judges even after a third judge quit on the recommendation of a judicial ethics panel. The two judges, Chief Judge Danny J. Boggs of the 6th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in Cincinnati and Judge Edith Clement of the 5th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in New Orleans, sit on the board of the Montana-based Foundation for Research on Economics and the Environment, according to the... (Yahoo News -- Politics)
Take the sleaze out of judicial elections Mar 11, 2009
However the U.S. Supreme Court decides the issue, the Caperton case highlights the hypocrisy of judicial ethics. State ethical rules, including California's, obsessively admonish judges to avoid conduct that gives even the appearance of a conflict of interest. (San Francisco Chronicle -- Opinion)
Justice Stevens Holds On to Key Role at High Court Mar 10, 2009
But Stevens has another personal connection to the judicial ethics issue. Before he became a justice in 1975, Stevens came to public prominence in Illinois as chief counsel to a commission that investigated alleged improprieties on the Illinois Supreme Court. (Law.com)
Pali suspect sought control of gambling Mar 8, 2009
Town has declined comment, saying through his law clerk that the Code of Judicial Ethics prevented him from speaking publicly about the matter. No charges were ever brought against Town. (Honolulu Advertiser)
FBI probed judge in Pali trial Mar 7, 2009
He said through his law clerk that the state Code of Judicial Ethics prevented him from commenting. Town presided over the murder case of Motta, Joseph and Kevin "Pancho" Gonsalves when it was being actively prosecuted in state court from 2004 to 2006. (Honolulu Advertiser)
High court to decide when judges should step aside Mar 3, 2009
WASHINGTON (AP) - The Supreme Court is set to hear arguments in a sensitive dispute about judicial ethics. The justices are expected to issue at least one ruling Tuesday morning, then consider a West Virginia case about when elected judges should step aside from cases that involve their campaign supporters. (WCAX.com, VT)
Much-Watched Judicial Recusal Case Reaches Supreme Court Feb 28, 2009
This week, the justices will hear arguments involving judicial recusal precedents, some nearly a century old, in the modern context of campaign contributions in judicial elections -- one of the hottest judicial ethics controversies today ... Judicial ethics scholar Charles Gardner Geyh of Indiana University Maurer School of Law-Bloomington agreed the case was "easy" and that Benjamin should have recused himself if the appearance of bias were the standard. (Law.com)
Judge warns runaway she'll end up a 'toothless, dead crack whore' Feb 28, 2009
Experts in judicial ethics said the judges remarks were inappropriate, even if he was trying to scare the teen into making better choices. Bob Jarvis, a professor of legal and judicial ethics at Nova Southeastern Universitys law school, said a judge who sits up on a pedestal in an intimidating black robe can do real psychological harm to a child in court. (The Pantagraph newspaper)
Judge Cutler to hang up robe Feb 8, 2009
" Can't make any sense of her rulings. She is the worst of the worst and yes, she set a standard -- passing a school bus with lights flashing (while unloading our children), running stop signs -- check it out on Court View, the site that posts civil and criminal cases. You'll find her there. Shameful! 32 years on the bench was 32 years too long. Shame on the Supremes and the Judicial Ethics Committee for letting that monster rein terror 32 yrs. ". DH wrote on Feb 4, 2009 5:36 PM:" Thank you... (Wasilla Frontiersman, AK)
