Indiana Commission on Judicial Qualifications

3 judges face discipline in Indianapolis shooting

October 16, 2019 | Olivia Covington

Clark Circuit Judges Andrew Adams and Bradley Jacobs and Crawford Circuit Judge Sabrina Bell each have been charged with ethics violations for their roles in a now-infamous Indianapolis altercation that left Adams and Jacobs hospitalized with serious gunshot wounds. The charges detail a night of bar-hopping by the southern Indiana jurists during the evening of April 30 into the early morning of May 1 that ended in a confrontation that escalated to violence.

Three judges involved in Indianapolis shooting now face discipline

October 11, 2019 | Olivia Covington

Three judges involved in a May shooting in downtown Indianapolis are all now facing judicial discipline charges. Clark Circuit Judges Andrew Adams and Bradley Jacobs and Crawford Circuit Magistrate Judge Sabrina Bell each were charged Friday by the Indiana Commission on Judicial Qualifications in relation to the May 1 shooting at a downtown Indianapolis White Castle, and the events leading up to the shooting.

JQC: Judge’s suspension should remain until end of disciplinary proceedings

September 20, 2019 | Olivia Covington

Public trust in the integrity of the judicial system would be compromised if Judge Andrew Adams were reinstated to the Clark County bench before the end of his disciplinary action, the Indiana Commission on Judicial Qualifications argued in new court filings.

Suspended judge involved in shooting moves for reinstatement

September 18, 2019 | Dave Stafford

The suspended Clark Circuit Court judge who pleaded guilty to misdemeanor battery for his role in an Indianapolis shooting that also wounded a second southern Indiana jurist has asked to be reinstated to the bench because doing so “is in the best interest of the Clark County judicial system.”

After judge’s plea, JQC investigating shooting

September 18, 2019 | Olivia Covington

Though he’s past the legal ramifications of an early-morning shooting in May, Clark Circuit Judge Andrew Adams must still face a judicial discipline action investigating the matter. His plea and the highly publicized nature of the shooting led the Indiana Judicial Qualifications Commission to take the rare step of publicly confirming its investigation of the incident.

Judicial commission investigating shooting involving judges

September 11, 2019 | Olivia Covington

The Indiana Commission on Judicial Qualifications is investigating the May 1 shooting that left two Clark County judges wounded and one convicted of misdemeanor battery, the Indiana Supreme Court confirmed Wednesday.

Clark Circuit judge wounded in shooting enters guilty plea

September 9, 2019 | Olivia Covington

One of the two judges injured in a downtown Indianapolis shooting pleaded guilty Monday afternoon to misdemeanor battery stemming from the May 1 incident. He will serve no jail time.

Judge Jacobs to return to Clark County bench next week

July 23, 2019

Clark Circuit Judge Bradley Jacobs, one of two judges wounded in an early-morning shooting in downtown Indianapolis in May, will return to the bench next week, the Indiana Supreme Court announced in an order Tuesday.

Details about judges shooting begin to emerge

July 9, 2019

Clark Circuit Judge Andrew Adams was charged with a felony and suspended from the bench after a Marion County grand jury indicted him and two other men after an apparent fight in which Adams and fellow Clark Circuit Judge Bradley Jacobs were shot and wounded.

Lawyer: Judge charged after shot in fight ready for legal process

July 2, 2019

A southern Indiana judge who faces felony battery charges stemming from a May 1 fight outside a fast-food restaurant in which he and another judge were shot and wounded is “prepared to proceed through the legal process.”

Lawyer: Judge charged after shot in fight ready for legal process

July 2, 2019

A southern Indiana judge who faces felony battery charges stemming from a May 1 fight outside a fast-food restaurant in which he and another judge were shot and wounded is “prepared to proceed through the legal process.”

Judicial Qualifications Commission moves to suspend judge charged in Indianapolis shooting

June 28, 2019

The Indiana Commission on Judicial Qualifications has filed a motion to suspend Clark Circuit Judge Andrew Adams with pay following his Friday indictment on charges related to a downtown Indianapolis shooting he was involved in earlier this year. The commission filed a Notice of Criminal Charges and Request for Suspension seeking Adams’ suspension immediately upon learning of the felony indictment.

Senior judges may endorse political candidates, JQC says

June 20, 2019

The Indiana Commission on Judicial Qualifications determined that senior judges may endorse candidates for public office, but retiring judges may not. The commission issued its advisory opinion in response to questions posed about endorsements of candidates for public office by retiring and senior judges.

Hendricks Judge Freese suspended 45 days over friend’s estate theft

June 4, 2019

Hendricks Superior Judge Robert W. Freese has been suspended from judicial office without pay for 45 days after appointing a friend as a trustee of an estate case he was presiding over and failing to take action when the friend did not fulfill his duties, resulting in a “massive theft.”

Fired Hamilton County magistrate judge pleads not guilty to meth charge

May 16, 2019

A fired suburban Indianapolis magistrate judge has pleaded not guilty to felony possession of methamphetamine.

Hamilton County magistrate judge suspended after arrest in meth sting

March 26, 2019

A Hamilton County magistrate judge has been suspended by the Indiana Supreme Court as he faces a felony methamphetamine possession charge and other counts after he allegedly bought meth from a police informant. The judicial officer also is accused of biting the thumb of an officer who tried to pry the bag of meth from the magistrate judge’s mouth.

Tenure requirement waived to certify St. Joseph senior judge

February 12, 2019

The Indiana Judicial Nominating Commission has waived certain criteria in the certification of a new senior judge, finding ‘exceptional circumstances’ existed to warrant the waiver.

Supreme Court warns against city, town court judges assuming role of prosecutor

February 5, 2019

A word of discretion was offered to judicial officers Monday when Indiana Supreme Court justices condemned the impropriety of assuming a prosecutor’s duties, a message shared in a disciplinary opinion elaborating on the judicial ban of a former New Haven City Court judge.

Hendricks Judge Freese faces discipline charges

January 30, 2019

A Hendricks County judge and former leader of the Indiana Judges Association is facing disciplinary charges stemming from allegations that he appointed a friend as trustee of an estate case, then failed to take prompt action upon learning that the man was not fulfilling his duties and was possibly stealing from the trust.

Ex-New Haven City Court judge agrees to lifetime judicial ban

January 16, 2019

A northern Indiana city court judge who resigned at the end of the year after several judicial misconduct charges were filed against him has agreed to never again serve as a judge, the Indiana Supreme Court announced.

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