Private Reprimand and Order of Additional Education of a Justice of the Peace. (12/10/10)
12/10/2010
The judge failed to comply with the law and demonstrated a lack of professional competence in the law by: (1) denying Complainant his due process rights to a hearing regarding a permit violation charge when she failed and/or refused to provide Complainant with the opportunity to enter a "not guilty" plea to the charge and/or have a trial in the matter; (2) adjudicating Complainant's guilt and assessing a fine in his absence without notice and without setting a court date; and (3) threatening Complainant with arrest if he did not pay the fine when he appeared in court. The judge also acted improperly when she shredded documents in violation of the minimum records retention schedule established by the Texas State Library and Archives Commission. [Violation of Canons 2A, 3B(2) and 3B(8) of the Texas Code of Judicial Conduct.] Private Reprimand and Order of Additional Education of a Justice of the Peace. (12/10/10).
