| Action |
Date Issued |
Summary |
| Private Warning of a Justice of the Peace (10/21/03) |
10/21/2003 |
The judge misused the powers of his judicial office by causing a fictitious notice to a County Commissioner, a critic of how the judge ran his court administratively, leading the Commissioner to believe that he had been charged with a criminal offense and was facing possible arrest. [Violation of Canon 2B of the Texas Code of Judicial Conduct.] Private Warning of a Justice of the Peace (10/21/03) |
| Private Admonition of a Justice of the Peace (10/21/03) |
10/21/2003 |
The judge failed to accord an attorney and her client a hearing in a small claims suit for more than a year, despite repeated requests in writing and by telephone for him to provide a hearing in the case. Further, the judge conducted court proceedings in an undignified manner when he heard the case while barefooted and wearing a T-shirt and shorts. [Violation of Canons 3B(1), 3B(4), and 3B(8) of the Texas Code of Judicial Conduct.] Private Admonition of a Justice of the Peace (10/21/03) |
| Private Order of Additional Education of a County Judge (10/21/03) |
10/21/2003 |
The judge made inappropriate comments toward a county employee who worked under his direct supervision causing that employee to file a sexual harassment claim against the judge. [Violation of Canon 3B(4) of the Texas Code of Judicial Conduct.] Private Order of Additional Education of a County Judge (10/21/03) |
| Private Warning and Order of Additional Education of a Justice of the Peace (11/28/03) |
11/28/2003 |
The judge inappropriately adjudicated a matter in which his grandson was the defendant. Additionally, the judge, on an infrequent basis, set bonds over the telephone. [Violation of Canons 2B, 3B(1) and 3B(2) of the Texas Code of Judicial Conduct.] Private Warning & Order of Additional Education of a Justice of the Peace (11/28/03) |
| Private Warning and Order of Additional Education of a Justice of the Peace (11/28/03) |
11/28/2003 |
The judge improperly adjudicated a matter in which her husband was the defendant, and subsequently adjudicated a matter in which a defendant was an employee of business in which the judge has an ownership interest. [Violation of Canons 2B and 3B(1) of the Texas Code of Judicial Conduct.] Private Warning & Order of Additional Education of a Justice of the Peace (11/28/03) |
| Private Admonition of a Justice of the Peace (01/02/04) |
01/02/2004 |
The judge's arrest for suspicion of driving while intoxicated became publicly known in his community. Although no criminal charges were ever filed against him in connection with this incident, the judge admitted that he was in possession of an open container of beer at the time of his arrest. [Violation of Article V, Section 1-a(6)A of the Texas Constitution.] Private Admonition of a Justice of the Peace (01/02/04) |
| Private Order of Additional Education of a Justice of the Peace (02/02/04) |
02/02/2004 |
The judge improperly handled several aspects of a civil suit filed in the judge's court, including the failure to timely issue citation, the failure to document the sending of hearing notices, and improperly dismissing the lawsuit at a pretrial conference. [Violation of Canon 3B(2) of the Texas Code of Judicial Conduct.] Private Order of Additional Education of a Justice of the Peace (02/02/04) |
| Private Admonition of a District Judge (01/15/04) |
01/15/2004 |
During a summary judgment hearing in a suit on a note, the judge failed to accord plaintiffs respect and dignity when he disparaged them in court by comparing them and their legal claims to "Scrooge and Marley." [Violation of Canon 3B(4) of the Texas Code of Judicial Conduct.] Private Admonition of a District Judge (01/15/04) |
| Private Warning and Order of Additional Education of a Justice of the Peace. (01/15/04) |
01/15/2004 |
The judge engaged in an improper ex parte communication when he placed phone calls and considered testimony from witnesses who were not before the court. [Violation of Canon 6C(2) of the Texas Code of Judicial Conduct.] Private Warning & Order of Additional Education of a Justice of the Peace. (01/15/04) |
| Private Reprimand of a County Criminal Court at Law Judge (02/12/04) |
02/12/2004 |
The judge filed a grievance against defense counsel which was motivated, in part, by his expressed desire to get "aggressive" with counsel. Additionally, the judge ordered an additional, more onerous bond condition for one of defense counsel's clients over two weeks after a mistrial in the case without stating any reason for doing so. [Violation of Canons 2B and 6C(2) of the Texas Code of Judicial Conduct.] Private Reprimand of a County Criminal Court at Law Judge (02/12/04) |
| Private Admonition and Order of Additional Education of a Justice of the Peace. (03/19/04) |
03/19/2004 |
The judge was unaware that she failed to follow established procedures in handling post-trial matters in a civil lawsuit. [Violation of Canon 3B(2) of the Texas Code of Judicial Conduct.] Private Admonition & Order of Additional Education of a Justice of the Peace. (03/19/04) |
| Private Admonition of a District Judge (4/08/04) |
04/08/2004 |
In one case, although the judge explained to a pro se litigant that he could not engage in an ex parte discussion with her, he continued to respond to her questions and criticisms, and asked her "Are you calling me a liar?" In another case, the judge admonished a divorce litigant in open court for berating his own attorney at the courthouse; the judge later testified that he felt the litigant, who was employed as a deputy sheriff in another county, did not exhibit proper behavior as a peace officer. Two years later, the judge's bailiff told him that the same litigant and his mother were in court for the divorce, and had called the judge's court "crooked." The judge chastised the litigant and his mother for criticizing the court, and complained to the litigant's supervisor at the sheriff's department about the litigant's past and present behavior; the litigant was officially reprimanded. The judge conducted court proceedings in an undignified manner, and by reporting the divorce litigant to his superiors, the judge was retaliating against him for firing his attorney two years earlier. [Violation of Canon 3B(4) of the Texas Code of Judicial Conduct.] Private Admonition of a District Judge (4/08/04) |
| Private Order of Additional Education of a Justice of the Peace (04/08 /04). |
04/08/2004 |
The judge unilaterally authorized the release of a criminal defendant on personal bond, after the defendant had been magistrated and had his surety bond set at $15,000 by another justice of the peace. The judge took such action, after being notified of the defendant's incarceration by the defendant's coach, with whom the judge was acquainted. [Violations of Article 17.09, Section 3 of the Texas Code of Criminal Procedure and Canons 2A, and 2B of the Texas Code of Judicial Conduct] Private Order of Additional Education of a Justice of the Peace (04/08 /04). |
| Private Admonition of a District Judge (04/08/04) |
04/08/2004 |
The judge lost his temper and used intemperate language while attending a public meeting in his official capacity. [Violation of Canon 3B(4) of the Texas Code of Judicial Conduct and Article 5, Section 1-a(6)A of the Texas Constitution.] Private Admonition of a District Judge (04/08/04) |
| Private Order of Additional Education (04/27/04) |
04/27/2004 |
The judge, influenced by his relationship to a defendant, unilaterally ordered the defendant released on a personal bond after another judge had magistrated the defendant and set a surety bond for him. [Violation of Canon 2B of the Texas Code of Judicial Conduct.] Private Order of Additional Education (04/27/04) |
| Private Admonition of a District Judge (04/27/04). |
04/27/2004 |
The judge allowed an attorney with whom he had a close relationship to continue to appear before him, even after another judge had found grounds to order that he be recused from a case because of the relationship. Further, the judge placed undue pressure on his court staff in requesting that they commit their personal time to assist him with his re-election campaign. [Violation of Canon 2B, Texas Code of Judicial Conduct] Private Admonition of a District Judge (04/27/04). |
| Private Reprimand of a District Judge (04/27/04) |
04/27/2004 |
For the purpose of lending the prestige of his office, the judge sent a letter on judicial letterhead to attorneys who were involved with a matter to which the judge had a personal interest threatening them and their firm with a lawsuit. [Violation of Canon 2B of the Texas Code of Judicial Conduct.] Private Reprimand of a District Judge (04/27/04) |
| Private Order of Additional Education of a Justice of the Peace (06/25/04) |
06/25/2004 |
A landlord filed an eviction suit in the judge's court against a tenant, although the rental property that was the subject of the suit was not located in the judge's precinct. The judge conducted an "informal hearing" at which only the tenant appeared, and the judge found in favor of the landlord and ordered the tenant to vacate the property. The next month, the judge granted to the landlord a default judgment for back rent. [Violation of Canon 2A, Texas Code of Judicial Conduct.] Private Order of Additional Education of a Justice of the Peace (06/25/04) |
| Private Order of Additional Education of a Justice of the Peace (06/25/04) |
06/25/2004 |
The judge failed to obtain the mandatory judicial education requirements for fiscal year 2003. [Violation of Canons 2A and 3B(2) of the Texas Code of Judicial Conduct]. Private Order of Additional Education of a Justice of the Peace (06/25/04) |
| Private Order of Additional Education of a Justice of the Peace (06/25/04) |
06/25/2004 |
The judge failed to obtain the mandatory judicial education requirements for fiscal year 2003. [Violation of Canons 2A and 3B(2) of the Texas Code of Judicial Conduct]. Private Order of Additional Education of a Justice of the Peace (06/25/04) |
| Private Order of Additional Education of a Justice of the Peace (07/09/04) |
07/09/2004 |
A landlord filed an eviction suit in the judge's court against a tenant, although the rental property that was the subject of the suit was not located in the judge's precinct. The judge conducted an "informal hearing" at which only the tenant appeared, and the judge found in favor of the landlord and ordered the tenant to vacate the property. The next month, the judge granted to the landlord a default judgment for back rent. [Violation of Canon 2A, Texas Code of Judicial Conduct.] Private Order of Additional Education of a Justice of the Peace (07/09/04) |
| Private Reprimand of a Justice of the Peace (07/14/04) |
07/14/2004 |
The judge used the prestige of his judicial office to instigate a groundless, or bad-faith, criminal investigation of the constable by alleging that the constable committed perjury by making an affidavit in connection with the constable's attempt to serve suit papers on the judge's son. Based on the circumstances, the Commission concluded that the judge acted in furtherance of the private interests of the judge or those of his son. [Violation of Canon 2B of the Texas Code of Judicial Conduct.] Private Reprimand of a Justice of the Peace (07/14/04) |
| Private Admonition of a District Judge (08/31/04) |
08/31/2004 |
The judge sent an e-mail to various individuals, including other judges and attorneys, soliciting donations for the Multiple Sclerosis Society. The judge's name and title appear in the heading of the e-mail. [Violation of Canon 2B of the Texas Code of Judicial Conduct]. Private Admonition of a District Judge (08/31/04) |
| Private Order of Additional Education of a Retired District Judge (08/31/04) |
08/31/2004 |
The judge failed to obtain the required hours of mandatory judicial education for fiscal year 2003, as required by Rule 2a(2) of the Texas Rules of Judicial Education. [Violation of Canon 3B(2) of the Texas Code of Judicial Conduct]. Private Order of Additional Education of a Retired District Judge (08/31/04) |
| Private Warning and Order of Additional Education of a Justice of the Peace (08/31/04) |
08/31/2004 |
The judge's actions and suggestions regarding the administration of corporal punishment by parents to their children constituted willful or persistent conduct that cast public discredit upon the judiciary or administration of justice. [Violation of Article V. Section 1-a(6)A of the Texas Constitution.] Private Warning & Order of Additional Education of a Justice of the Peace (08/31/04) |
