Opinion ID: 1881297
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 5

Heading: the respondent should be publicly reprimanded and assessed the costs of these proceedings as proposed by the commission.

Text: ¶ 10. Article 177A of the Mississippi Constitution of 1890, as amended, provides that upon recommendation of the Commission, a judge may be removed, suspended, fined, publicly censured, or publicly reprimanded by this Court. The Commission has recommended in the present case that Judge Lewis be publicly reprimanded and assessed the costs of these proceedings in the amount of $572.01. Judge Lewis has agreed to this recommendation. The Commission considered certain mitigating factors in making its determination. First, Judge Lewis admitted his ex parte actions were improper and agreed not to participate in such conduct in the future. He also agreed to recuse himself from all cases involving A.B.C. agent Weathersby, and further agreed to consider any future motions for recusal based on the facts of such cases. The Commission also recognized that Judge Lewis's handling of cases assigned to other judges was pursuant to the custom of the Hinds County Justice Court. Judge Lewis acknowledged that this practice lends itself to the appearance of impropriety, and agreed to work with the court clerk on implementing a proper procedure. Considering such mitigating factors alongside Judge Lewis's previous private admonishment, this Court affirms the Commission's recommendation.