Judge Reprimanded For COVID Guideline Disobedience

The Tennessee Board of Judicial Conduct has reprimanded a judge for violation of the state Supreme Court COVID guidelines

your courtroom has at times been filled to capacity, even to the point of members of the public having to stand shoulder to shoulder along the walls because all seats are taken.

Also a courtroom comment

you wished that Chief Judge Jeff Bivens would win an award so that the COVID-19 mandates from the Supreme Court would end.

The judge acknowledged the misconduct.

The board letter noted that the judge’s courtroom is small and that he sought to address the backlog on the docket.

However, the court guidelines are not “mere suggestions” and compliance is “not optional.” (Mike Frisch)