The Ohio Disciplinary Counsel has filed charges against a former magistrate judge

On July 9, 2016 at approximately 3:30 am in Union Township, Clermont County, Ohio, Trooper Alexander Pater of the Ohio State Highway Patrol stopped respondent on State Route 32 after he observed respondent’s vehicle drift to the left of the solid white fog line.

Trooper Pater asked respondent to step out of her vehicle and inquired about how much she had to drink. Respondent stated that she had two beers.

When Trooper Pater began administering the Horizontal Gaze Nystagmus Test, respondent stated “I’m a magistrate.” Trooper Pater responded by asking respondent where she was a magistrate, to which respondent replied, “Highland County.” Trooper Pater then stated that he had to make sure respondent was not driving while intoxicated.

Minutes later, when Trooper Pater was instructing respondent on the “walk and tum test,” respondent stated, “I’m a judge. My son’s a Secret Service officer. I would not be driving drunk.”

Minutes later, after Trooper Pater had handcuffed respondent and informed her that she did not pass the field sobriety test, respondent stated, “Please! I’m a judge. Don’t do this do me. I did not flunk this. I didn’t flunk it!”

Seconds later, when respondent was in the back seat of Trooper Pater’s cruiser, respondent stated, “Sir, I’m going to lose my job! Please let me speak to my attorney. Officer! Officer, listen to me! I may lose my job. Would you please let me speak to my attorney in the car? Please?”

Seconds later, respondent repeated, “I’m a judge. My son’s a Secret Service officer.”

The respondent pled no contest to reckless operation charges and was removed from office. (Mike Frisch)