Private Warning and Order of Additional Education of a Municipal Judge. (02/28/08)
02/28/2008
While presiding over a case against a defendant charged with violating a city ordinance, the judge violated several procedures, including, but not limited to, (a) closing the proceedings to the public; (b) failing to take the defendant's plea; (c) conducting a criminal proceeding without a prosecutor; (d) reconvening the hearing at the defendant's property to observe a compliance inspection; (e) engaging in improper ex parte communications; and (f) ordering the arrest of the defendant and a friend without having sufficient probable cause. [Violation of Canons 2A, 3B(2), and 6C(2) of the Texas Code of Judicial Conduct.] Private Warning and Order of Additional Education of a Municipal Judge. (02/28/08)
