Opinion ID: 1787171
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 2

Heading: additional charges

Text: While the election charges were pending in this Court additional charges were filed against Judge McMillan involving actual cases in which Judge McMillan acted as a judge. These charges arose out of two court cases referred to as State v. Ocura, No. 00-348-T (Fla. 12th Cir.Ct.) (the Ocura case), and Lohrey v. Eastman, No.2000-CC-000288 (Fla. Manatee County Ct.) (the Lohrey case) (Supreme Court Case No. SC00-703). In the Ocura case it was alleged that Judge McMillan had personally witnessed Mr. Ocura allegedly driving intoxicated, and that he personally notified the police and provided a witness statement at the scene of Mr. Ocura's arrest. On the following morning after Mr. Ocura's arrest and jailing, Judge McMillan intentionally prevailed upon the assigned judge to allow him to personally preside over Mr. Ocura's first appearance in court. Thereafter, knowing of his personal involvement and direct conflict in the case, Judge McMillan then presided over Mr. Ocura's case and also ordered an allegedly inappropriate excessive bond of $100,000 that was later reduced by another judge. The Lohrey complaint stated that Judge McMillan initially entered an order disqualifying himself and later withdrew his own disqualification order and proceeded to decide the merits of the case at the request of the party seeking relief. The formal charges in the Ocura and Lohrey cases alleged: [1. The Ocura case.] The acts described above [concerning the arrest and first appearance hearing of Mr. Ocura], if they occurred as alleged, were in violation of Canon 1, Canon 2A, Canon 3B(1) and Canon 3(E) of the Code of Judicial Conduct and occurred at a time when you [Judge McMillan] should have been circumspect in: (i) avoiding any impropriety or the appearance of impropriety; or (ii) engaging in any conduct which might erode public confidence in the integrity and impartiality of the judiciary. [2. The Lohrey case.] The acts described above [concerning the disqualification of Judge McMillan and his reentry into the case], if they occurred as alleged, were in violation of Canon 1, Canon 2A, Canon 3B(1), and Canon 3E of the Code of judicial Conduct and well established law and demonstrate a cumulative pattern of judicial misconduct. The acts described above, if true as alleged, also occurred at a time when you should have been circumspect in: (i) avoiding any impropriety or the appearance of impropriety; or (ii) engaging in any conduct which might erode public confidence in the integrity and impartiality of the judiciary. Subsequent to this Court's remand of the election case back to the JQC, the JQC consolidated all three cases for hearing: the election charges, the Ocura case, and the Lohrey case. The JQC adjudicatory panel held hearings on October 30 through November 2, 2000, in which evidence was presented by both sides. Thereafter, the JQC filed its Findings, Conclusions and Recommendations by the Hearing Panel of the Judicial Qualifications Commission. Ultimately, the JQC found Judge McMillan not guilty on charge 2 and subparagraph (i) of charge 8 of the election case; and not guilty in the Lohrey case. However, the JQC sustained all of the remaining charges and recommended Judge McMillan's removal from office for these combined violations.