Lowering the Bench

Judge Jumps the Gun on Declaring Defendant Guilty

The evidence against Joseph Nee, on trial for allegedly plotting a Columbine-style attack at his high school, seems to have been fairly strong.  Or at least you could infer that from the fact that the judge in his bench trial…



Pants Judge Ordered Out of Office

Reports last week that Roy Pearson would lose his job were confirmed on Tuesday, when the panel that oversees administrative law judges in D.C. had a letter hand-delivered to him at about 3:30 p.m., telling him to vacate his office…




Inappropriate Judicial Commentary, #37

"Nice butt." This comment, by a male judge with reference to a female criminal defense attorney, resulted in a disciplinary ruling yesterday by the New York Commission on Judicial Conduct.  The judge argued that he had only parroted a comment…


Judge Pearson Appeals in Lost-Pants Case

The Legal Times reported today that Judge Roy Pearson, who lost a bench trial in June in his $54 million lost-pants lawsuit against Custom Cleaners, has appealed. Pearson, who shed actual tears during the trial and yet seems to have…


“Too Drunk to Remember” Excuse Deployed by Federal Judge

News outlets in Denver are reporting that the chief federal judge in Colorado is facing some questions over credit card charges incurred at the "Diamond Cabaret" in downtown Denver.  For you cynics out there thinking that a place called the…


Pants Judge Notified He May Not Be Reappointed

The Washington Post reported on Wednesday that, after due deliberation and a thorough and thoughtful consideration of all the evidence, a D.C. judicial commission seems to have finally reached the painfully obvious conclusion that Roy L. Pearson, he of the…


Judge Halverson Suspended by Nevada State Commission

The Nevada Commission on Judicial Discipline issued an interim order today (July 25) suspending Judge Elizabeth Halverson pending a final determination in the disciplinary proceeding against her.  The order means that after reviewing evidence and holding a hearing, the Commission…