Opinion ID: 1860373
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 3

Heading: Willful and Persistent Failure to Perform Duty

Text: Judge Doggett first argues that his conduct did not constitute a willful and persistent failure to perform his duty in violation of La. Const. art. V, § 25(C). The Commission did not find that Judge Doggett's conduct constituted a willful and persistent failure to perform his duty in violation of La. Const. art. V, § 25(C), nor is such a determination necessary to support the proposed discipline in this case. In re Wilkes, 403 So.2d 35, 40 (La.1981); In re Chaisson, 549 So.2d 259, 266 (La. 1989). Because Judge Doggett has admitted to the relevant conduct and admitted that his public intoxication violated the Code of Judicial Conduct and constituted persistent and public conduct prejudicial to the administration of justice that brings the judicial office into disrepute, this court pretermits the issue of whether Judge Doggett's conduct was a clear and convincing willful and persistent failure to perform his duty. Under these circumstances, this court's responsibility is limited to determining the sanction to impose for the violations. In re King, 857 So.2d at 445; In re Johnson, 96-1866 (La.11/25/96), 683 So.2d 1196, 1199; In re Decuir, 95-0056 (La.5/22/95), 654 So.2d 687, 692.