Disciplinary Actions — 8/22/2018
Read who’s been reprimanded and suspended in the most recent reporting period.
Indiana Commission on Judicial Qualifications
Articles
Knox County judge reprimanded for tossing friend’s case
A Knox Superior Court judge had been publicly reprimand for reinstating a close friend’s suspended driver’s license and suggesting a deputy prosecutor dismiss the case, according to an Indiana Supreme Court order issued Friday.
Discipline file: Knox County judge tossed friend’s case
Knox Superior Court 2 Judge Ryan D. Johanningsmeier faces judicial discipline proceedings after he reinstated a close friend’s suspended driver’s license and allegedly suggested a deputy prosecutor dismiss the case.
Evansville magistrate resigns amid misconduct investigation
A Vanderburgh County magistrate judge has resigned from the bench following an Indiana Commission on Judicial Qualifications investigation into allegations of misconduct. The Indiana Supreme Court announced Magistrate Jeffrey T. Shoulders’ resignation on Tuesday, almost two weeks after Shoulders officially resigned on May 30.
Disciplinary Actions — 3/21/2018
The Indiana Supreme Court Disciplinary Commission brings charges against attorneys who have violated the state’s rules for admission to the bar and Rules of Professional Conduct.
Blackford judge suspended for barring ex-clerk from courthouse
A Blackford County judge has been suspended without pay for six days for barring a county’s clerk from entering the courthouse in Hartford City.
Panel recommends 6-day suspension for Blackford judge
A state panel has recommended that an Indiana trial court judge be suspended for six days without pay, following charges filed by the Indiana Judicial Qualifications Commission pertaining to a dispute with the former county clerk.
Judges weighing protective orders may take notice of other cases
Judges who check for other cases when petitioned for protective orders do not violate judicial canons that restrict ex parte communications or independently investigating facts, according to the Indiana Commission on Judicial Qualifications.
Supreme Court reprimands senior judge convicted of OWI
The Indiana Supreme Court has issued a public reprimand against a senior judge convicted of driving while intoxicated.
JQC holds that live-Tweeting is not ‘broadcasting’
The use of instant electronic communication such as Twitter in courtrooms is not considered broadcasting under the Code of Judicial Conduct, but judges still have the discretion to reasonably regulate the use of such communication in their courtrooms, the Indiana Commission on Judicial Qualifications has held.
Advisory opinion issued about ex parte petitions for temporary custody
The Indiana Commission on Judicial Qualifications has issued an advisory opinion to judges in response to numerous ethical complaints about judges granting ex parte petitions for temporary custody in non-emergency cases or when there was no attempt to provide notice to the adverse party.
JQC files charges against judge following OWI arrest in Kentucky
The Indiana Commission on Judicial Qualifications filed one count against a southern Indiana town court judge who was arrested and pleaded guilty to operating while intoxicated in Louisville, Kentucky.
JQC issues advisory opinion to judges with family members running for office
Judges who have a family member running for elected office may appear in campaign materials as long as the judge’s title or position isn’t mentioned, the Indiana Commission on Judicial Qualifications decided in an advisory opinion released Friday.
Judicial candidates warned about campaign content
Candidates for judicial office should not use photographs of courtrooms in their campaign materials, and only incumbent judges should be depicted in judicial robes in campaign ads, according to an advisory opinion from the Indiana Commission on Judicial Qualifications.
Judge Kimberly Brown removed from bench by justices
The Indiana Supreme Court removed Marion Superior Judge Kimberly Brown from the bench Tuesday after finding she “engaged in significant judicial misconduct.” The judge had been on paid suspension since Jan. 9 pending final discipline.
Justices remove Judge Kimberly Brown from bench
The Indiana Supreme Court Tuesday afternoon removed Marion Superior Judge Kimberly Brown from the bench. Brown had been on paid suspension since Jan. 9 pending final discipline.
Suspension may herald end of Kimberly Brown’s judicial career
Before suspended Marion Superior Judge Kimberly Brown was facing possible removal from the bench for dozens of disciplinary counts, she had difficulties in her prior court, according to recent filings arguing for the ultimate sanction against a judge.
Commission: Suspend Judge Kimberly Brown
Marion Superior Judge Kimberly Brown circumvented the three-judge panel that heard her disciplinary case with a direct appeal to the Indiana Supreme Court, the presiding judge said in striking her last-minute apology and an affidavit in her support from former Justice Frank Sullivan.
Remove Judge Kimberly Brown, special masters recommend
Marion Superior Judge Kimberly Brown should be removed from the bench, a panel of three special masters has recommended to the Indiana Supreme Court.
JQC: Strike Judge Brown’s apology, support from Sullivan in discipline case
Marion Superior Judge Kimberly Brown’s last-minute apology and vouching from former Indiana Justice Frank Sullivan Jr. should not be considered in her disciplinary case, the Judicial Qualifications Commission argued in a brief filed Thursday.