Lawrence County judge accused of using marijuana while serving as judicial officer
The judge has been accused of misconduct for allegedly using marijuana and failing to provide candid information to the Indiana Commission on Judicial Qualifications.
Judicial Discipline
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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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Articles
Retired Franklin County judge permanently banned from the bench
In a Thursday order, the court found that retired Judge Steven Cox engaged in improper ex parte communication with a criminal defendant and relied on that communication to rule in a case.
Randolph County judge permanently banned from judicial service, keeps law license
The Indiana Supreme Court banned the judge from the bench for committing judicial misconduct through a pattern of mismanagement, delay and dereliction of judicial duties.
Disciplinary charges filed against Randolph County judge for failure to perform duties diligently
The disciplinary charges say Randolph County Superior Court Judge Dale Arnett’s failure to act in a timely fashion resulted in one man staying in jail for 227 days without an initial hearing and in at least 10 criminal cases being dismissed.
Former Franklin County judge faces three disciplinary charges of misconduct
The Indiana Commission on Judicial Qualifications has accused a former Franklin County judge of participating in improper communications with a defendant outside the presence of the attorneys.
Disciplinary charges filed against Howard Superior Court judge
The Indiana Supreme Court Commission on Judicial Qualifications has filed nine counts of misconduct against Howard Superior Court Judge Matthew J. Elkin.
Lake County judge suspended without pay for repeatedly sexually harassing court employees
While a majority of the Indiana Supreme Court justices agreed with the punishment, two said they believed Lake Superior Court Judge Calvin Hawkins should be removed from office.
Indiana Supreme Court issues public reprimand for Putnam County judge
The Indiana Supreme Court issued a public reprimand for a Putnam County judge who was found to have engaged in judicial misconduct by making injudicious comments about women bringing property claims against their former cohabitating partners.
Disciplinary charges filed against Putnam County judge for alleged bias toward female plaintiff
Disciplinary charges have been filed against a Putnam County judge for his alleged bias against a woman involved in a case he presided over in late 2021 and early 2022.
Indiana Supreme Court suspends Madison Circuit judge 45 days for judicial misconduct
A Madison Circuit Court judge’s repeated poor management practices, including missing entries and orders that led to the dismissal of 16 cases, has drawn him a scathing rebuke and lengthy suspension from the state’s highest court.
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.
An Oklahoma judge could be removed from office for sending more than 500 texts during a murder trial
A new Oklahoma judge could lose her job for sending more than 500 texts to her bailiff during a murder trial, including messages mocking the prosecutor, praising the defense attorney and calling a key witness a liar.
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.