Judicial Misconduct Not Proven

The  Maryland Court of Appeals found a judge did not engage in misconduct by entering this order with an opinion to follow

WHEREAS, the Maryland Commission on Judicial Disabilities (“Commission”), pursuant to Maryland Rule 18-407 (j) and (k), referred to this Court the case of In the Matter of the Honorable Mary C. Reese, Judge of the District Court of Maryland for Howard County, Tenth Judicial Circuit, Case Nos. CJD 2015-132, CJD 2015-133, and CJD 2015-134 for expedited consideration pursuant to Maryland Rule 18-408(a), and

WHEREAS, the Commission alleged that Judge Reese violated the Maryland Code of Judicial Conduct, specifically Maryland Rules 18-101.1 and 18-102.5, as a result of her presiding over a peace order hearing in the District Court of Maryland sitting in Carroll County, and

WHEREAS, this Court having concluded that the Commission did not prove by clear and convincing evidence that Judge Reese lacked the competence and diligence necessary to complete her judicial responsibilities or otherwise committed sanctionable conduct, as defined by Maryland Rule 18-401(j), and

WHEREAS, this Court held Oral Argument on March 6, 2018 and for reasons to be stated in an opinion later to filed, it is this 22nd day of March 2018,

ORDERED, by the Court of Appeals, that this proceeding against Judge Mary C. Reese be, and is, hereby dismissed with prejudice.

The alleged misconduct –reported by WBAL TV 11 – involved comments made from the bench in two domestic violence matters.

Our coverage of the oral argument describes the allegations. (Mike Frisch)