Judge faces six counts

Attorney: Complaint not accurate view 
of Rastatter’s tenure.

SPRINGFIELD — Separately, the charges of judicial misconduct filed last year against Clark County Common Pleas Judge Douglas Rastatter are not cause for much concern, say experts.

But together, the six-count complaint shows a “troublesome” pattern and if found to be true, could result in sanctions. “While some of the conduct standing alone is not so troublesome, the totality is,” said Arthur F. Greenbaum, a professor at the Moritz College of Law at Ohio State University.

Rastatter will appear Monday and Tuesday before a panel of the Board of Commissioners on Grievances and Discipline of the Ohio Supreme Court to face allegations of wrongdoing in six cases.

The cases stem from his actions on the bench since he was elected judge Nov. 2, 2004.

After the hearing, the panel can dismiss the case or write a recommendation to the full 17-member board who would issue a report to the Ohio Supreme Court, which could determine whether Rastatter faces sanctions.

The 13-page complaint by the Ohio State Bar Association accuses Rastatter of failing to follow the law, failing to uphold the integrity of the judiciary, engaging in conduct prejudicial to the administration of justice, lacking decorum and acting in a manner that does not promote confidence in the judiciary.

Most troubling in the complaint, Greenbaum said, is the allegation that Rastatter failed to carry out mandates by higher courts.

“One instance would be one too many, but here that is alleged in three separate cases,” Greenbaum said.

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Judge faces six counts