Baton Rouge judge suspended for abusing power
Legal Outlook
The Louisiana Supreme Court has suspended a Baton Rouge judge without pay for 180 days for abusing her power to hold people in contempt.
East Baton Rouge Parish Family Court Judge Charlene Charet Day, who has held the seat since 2011, violated the law when she issued a bench warrant that resulted in a teacher being arrested at the school where she works, the high court ruled Friday.
The Louisiana Judiciary Commission, which investigates complaints of judicial conduct, recommended the six-month suspension in July, finding that Day violated rules of conduct and committed “willful misconduct” when she locked up litigants for contempt of court. Day was directed to pay the commission a $6,260 fine.
The justices unanimously agreed that a suspension was warranted, though one thought a less-severe penalty was required, The Advocate reported.
“Judge Day’s conduct harmed the integrity of and respect for the judiciary,” Justice William Crain wrote in the prevailing opinion. “When a judge abuses the immense power to deprive a person of their liberty, it has a profound effect on public confidence in the judiciary.”
Related listings
-
Judge won’t toss suit over Delaware court political balance
Legal Outlook 09/26/2022A federal judge has refused to dismiss a lawsuit against Democratic Gov. John Carney over Delaware’s requirement for political balance on its courts.Friday’s ruling is the latest in a long-running legal battle over a “major-party&rd...
-
Alabama’s new transgender care felony faces federal test
Legal Outlook 05/07/2022A federal judge will hear arguments Thursday on a challenge to Alabama’s plan to outlaw the use of gender-affirming medications to treat transgender youth.U.S. District Judge Liles Burke has scheduled a hearing on a request to block the law&rsq...
-
Slain girl’s grandmother wants caseworkers deemed ‘reckless’
Legal Outlook 04/30/2021The grandmother of a 2-year-old girl who was beaten and starved to death wants to file a wrongful death lawsuit against three caseworkers who oversaw the girl’s care, and has taken her case to the Ohio Supreme Court.During oral arguments Wednes...