Opinion ID: 2562751
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 5

Heading: FINDINGS and RECOMMENDATION

Text: The Commission on Judicial Conduct held a hearing in this matter on November 17 and 18, 2008 and took evidence. Judge Cummings was present and was represented by counsel, Jonathon Katcher. Special counsel for the Commission, Matthew Jamin, and counsel for the Judge presented evidence and argued. The Commission considered the evidence and arguments and unanimously agreed to the following findings by clear and convincing evidence: 1. On March 10, 2008, during a break in the first day of the trial in State v. Christopher Leonard, Judge Cummings passed a note to Trooper Joey Beaudoin, who had testified as a witness for the State. The note was Exhibit 23 at the hearing. The note referred to an exhibit admitted at the trial and implied that it was relevant to testimony provided by an earlier witness for the prosecution. Contemporaneously with the transfer of the note, Judge Cummings told Trooper Beaudoin, This is in case you want to get together to go fishing sometime. At the time of the document transfer and oral remark, the State had not finished presenting its case. Passing the note was an ex parte communication. Making the statement about fishing was an ex parte communication and created an appearance of impropriety in violation of AS 22.30.011(a)(3)(A), (C), (D), and (E) and Canons 1, 2(A), 2(B), 3(B)(2)(a), 3(B)(2)(b), and 3(E) of the Alaska Code of Judicial Conduct. 2. At a subsequent break in the trial on March 10, 2008 Judge Cummings asked Trooper Beaudoin if he had any questions about the note and Trooper Beaudoin told Judge Cummings that he did have a question, and did not understand the note by saying, what was the note about? This subsequent communication to Trooper Beaudoin was an ex parte communication and created an appearance of impropriety in violation of AS 22.30.011(a)(3)(A), (B), (C), (D), and (E) and Canons 1, 2(A), 2(B), 3(B)(2)(a), 3(B)(2)(b) and 3(E) of the Alaska Code of Judicial Conduct. 3. On the next day, March 11, Judge Cummings produced another note which he gave to Leonard's attorney. The note was hearing Exhibit 30. This note was created on March 10, was addressed to both attorneys, and referred to the same exhibit. However, at that time the Judge made a misstatement of his consistent intention to distribute similar notes to both parties. This misstatement of the Judge's intention created the appearance of impropriety in violation of AS 22.30.011(a)(3)(A), (C), (D), and (E) and Canons 1, 2(A), 2(B), 3(B)(2)(a), 3(B)(2)(b), and 3(E) of the Alaska Code of Judicial Conduct. 4. During the hearing on March 11, Judge Cummings, on his own motion, granted a mistrial. The prosecutor objected and pointed out that if the Judge granted a mistrial on his own, and not on the motion of either party, jeopardy would attach. Judge Cummings then recused himself, and indicated he would find another judge to continue with the trial or to hear a retrial of the matter. Then, after a short recess, Judge Cummings returned to the bench and stated he would continue with the trial. His continuing with the matter after he had recused himself created the appearance of impropriety in violation of AS 22.30.011(a)(3)(A), (C), (D), and (E) and Canons 1, 2(A), 2(B), 3(B)(2)(a), 3(B)(2)(b) and 3(B)(7) of the Alaska Code of Judicial Conduct. The Commission did not find by clear and convincing evidence that Judge Cummings' report to the Executive Director of the Conduct Commission of the circumstances of his ex parte communication with Trooper Beaudoin was improper or constituted misconduct. Article IV § 10 of the Alaska Constitution states a ... judge ... may be suspended, removed from office, retired, or censured by the supreme court upon the recommendation of the commission. In deciding its recommendation, the Commission members analyzed the misconduct using the methodology from In re Inquiry Concerning a Judge, 788 P.2d 716 (Alaska 1990). The Commission found that the ethical duty violated was to the legal system. Engaging in ex parte contact and failing to avoid the appearance of impropriety are significant violations that impact the ability of the legal system to fulfill its duty to impartially resolve disputes and maintain public trust. The mental state which existed when the Judge passed the note and followed up with inquiry was intentional. The mental state which existed when the judge said that he consistently intended to pass both notes was either knowing or negligent. The mental state which existed when he continued to act after he had recused himself was negligent. The potential harm which arose from passing the note is difficult to know. It may have made conviction of the defendant more likely, which would be a substantial harm. However, given the failure of the prosecution to use the information and the Assistant District Attorney's obvious failure to understand the relevance of the note seem to indicate that the potential harm was minimal. The potential harm of stating that the Judge always intended to provide similar notes to both parties was minimal. The potential harm from the Judge continuing to preside after his recusal was of minimal potential harm. Aggravating and mitigating factors exist. The Judge has no prior disciplinary record. There was no dishonest or selfish motive. The Judge is relatively new to the bench. The Judge has a reputation for truth and honesty. The Judge has remorse for the events and recognizes that his conduct was wrong. The Judge had at least one prior experience passing an ex parte note to a witness. Considering these factors, six members of the Commission voted to recommend to the Alaska Supreme Court that Judge Cummings be sanctioned by a suspension and that prior to returning to the bench, the Judge receive additional training. The ABA Standards for Imposing Lawyer Sanctions provide in 2.3 Generally suspension should be for a period of time equal to or greater than six months. Because the Alaska Supreme Court has not applied this specific standard to a judicial discipline matter, the Commission defers to the Court as to whether this baseline length of suspension should be adjusted on the aggravating and mitigating factors discussed above. Two members of the Commission believe that AS 22.30.070(c) does not authorize suspension and therefore recommend removal. Both of these members would recommend suspension if that sanction were available. DATED AT NOME, ALASKA This 23rd day of November 2008. /s/ BEN ESCH, Chairperson Commission on Judicial Conduct STATE OF ALASKA COMMISSION ON JUDICIAL CONDUCT In the matter of the proceeding pursuant to AS 22.30.01(a) in relation to: DENNIS CUMMINGS Judge of the District Court Fourth Judicial District at Bethel ACJC File No. 2008-004