Friday, May 17, 2013
Law Two judges disciplined for courtroom behavior
Posted by Max Brantley on Fri, May 17, 2013 at 3:13 PM
The State Judicial Discipline and Disability Commission today announced disciplinary actions against two judges for unethical behavior.
* CIRCUIT JUDGE GERALD KENT CROW of Berryville was reprimanded and censured. In a drug and a DWI case the judge mounted his own investigation of some facts of the cases, though neither the state nor defense had requested it. He also was found to have retaliated against Public Defender Beau Allen, attorney in one of the cases, for filing a complaint against the judge with the Judicial Commission.
The censure, a more serious punishment, was for the retaliation against Allen.The commission's order said Crow got consideration for admitting to ethical missteps. He was directed to review his docket for possible conflicts with others, refrain from issuing orders in which his employees or families are parties, not have ex parte communications, not step outside the ordinany judicial role and "endeavor to cooperate with other prosecuting attorneys and defense attorneys to the extent that you can, while maintaining decorum and dignity in your courtroom." He also was instructed to refrain from threatening lawyers with turning them into the Committee on Professional Conduct.
* DISTRICT JUDGE ROBERT BATTON of Jacksonville was reprimanded for a heated exchange with a frequent court defendant who became obstreperous. Batton accused the defendant, who is black, of being a racist toward white people. When the man left Batton's courtroom, the judge remarked: "There goes another angry black man." Batton said he knew the statements weren't right or proper but he expressed a "desire to vindicate to those in the court that he is not prejudiced against blacks." He was reprimanded as an appropriate sanction because of his "willingness to accept that your actions were in violation of the code and your commitment to be more aware of the issues listed above in the future....."
The particulars can all be found here.
* CIRCUIT JUDGE GERALD KENT CROW of Berryville was reprimanded and censured. In a drug and a DWI case the judge mounted his own investigation of some facts of the cases, though neither the state nor defense had requested it. He also was found to have retaliated against Public Defender Beau Allen, attorney in one of the cases, for filing a complaint against the judge with the Judicial Commission.
The censure, a more serious punishment, was for the retaliation against Allen.The commission's order said Crow got consideration for admitting to ethical missteps. He was directed to review his docket for possible conflicts with others, refrain from issuing orders in which his employees or families are parties, not have ex parte communications, not step outside the ordinany judicial role and "endeavor to cooperate with other prosecuting attorneys and defense attorneys to the extent that you can, while maintaining decorum and dignity in your courtroom." He also was instructed to refrain from threatening lawyers with turning them into the Committee on Professional Conduct.
* DISTRICT JUDGE ROBERT BATTON of Jacksonville was reprimanded for a heated exchange with a frequent court defendant who became obstreperous. Batton accused the defendant, who is black, of being a racist toward white people. When the man left Batton's courtroom, the judge remarked: "There goes another angry black man." Batton said he knew the statements weren't right or proper but he expressed a "desire to vindicate to those in the court that he is not prejudiced against blacks." He was reprimanded as an appropriate sanction because of his "willingness to accept that your actions were in violation of the code and your commitment to be more aware of the issues listed above in the future....."
The particulars can all be found here.
Comments (6)
Showing 1-6 of 6
Sounds like Judge Crow is sorely lacking in 'judicial temperament'. Perhaps he should seek another line of work.
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Posted by Sound Policy on 05/17/2013 at 3:29 PM
I had to threaten Judge Batton with a lawsuit in the 90s because he wouldn't pay the 900 number charges his kids ran up getting access to my Internet Service. He thought since he was the judge of some crappy town, he didn't have to pay.
The court of public opinion was the only thing that would make him (and his kids) do right.
The court of public opinion was the only thing that would make him (and his kids) do right.
Posted by Mean Gene on 05/17/2013 at 3:36 PM
Batton? Seems more like Batshit to me.
He's trying to show he's not prejudiced to black people by showing severe prejudice to black people? He should be removed from the bench.
He's trying to show he's not prejudiced to black people by showing severe prejudice to black people? He should be removed from the bench.
Posted by GrizLee "Problem" Bear on 05/17/2013 at 4:16 PM
Kent Crow has the smallest judicial circuit in the state, with the lightest case load. His court is still constantly in turmoil. It should have never been a separate judicial circuit. but was created in the early 1990s because of political influence by a Eureka Springs lawyer who wanted to insure a job for his younger brother. The younger brother was defeated by Crow. My friends who practice there tell me it is a nightmare.
Posted by plainjim on 05/17/2013 at 8:09 PM
Judge Batton hates everyone...well everyone who does not use "his" friend, a certain defense lawyer. Pay stupid money for his "friends" services and you walk out. Been there, refused to do that. Jailer felt sorry and let me out after feeding me a Big Mac....LOL
Posted by MEnLR on 05/17/2013 at 11:48 PM
Yeah, Batton has had his run. Why the establishment in Jacksonville continues to elect him I will never know. There are plenty of good, sharp lawyers out in that area that would make a good replacement for him. That City Attorney out there seems to have the right temperament and seems to have the respect of everyone. He'd make a fine district judge if someone could get Batton to retire. Although, I gotta hand it to Batton, when it comes to work. He does show up every day, and I've seen him out there on Saturday mornings doing a jail docket so those kids don't have to spend all weekend in the slammer. Still, times have changed.
Posted by towerdog on 05/23/2013 at 5:18 AM
