Justia North Dakota Supreme Court Opinion Summaries

Respondent Wickham Corwin, judge in the East Central Judicial District, objected to the Judicial Conduct Commission's findings that he violated provisions of the Code of Judicial Conduct and its recommendation that he be suspended for two months, without net pay, and be assessed the costs and expenses of the disciplinary proceedings. Upon review, the Supreme Court concluded there was clear and convincing evidence Judge Corwin violated N.D. Code Jud. Conduct Canons 3(C)(1), and N.D. Code Jud. Conduct Canon 3(C)(2). The Court ordered Judge Corwin be suspended from his position as district judge for one month without pay effective December 1, 2014, and that he be assessed costs and expenses of the disciplinary proceedings. View "Judicial Conduct Commission v. Corwin" on Justia Law

The Judicial Conduct Commission recommended that Northwest District Court judge Richard Hagar be censured for violating Canon 3(B)(1) of the Code of Judicial Conduct. In 2011, Judge Hagar was served formal charges for allegedly not promptly deciding "Ringuette v. Ringuette" when a trial was held in his court in 2010. Upon review, the Supreme Court accepted the Affidavit of Consent and Agreement agreed to by the parties, censured Judge Hagar for his conduct, and ordered him to pay $500 in costs for the disciplinary proceeding. View "Judicial Conduct Commission v. Hagar" on Justia Law