Opinion ID: 1858151
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 3

Heading: The Formal Charge

Text: After investigating the matter, the Commission on November 10, 2005, filed a Formal Charge against Judge Krake in No. 0255, alleging that he violated Canons 1, 2 A, 3, 3 A(1), 3 A(2), 3 A(3), and 3 A(7) of the Code of Judicial Conduct. [3] The Commission further alleged that Judge Krake engaged in willful misconduct relating to his official duty, engaged in willful and persistent failure to perform his duty, and engaged in persistent and public conduct prejudicial to the administration of justice that brings the judicial office into disrepute, all in violation of La. Const. art. V, § 25(C). Finally, the Commission alleged that Judge Krake suffers from a disability that seriously interferes with the performance of his duties and that is or is likely to become permanent, within the meaning of La. Const. art. V, § 25(C), justifying his involuntary retirement. The Commission also specifically alleged as follows: A. Judge Krake is an admitted alcoholic and has failed to maintain sobriety to such a degree that he has, on several different occasions, been significantly impaired while performing judicial duties, including on the bench and in chambers. B. Judge Krake has appeared in public in a state of obvious intoxication on more than one occasion, both in Grant Parish and at bar and judicial conferences. C. Judge Krake has failed to maintain sobriety to such a degree that others have become concerned about or doubtful of his ability to competently perform his judicial duties, including on the bench and in chambers, causing attorneys to privately resolve or settle their clients' cases to avoid having him decide the case while impaired. D. Judge Krake has either failed to obtain appropriate treatment for his alcoholism or the treatment which he has obtained has been, ultimately, ineffective in helping him to remain sober. E. Judge Krake has been stopped, on more than one occasion, by Grant Parish sheriff's deputies on suspicion of driving while intoxicated and was subsequently driven home by the deputy who pulled him over.