Details to be revealed soon...
The allegations pertain to violations of Arkansas Judicial Code of Conduct 2b for starters:
CANON 2
A JUDGE SHALL AVOID IMPROPRIETY AND THE APPEARANCE OF IMPROPRIETY IN ALL OF THE JUDGE'S ACTIVITIES
A. A judge shall respect and comply with the law and shall act at all times in a manner that promotes public confidence in the integrity and impartiality of the judiciary.
Commentary:
Public confidence in the judiciary is eroded by irresponsible or improper conduct by judges. A judge must avoid all impropriety and appearance of impropriety. A judge must expect to be the subject of constant public scrutiny. A judge must therefore accept restrictions on the judge's conduct that might be viewed as burdensome by the ordinary citizen and should do so freely and willingly.
The prohibition against behaving with impropriety or the appearance of impropriety applies to both the professional and personal conduct of a judge. Because it is not practicable to list all prohibited acts, the proscription is necessarily cast in general terms that extend to conduct by judges that is harmful although not specifically mentioned in the Code. Actual improprieties under this standard include violations of law, court rules or other specific provisions of this Code. The test for appearance of impropriety is whether the conduct would create in reasonable minds a perception that the judge's ability to carry out judicial responsibilities with integrity, impartiality and competence is impaired.
See also Commentary under Section 2C.
B. A judge shall not allow family, social, political or other relationships to influence the judge's judicial conduct or judgment. A judge shall not lend the prestige of judicial office to advance the private interests of the judge or others; nor shall a judge convey or permit others to convey the impression that they are in a special position to influence the judge. A judge shall not testify voluntarily as a character witness.
Commentary:
Maintaining the prestige of judicial office is essential to a system of government in which the judiciary functions independently of the executive and legislative branches. Respect for the judicial office facilitates the orderly conduct of legitimate judicial functions. Judges should distinguish between proper and improper use of the prestige of office in all of their activities. For example, it would be improper for a judge to allude to his or her judgeship to gain a personal advantage such as deferential treatment when stopped by a police officer for a traffic offense. Similarly, judicial letterhead must not be used to gain a personal advantage or to effect an economic advantage. Letters of recommendation may be written on judicial stationery based on personal knowledge of the applicant, but not merely for the purpose of lending the prestige of the judicial office to the applicant.
A judge must avoid lending the prestige of judicial office for the advancement of the private interests of others. For example, a judge must not use the judge's judicial position to gain advantage in a civil suit involving a member of the judge's family. In contracts for publication of a judge's writings, a judge should retain control over the advertising to avoid exploitation of the judge's office. As to the acceptance of awards, see Section 4D(5)(a) and Commentary.
Although a judge should be sensitive to possible abuse of the prestige of office, a judge may, based on the judge's personal knowledge, serve as a reference or provide a letter of recommendation. However, a judge must not initiate the communication of information to a sentencing judge or a probation or corrections officer but may provide to such persons information for the record in response to a formal request.
How to File A Complaint Against A Judge
These are the instructions for filing a complaint against a judge with the Arkansas Judicial
Discipline and Disability Commission. If you need more forms, you can copy the attached pages
or call us at the number shown below.
1. You may use this form to file an official complaint against a judge. Complete the form by
typing or printing all the information requested. Use separate forms if you want to file
complaints against more than one judge.
2. Make sure you include a daytime telephone number or some other number where we can
reach you to discuss your complaint. If your complaint arises out of a lawsuit, you must
provide your case number and the names of the attorneys who participated in the case.
3. Please make sure that the complaint form is complete and accurate. You may use a
separate letter or the statement of facts section to explain in your own words the
circumstances that led to your complaint. Be as specific as possible in describing names,
places, dates, and witnesses to the actions of the judge. List all the relevant events in
chronological order. Use additional sheets, if necessary, and attach copies of any
documents that support your statement. If you wish to include court documents, please
do not send the originals.
4. Sign the complaint in the space provided. However, complaints may be anonymous.
Make a copy of the complaint for your records.
5. Mail or fax the original complaint and the statement of facts to the Commission at the
following address:
Arkansas Judicial Discipline and Disability Commission
323 Center Street Suite 1060
Little Rock, Arkansas 72201
(501) 682-1050 Fax (501) 682-1049
A complaint form may also be sent by e-mail to jddc@arkansas.gov.
The Commission does not accept complaints by telephone.
COMMISSION RECORDS ARE CONFIDENTIAL
By Arkansas Supreme Court rule and A.C.A. '16-10-404, except for final actions taken
by the Commission or if the Commission finds there is probable cause requiring a formal
disciplinary proceeding, all records, files, reports, and proceedings before this Commission are
confidential. This confidentiality includes information written, recorded, or orally received or
developed during the course of a Commission investigation. Under this rule, any information
contained in this letter or received from you is to be strictly confidential. Any person who obtains any information about the Commission's work and violates this confidentiality requirement is subject to punishment for contempt of the Arkansas Supreme Court.
