Ohio Justices Deciding Length of Ex-Judge Harland H. Hale's Suspension

Fixing a friend’s speeding ticket and lying under oath will result in the suspension of former Franklin County Environmental Court Judge Harland H. Hale’s law license.

The question remains: For how long?

The Ohio Supreme Court heard arguments yesterday about how severely Hale should be disciplined amid disagreement about his proposed punishment.

Hale’s attorney and the Board of Commissioners on Grievances and Discipline agree that a six-month suspension is appropriate. The justices, however, previously rejected a recommended six-month loss of license as too lenient.

Joseph M. Caligiuri, an assistant disciplinary counsel, told the justices that Hale, who was on the bench for 10 years, should pay for his misconduct with a one-year suspension.

“We have a sitting judge in the state of Ohio fixing a personal speeding ticket for a friend and lawyer … and who took efforts to cover his path. It is beyond the pale,” Caligiuri said.

Hale, who claimed he served a self-imposed suspension, compounded his misconduct when he lied in a disciplinary hearing that he did not represent clients for six months after stepping down under fire on May 24, 2013, Caligiuri said.

Hale’s attorney, George D. Jonson of Cincinnati, countered that an emotional and teary Hale did not lie during the hearing but “misspoke” in failing to recall five minor cases that he handled for free for friends and associates.

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Justices deciding length of ex-judge Hale’s suspension

See Also:
Ex-Judge Hale's Punishment Not Enough, Supreme Court Says