Search Results

Indiana Court of Appeals
Michael C. Davis v. State of Indiana
No. 25A-CR-1132

Criminal. Appeal from the Floyd Superior Court, Judge Jason M. Mount. Affirms the trial court’s revocation of Davis’s probation and order that he serve 2,502 days of his previously suspended sentence. Holds the trial court did not err in concluding Davis waived his right to counsel by his conduct, where he repeatedly engaged in dilatory, obstructive behavior, caused multiple attorneys to withdraw, refused to cooperate with evaluations and was repeatedly warned of the consequences of his actions; also concludes the trial court did not abuse its discretion in revoking probation, as the State proved by a preponderance of the evidence that Davis violated conditions prohibiting contact with minors and presence at a park, and the sanction was supported by the nature of his underlying offenses. Judge Mathias authored the opinion. Judges May and Felix concur. Appellant’s attorney: R. Patrick Magrath, West Sixth Law, Madison, Indiana. Appellee’s attorneys: Office of the Indiana Attorney General.

This content was created with the assistance of artificial intelligence and has been reviewed by an editor for accuracy.

The following opinion was issued on March 19 after The Indiana Lawyer’s deadline. 

Indiana Supreme Court
In the Matter of the Honorable J. Steven Cox
No. 25S-JD-80

Judicial discipline action. Publicly reprimands Cox and permanently bans him from judicial service. Holds Cox committed egregious judicial misconduct by engaging in and relying on ex parte communications with a criminal defendant and independently investigating facts outside the record, violating multiple Rules of Judicial Conduct, and concludes the misconduct — combined with prior discipline — warrants the most severe available sanction despite Cox no longer holding office; declines to resolve whether Cox’s blanket policy rejecting plea agreements independently violated the Code. Per curiam opinion. Chief Justice Loretta H. Rush concurs. Justice Derek R. Molter concurs with separate opinion in which Justice Mark S. Massa and Justice Geoffrey G. Slaughter join. Molter concurred in the sanction and in finding misconduct based on ex parte communications but declined to join the conclusion that Cox’s categorical rejection of certain plea agreements violated the Code of Judicial Conduct. He reasoned the issue was unsettled, the Commission may not have met its burden of proof, and categorical plea policies are not uncommon, raising concerns about disciplining judges without clearer guidance. Molter concluded the court should leave that question for resolution through direct appellate review or other procedural avenues rather than judicial discipline. Justice Christopher M. Goff did not participate. Respondent’s attorneys: Garrett R. Bascom, Jefferson C.M. Kisor, Bascom & Kisor, LLC, Lawrenceburg, Indiana. Attorneys for Indiana Commission on Judicial Qualifications: Adrienne L. Meiring, Stephanie K. Bibbs, Victoria H. Thomas, Mark R. Conner, Indianapolis, Indiana.

This content was created with the assistance of artificial intelligence and has been reviewed by an editor for accuracy.