Judicial discipline panel schedules 4-day hearing for Prince George’s judge
Maryland’s Commission on Judicial Discipline will hold a four-day hearing in December to weigh misconduct charges against a Prince George’s County circuit judge who blamed the allegations on a toxic work environment. Judge April T. Ademiluyi’s public hearing will take place on December 13, 14, 20 and 21, according to a notice posted on the […]
PG judge faces misconduct charges, blames ‘toxic environment’
A judge on the Prince George's County Circuit Court is facing an array of misconduct charges.
Judicial discipline panel reprimands St. Mary’s County Orphans’ Court judge
A St. Mary’s County Orphans’ Court judge has been formally reprimanded for filing inaccurate financial disclosure forms and failing to cooperate with judicial discipline investigators. Maryland’s Commission on Judicial Disabilities issued the sanction Friday after hearing evidence at a public hearing earlier last week. The commission reprimanded the judge, Michael R. White, but f[...]
St. Mary’s County judge accused of underreporting hundreds of thousands in income
A St. Mary's County judge faced allegations that he underreported hundreds of thousands of dollars in outside income and gave evasive answers during a civil deposition.
Baltimore judge gets reprimand for contributions, lack of cooperation
A Baltimore district judge was reprimanded for political contributions and not cooperating with disciplinary authorities.
New Zealand law deems river more than just a body of water
Welcome to Monday, the 83rd anniversary of the Hollywood premiere of “The Wizard of Oz.” Here are some other news items. — New Zealand river’s personhood status is recognition it is more than standing water. — Arkansas judge gets suspended for demeaning comments to criminal defendants. — Victims of 2017 Texas mass shooting seek to […]
Parents sue Atlanta, say city failed to protect daughter during protest
Welcome to Monday, the 56th anniversary of the U.S. Supreme Court’s landmark Griswold v. Connecticut decision barring states from outlawing the use of contraception by married couples. Here are some news items to get your week started. — Parents of slain girl sue Atlanta, claiming the city failed to remove armed vigilantes from peaceful protest. […]
Md. high court expels Kent County Orphans’ Court judge
Maryland’s top court Friday expelled a Kent County Orphans’ Court judge who failed to comply with an agreed-to diversion program after receiving probation before judgment for having driven while impaired by alcohol. The Court of Appeals’ expulsion of Amy Leigh Nickerson followed findings by the state Commission on Judicial Disabilities that she had abused her […]
Judicial discipline rule amendments prompted by Judge Devy Russell
Proposed amendments to the Maryland Rules would allow the Court of Appeals to place judges on administrative leave or even suspend them without pay during disciplinary proceedings, changes prompted by the situation in Baltimore involving now-retired Judge Devy Patterson Russell. The Court of Appeals Standing Committee on Rules of Practice and Procedure will consider the amendments […]
Report: More than 200 complaints filed against judges in fiscal 2019
The Maryland commission in charge of investigating and disciplining judges recommended a suspension for one judge and issued a public reprimand to a second during fiscal year 2019, according to its annual report. The commission opened files for 204 complaints between July 1, 2018, and June 30, 2019, a slight decrease from the previous year’s figure of […]
Panel advises adding time to judge’s suspension in 2nd disciplinary matter
A judicial discipline panel on Tuesday recommended an additional three-month suspension for a currently suspended Baltimore City District Court judge. The Court of Appeals suspended Judge Devy Patterson Russell for six months on July 1 and ordered her to have a “complete emotional and behavioral assessment” as part of her sanction for misconduct that involved a […]
Md. high court hears Baltimore judge’s appeal of sanction
ANNAPOLIS – The attorney for an embattled Baltimore District Court judge told Maryland’s top court Monday that the jurist cannot be sanctioned for having “personality disputes” with fellow judges and court personnel. But the state’s judicial disciplinary board countered that the behavior of Judge Devy Patterson Russell, whom the panel found to have threatened and […]