Private Admonition and Order of Additional Education of a Justice of the Peace. (01/03/12).
The judge failed to maintain professional competence in the law when he: (1) dismissed a criminal complaint without a motion from the prosecutor based on a belief that the "complaint was weak;" and (2) set a personal recognizance bond in violation of Section 17.02 of the Texas Code of Criminal Procedure in a case in which the defendant was charged with injury to a child. Additionally; the judge allowed his relationship with the defendant's relative to improperly influence his conduct and judgment which resulted in the defendant receiving favorable treatment. The judge also used his judicial position in an attempt to influence the police department to reduce the charges against the defendant. [Violation of Canons 2B and 3B(2) of the Texas Code of Judicial Conduct.] Private Admonition and Order of Additional Education of a Justice of the Peace. (01/03/12).
