Opinion ID: 1698885
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 7

Heading: Abuse of Process and Partiality

Text: ¶ 20. The record contains numerous examples of abuse of process and partiality. Counts 1 and 2 alleged Willard often collected justice court fines at his tire and pawn shop. Willard argues this was not improper because the money was ultimately delivered to the justice court clerk. These counts also included evidence Willard suspended fines imposed by himself as well as by other judges for violations of the Implied Consent Law in direct violation of Miss.Code Ann. § 99-19-25 (2000). ¶ 21. Evidence was also presented regarding instances in which Willard revisited cases which he had already adjudicated, as well as cases of other judges which had been finally adjudicated prior to Willard's service as justice court judge. (Counts 1, 2, 11, 13, 14 & 23). These readjudications took place without any notice to the State of Mississippi. ¶ 22. Willard has accepted pleas of litigants over the telephone; continued cases ex parte without notice (often over the telephone); interfered or attempted to interfere with cases from other jurisdictions ex parte; granted dismissals ex parte over the telephone; and interviewed witnesses ex parte over the telephone. (Counts 4, 6, 7, 9, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 21 & 23). ¶ 23. In addition, Willard has admitted that he, on his own motion, rewrote the terms of a legally binding contract changing the interest rate on the contract. (Count 19). He also utilized the criminal process to collect a civil debt. (Count 12). Willard contends he did not know he could not issue such a warrant. This Court has issued public reprimands against judges who utilized the criminal process to enforce civil debts. In re Odom, 444 So.2d 835 (Miss.1984); In re Lambert, 421 So.2d 1023 (Miss.1982). ¶ 24. Further, witnesses have been forced to testify without notice, and without being advised of their right to an attorney or the right to remain silent (Counts 10 and 25). Willard has conducted hearings and ordered arrests without providing due process (Count 10, 25). As noted in count 28, Willard even ordered a tenant evicted from his home without any due process as required under both the state and federal constitutions. Willard seems to have little, if any, knowledge of or concern for the due-process rights of individuals. Even worse, Willard does not seem concerned with the need for judges to be impartial in their treatment of those who come into contact with the court. Willard's actions constitute violations of Canons 1, 2 and 3 of the Code of Judicial Conduct