Injudicious Behavior

A county circuit court judge was suspended without pay for 30 days by the Oregon Supreme Court. The judge repeatedly admonished defense counsel in a criminal trial both in and out of the presense of the jury, improperly limited her cross-examination of a prosecution witness, and by “words, expression and tone of voice” indicated bias and prejudice against counsel. After he declared a mistrial on his own motion, the judge attempted to undermine the defendant’s confidence in counsel and encouraged the defendant to discharge her. The judge had a prior admonishment for similar behavior. (Mike Frisch)