Title: In Re Horan
Citation: 428 A.2d 911, 85 N.J. 535
Docket Number: N/A
State: new-jersey
Issuer: new-jersey Supreme Court
Date: April 23, 1981

85 N.J. 535 (1981) 428 A.2d 911 IN THE MATTER OF RONALD L. HORAN, JUDGE OF THE HIGHLANDS BOROUGH, KEANSBURG BOROUGH AND KEYPORT BOROUGH MUNICIPAL COURTS, MONMOUTH COUNTY. The Supreme Court of New Jersey. Argued March 10, 1981. Decided April 23, 1981. Colette A. Coolbaugh argued the cause for the Advisory Committee on Judicial Conduct (Colette A. Coolbaugh, attorney; David E. Johnson on the briefs). Francis X. Crahay argued the cause for respondent (Giordano, Halleran &amp; Crahay, attorneys). PER CURIAM. This disciplinary proceeding involves an inquiry into the judicial conduct of a municipal court judge. In January 1978, a letter was written to the Advisory Committee on Judicial Conduct (Committee) by Sheila and Nicholas Doherty alleging unethical conduct on the part of respondent Judge Ronald L. Horan in proceedings before the Highlands Municipal Court. Following a preliminary investigation, the Committee issued a formal complaint charging respondent with violations of Canons 1, 2A, 3A(1), (2), (3) and (4) and 3B of the Code of Judicial *536 Conduct. A formal hearing was then held at which respondent appeared with counsel and testified. As a result of these proceedings, the Committee filed a presentment with this Court recommending that proceedings be instituted pursuant to N.J.S.A. 2A:1B-1 et seq. for the removal of respondent from his judicial office. Upon being served with a copy of the Committee's Presentment and recommendation, respondent, pursuant to R. 2:15-13, moved to have this Court deny or reject the Committee's recommendation. Respondent was allowed to present oral argument in support of this motion and was also ordered to show cause why he should not be censured or reprimanded in lieu of being subjected to formal proceedings for removal from office. After hearing full argument in the matter, we conclude that respondent's conduct as a judge in the Doherty matter was improper and in violation of the Code of Judicial Conduct and that he should be publicly reprimanded. Removal from office, however, which operates to bar a judge from thereafter holding judicial office, see N.J.S.A. 2A:1B-9, is not warranted. The Dohertys, who owned a bungalow and property in Highlands, had filed a complaint against an adjoining property owner, Albert J. Gross, charging him with trespass and maliciously cutting down hedges on their property. The complaint was filed in the Highlands Municipal Court and was heard by respondent who is the judge of that court. Both parties appeared pro se. Gross admitted that he had cut down the hedges, but claimed that the Dohertys had failed to maintain their premises in proper condition. Apparently this contention struck a responsive chord with respondent as evidenced by his conduct and remarks which were summarized by the Committee in the Presentment as follows: The record establishes that respondent, apparently influenced by the belief that the Doherty property was in a run-down condition, failed to preside over the court hearing in a dignified, courteous, patient and impartial manner. In effect, the hearing was turned into a complaint against the Dohertys. It is small wonder that in their letter of complaint to the Committee, the Dohertys characterized the episode as "a black eye to justice in New Jersey." In In re Albano, 75 N.J. 509, 514 (1978), we said that The municipal court is, in many respects, the most important in our judicial system. For many citizens, it is their only exposure to the courts and judges of this State. Accordingly, the entire system is measured by their experience in the municipal court. In re Mattera, 34 N.J. 259, 275 (1961). As was stated in In re Yengo, 72 N.J. 425, 434 (1977), "municipal courts, from the standpoint of contact, observation and acceptance by the public, are in a preeminent position for the sustaining of universal respect for the administration of justice." See also Vanderbilt, "The Municipal Court The Most Important Court in New Jersey: Its Remarkable Progress and Its Unsolved Problems," 10 Rutgers L.Rev. 647 (1956). In the Doherty matter investigated by the Committee, respondent failed to fulfill this unique but vital responsibility. His violations of the aforementioned Canons are patent and inexcusable. This single incident, however, does not indicate a course of conduct. Respondent for some years has served as judge of several municipal courts. In this isolated incident it appears that respondent mistakenly thought he was called upon to do something about the alleged condition of the Doherty property. It was in what he said and did in this connection that he overstepped his role as a judge. Taking into account all these factors in determining discipline, we conclude that censure for such conduct is most appropriate in the instant case. Therefore, respondent is hereby publicly reprimanded and warned that future conduct of this nature may result in his removal from office. For reprimand Chief Justice WILENTZ and Justices SULLIVAN, PASHMAN, CLIFFORD, SCHREIBER, HANDLER and POLLOCK 7. Opposed None.