The board, in a recommendation released Friday, found Wilfong “demonstrated, over a two-year period, a fundamental lack of candor, judgment, integrity and fairness” by carrying on the affair in her courthouse office and failing to disqualify herself in matters where her impartiality might be questioned.
One of the attorneys for Wilfong has argued that she should not lose her job because of an affair. Instead, Harry Deitzler said he thinks a reprimand for Wilfong from the state Supreme Court would be appropriate.
“I think that she should be treated fairly and reasonably,” Deitzler said Friday. “You don’t take law licenses and remove from the bench for that kind of thing.”
Deitzler said, even though Wilfong would consult with Carter and others in his office at times, the affair, which she self-reported, did not affect any cases.
“They’re saying, ‘Well, now she’s had this extramarital affair. We can’t trust her as a judge because she had bad judgment.’ That is so ridiculous,” Deitzler said. “She understands that the public had a perception that this was an impropriety, but there was never any effect on any case.”
The Judicial Hearing Board will next offer a recommendation to the state Supreme Court about a possible punishment for Wilfong. It’ll be up to the Supreme Court to make a final decision, though the Court cannot remove Wilfong from the bench. Only the Legislature can do that.
Full Article and Source:
Randolph County Judge's Attorney Argues for Reprimand Against Suspension
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Read the Judicial Board's Recommendation
Don't play where you eat.
ReplyDeleteSo she self-reported? So what? She probably knew that somebody else was going to report her, and beat the reluctant whiste-blower to it.
ReplyDelete“You don’t take law licenses and remove from the bench for that kind of thing.”
Yes, you do. It happens all the time. As do criminal charges for obstruction of justice and malfeasance in office.
The public has a right to know that ITS judicial system is fair, open, and honest, and that those few who are privileged to serve THE PUBLIC as judges have no conflict of interest.
Judges and lawyers who violate the PUBLIC'S trust should lose their privilege to participate further in the judicial system (except as a defendant, of course).
She should be disbarred.
ReplyDelete