Clark County Superior Court Judge Edwin Poyfair, who retired this week, was censured by a state judicial board — a discipline that the judge says forced him to leave office early. In a statement outlining the sanction, the Washington Commission on Judicial Conduct said Poyfair, 68, violated judicial canons in his handling of two parental custody cases last year. The sanction, which is the strictest punishment short of seeking suspension or removal of a judge, was imposed at a public meeting Friday.
Poyfair, who left office April 30 and has moved to Arizona, did not attend the hearing. He was aware of the board’s investigation for the past year and a half.
He said he initially agreed with the judicial board’s charges but then notified board members last month that he was retracting his stipulation because of his retirement. He said the board went ahead with the discipline, anyway.
Another Superior Court judge, John Wulle, is currently charged with conduct violations relating to his courtroom demeanor in four hearings. He has a hearing June 18 before the commission to determine whether he should be disciplined.
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Retired Superior Court Judge Censured by State Board
Judicial discipline won't work honestly unless and until it's managed by the public.
ReplyDeleteI agree Thelma. Forcing him to leave early is good in that he's gone, but it's really not any discipline.
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