Lake Superior Court judge charged with alleged misconduct by judicial commission
The Indiana Commission on Judicial Qualifications charged Lake Superior Court Judge Calvin Hawkins Monday with three counts of misconduct.
Indiana Commission on Judicial Qualifications
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Judicial ethics chief selected to lead lawyer Disciplinary Commission
Adrienne Meiring has been selected as the new executive director of the Indiana Supreme Court Disciplinary Commission. She recently sat down with The Indiana Lawyer to discuss her career history and her new role.
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Judges portrayed as aggressors in gunman’s self-defense claim
Did Brandon Kaiser pull the trigger on two Indiana judges only after they attacked him and placed him in fear for his life? He claims in court filings they did. But even as the judges involved in the now-infamous brawl have retaken the bench after brief suspensions, video that could prove conclusive remains under a court seal.
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Man charged in judges’ shooting claims self-defense, says judges were aggressors
The man charged with shooting two southern Indiana judges outside an Indianapolis fast food restaurant last year claimed in a Tuesday court filing that he acted in self-defense. The notice of affirmative defense also alleges the judges were the aggressors as alleged gunman Brandon Kaiser and his nephew, Alfredo Vazquez, were stopping to eat at a downtown White Castle, where the shooting took place in the parking lot.
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Rush plans to further initiatives in second term
Ask the justices how they would describe the last five years at the Indiana Supreme Court, and they’ll tell you they’ve seen some changes. There’s been an internal reorganization, a major technology initiative and a national drug crisis to contend with, but they think their institution has successfully charted its path.
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Articles
Commission on Judicial Qualifications advises candidates on endorsements, courthouse photography in campaign materials
The Indiana Commission on Judicial Qualification issued an advisory opinion Monday on campaign endorsements and other campaign conduct.
Madison Circuit Judge Norrick facing judicial discipline for failure to supervise staff
A Madison County judge is facing judicial discipline charges alleging that he failed to adequately supervise his staff and properly take action in criminal cases, resulting in the dismissal of multiple cases and the improper issuance of a custody order.
Justices say St. Joe probate judge’s misconduct appeared ‘willful’
One week after issuing an order suspending St. Joseph Probate Judge Jason A. Cichowicz for 45 days, the Indiana Supreme Court has issued an opinion explaining its rationale, writing that the judge’s misconduct seemed to be “willful.”
St. Joseph Co. judge suspended for 45 days says it ‘never occurred’ to him that actions were unethical
A filing in the discipline case against St. Joseph Probate Judge Jason Cichowicz sheds light on the facts surrounding his 45-day suspension and his defense. Meanwhile, the man whose relationship with Cichowicz underpins the action says Cichowicz was “bullied.”
St. Joseph probate judge Cichowicz to serve 45-day suspension without pay, with automatic reinstatement
St. Joseph County Probate Judge Jason A. Cichowicz will begin serving a 45-day suspension without pay next month following the filing of a seven-count disciplinary complaint against him earlier this year.
Hancock Co. judge admonished for ‘injudicious’ comments made while on legal prescription drugs that ‘affected judgment’
Hancock Superior Judge Donald Jack “D.J.” Davis has been admonished for “injudicious” comments made during an incident at his son’s home in June 2022, when he said his use of legally prescribed narcotics “affected (his) judgment.”
Decatur Co. judge Day reprimanded for ex parte communications
The Indiana Supreme Court has publicly reprimanded Decatur Circuit Judge Timothy B. Day for unauthorized ex parte communications and for failing to take appropriate remedial measures regarding those communications.
St. Joe probate judge Cichowicz facing discipline charges for alleged conduct as attorney, judge
St. Joseph Probate Judge Jason A. Cichowicz has been charged with seven counts of misconduct, including an allegation that he improperly leveraged his position as the trustee for a foundation to fund improvements to his court.
Gibson Co. Judge Meade gets 7-day unpaid suspension with automatic reinstatement after 4-count discipline complaint filed against him
Little more than a month after formal discipline charges were filed against Gibson Circuit Court Judge Jeffrey Meade, the Indiana Supreme Court has imposed a one-week suspension on the judge that will allow him to resume his judicial duties in early February.
Decatur Co. Judge Day charged with 2 counts of judicial misconduct for handling of CHINS cases
Decatur Circuit Court Judge Timothy B. Day is facing formal discipline charges for alleged misconduct in his handling of child in need of services cases.
IN Supreme Court ends suspension of former Crawford Co. judge following her resignation
The Indiana Supreme Court has terminated the suspension of now-former Crawford Circuit Court Judge Sabrina R. Bell after she recently resigned from her position and agreed to not hold judicial office ever again.
Following arrest, Crawford Co. judge Bell resigns, agrees to never hold judicial office again
Embattled Crawford Circuit Court Judge Sabrina R. Bell, who was previously disciplined for her role in a 2019 brawl-turned-shooting, has resigned from her post and agreed to never hold judicial office again following her arrest for allegedly hitting her ex-husband in front of their children.
JNC/JQC seeking new member from NE Indiana
The Indiana Judicial Nominating Commission/Indiana Commission on Judicial Qualifications has an opening for an attorney from northeast Indiana to serve a three-year term beginning Jan. 1, 2023.
Judge pro tem appointed to Crawford Circuit Court
A new senior judge will take the bench in place of suspended Crawford Circuit Judge Sabrina R. Bell next week.
Crawford Co. judge Bell arrested for allegedly battering ex-husband in front of kids, suspended with pay
An embattled southern Indiana judge involved in a 2019 brawl-turned-shooting in Indianapolis was arrested Thursday on a felony charge for allegedly hitting her ex-husband in front of their children and has been suspended from the bench.
Advisory opinions offered on statements made by judicial candidates, lawyers commenting on pending legal matters
The Indiana Commission on Judicial Qualifications and Indiana Supreme Court Disciplinary Commission have issued advisory opinions regarding statements targeted at opponents made by candidates running for judicial office and public statements made by lawyers regarding pending disputes, including on social media.
Former Adams Co. judge Miller faces discipline charges related to judicial campaign
The Indiana Commission on Judicial Qualifications has filed disciplinary charges against a former Adams County Drug Court judge related to election matters during his time on the bench.
Porter Co. judge receives public admonition for bond modifications
Porter Superior Judge Christopher Buckley received a public admonition Monday for actions related to his service as a town court judge, when he modified several defendants’ bonds without giving them notice or without a motion from the prosecution.
New timeline set to fill upcoming JNC/JQC vacancy
A new timeline has been set for the nomination and election of a new District One representative on the Indiana Supreme Court’s Judicial Nominating/Qualifications Commission.