Opinion ID: 2490774
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 5

Heading: Whether Judge Cowart should be publicly reprimanded; suspended without pay for a period of sixty days; and assessed all costs of the proceeding, in the amount of $2,139.63, as recommended by the Commission.

Text: ¶ 14. The Commission recommended that Judge Cowart receive a public reprimand; suspension for a period of sixty days without pay; and assessment of costs in the amount of $2,139.63. After conducting an independent inquiry, we agree. ¶ 15. This Court has the sole duty to impose appropriate sanctions for judicial misconduct. Boland, 975 So.2d at 895. The Mississippi Constitution sets forth sanctions this Court may impose in judicial performance matters. The Mississippi Constitution states: On recommendation of the commission on judicial performance, the Supreme Court may remove from office, suspend, fine or publicly censure or reprimand any justice or judge of this state for: (a) actual conviction of a felony in a court other than a court of the State of Mississippi; (b) willful misconduct in office; (c) willful and persistent failure to perform his duties; (d) habitual intemperance in the use of alcohol or other drugs; or (e) conduct prejudicial to the administration of justice which brings the judicial office into disrepute; and may retire involuntarily any justice or judge for physical or mental disability seriously interfering with the performance of his duties, which disability is or is likely to become of a permanent character. Miss. Const. art. 6, § 177A (1890). This Court must impose sanctions appropriate for the specific misconduct. Boland I, 975 So.2d at 893. ¶ 16. This Court has established factors to be considered when determining whether a public reprimand should be imposed. These factors are now considered in determining any sanction for judicial misconduct. Miss. Comm'n on Judicial Performance v. Gibson, 883 So.2d 1155, 1158 (Miss.2004) overruled on other grounds by Miss. Comm'n on Judicial Performance v. Boone, 60 So.3d 172 (Miss 2011). The following six factors are now considered: