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The Indiana Supreme Court is punishing Lake Superior Court Judge Calvin Hawkins with a 30-day unpaid suspension for repeatedly sexually harassing court employees over his 18-year tenure on the bench.
While Justices Mark Massa, Geoffrey Slaughter and Derek Molter concurred in the discipline, Chief Just Loretta Rush and Justice Christopher Goff dissented, believing Hawkins should be removed from office due his repeated acts of sexual harassment in the workplace.
The Indiana Commission on Judicial Qualifications charged Hawkins with judicial misconduct in December for repeated sexual harassment of at least four court staff members.
Hawkins suspension begins on March 31 and will end on April 30. As part of the conditional agreement, court costs will be assessed against Hawkins and he is to complete at his own expense a course in sexual harassment training through the National Center for State Courts.
James Voyles, Hawkins’ attorney, declined to comment on the court’s decision.
“Respondent’s misconduct was serious, included repeated physical advances toward employees despite their express rejections, and was an abject abuse of his position and power,” the high court wrote. “Through his pattern of misconduct,
Respondent has fallen far short of the standard required of him.”
Hawkins agreed that the interactions reported to the disciplinary commission constituted harassment.
Between 2007 and 2023, Hawkins also habitually hugged people with whom he came into contact, including court staff and others around the courthouse, the court found. And Hawkins’ inappropriate touching continued into early 2024 when he hugged and kissed a staff member on her head or cheek, according the court’s ruling.
In his March 2024 deposition, Hawkins acknowledged that his unwelcome physical contact with court staff had a negative effect on the integrity of the judiciary.
Hawkins agreed that his actions violated rules 1.2, 2.3(B) and 2.8(B) of judicial conduct.
“A judicial suspension is a very severe sanction, and it is fully warranted here,” the high court wrote.
The parties noted that Hawkins has not faced discipline before and he occupies several other leadership positions in his community, including at his church and with youth outreach initiatives. He has also been given several awards such as honorary doctorates and the Sagamore of the Wabash.
“While these experiences further illustrate the depth of the trust betrayed, they also reflect Respondent’s capacity to regain it and to reform,” the high court continued.
The case is In the Matter of the Honorable Calvin D. Hawkins Judge of Lake Superior Court, 24S-JD-403.
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