Embattled Harris County Court-at-Law Judge Donald Jackson resigned a week after being sentenced to 30 days in jail for abusing his authority. The veteran judge was convicted of misdemeanor official oppression this month after being accused of trying to solicit a relationship with 28-year-old Ariana Venegas, a defendant in his court charged in February with driving while intoxicated.
Jackson was sentenced to a month in jail and two years' probation but remains free as he appeals the decision. He was suspended by the State Commission on Judicial Conduct after a grand jury indicted him in August but still drew his $140,000 salary while the case was pending. His resignation is effective Thursday.
Because judges cannot hold outside employment, Jackson would have to resign to take another job. He holds specialization certifications in commercial real estate law and residential real estate law, according to state records.
Calls to the State Commission on Judicial Conduct were not answered.
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Convicted Harris Co. Judge Resigns Bench
Resigning was the right thing to do. The County can get on with its business - and not pay the extra salary - while the appeal is proceeding.
ReplyDeleteThe fact that he continued to draw his salary during the investigation is outrageous.
ReplyDeleteThank you for resigning, Donald Jackson.
They're people, too, you know - but not real people: they think they're God!
ReplyDeletetrying to solicit a relationship? with a 28 year old defendant? how old is this judge and how much money was he offering for the relationship? hhmmmmm who else was Judge Donald Jackson having relationships with and why? he did the right thing by resigning he is not qualified to judge anyone
ReplyDelete