Judge May Not Require Defendant To Attend Church As Condition Of Release

The Mississippi Supreme Court has reprimanded and suspended for 30 days without pay a justice court judge for misconduct in connection with a number of criminal cases. The matter was submitted on an agreed statement of facts.

Among the violations: requiring the defendant to attend church as a condition of release, initiating and inviting ex parte contacts and presiding over the initial appearance of her nephew.

Justice Kitchens dissented, concluding that the court lacked adequate details about the conduct on which to determine judicial misconduct. (Mike Frisch)