Private Order of Additional Education of a Municipal Court Judge. (02/15/11)
02/15/2011
The judge failed to follow the law and demonstrated a lack of professional competence in the law by: (a) failing to issue an adequate show cause order specifying the underlying contemptuous act of which Complainant was accused; (b) failing to ensure that Complainant was personally served with a copy of the order to show cause; (c) treating Complainant's contempt proceeding in a matter suggesting that Complainant had been accused of a criminal offense; (d) entering an order adjudging Complainant in contempt of court and setting a fine in his case prior to the hearing; (e) setting Complainant's fine in an amount in excess of the $100.00 limit provided in section 21.002(c) of the Texas Government Code. The judge further engaged in an improper ex parte communication with the prosecutor; dismissed the Complainant's case without first receiving a written motion from prosecutor; and failed to enter a final written order or judgment in Complainant's case. [Violation of Canons 2A, 3B(2), and 6C(2) of the Texas Code of Judicial Conduct.] Private Order of Additional Education of a Municipal Court Judge. (02/15/11).
