Opinion ID: 1854995
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 15

Heading: Comments Regarding Premarital Sex

Text: Respondent questioned Everts regarding her view of premarital sex on at least two occasions. The first occurred when respondent was in Alliance presiding over legal matters. During a conversation in the clerk's office, respondent informed Everts that the county attorney wanted to have a baby without being married. Respondent asked Everts if she agreed with this, and she responded no. Respondent then asked Everts if she was making her boyfriend wait. Everts testified that respondent was referring to having sex with her boyfriend prior to their marriage. This comment embarrassed Everts. Respondent does not recall the conversation but does not deny that it took place, noting that he had talked to Everts about remaining chaste and pure. The second incident occurred at the courthouse in Chadron, Nebraska, on March 9, 1994. Everts, working for Judge Silverman at that time, traveled to Chadron to report a legal proceeding. After the case was concluded, Everts, Judge Silverman, and Frye were having a discussion just outside the courtroom. During this discussion, respondent asked Everts if she was making her fiance wait until they were married. Everts interpreted respondent's remark as inquiring whether she was engaging in premarital sex with her boyfriend. Everts testified she did not respond to the question and was humiliated because respondent made the comment in front of others. Judge Silverman testified that he was present that day and overheard respondent ask Everts if she was keeping herself for her boyfriend until they were married. Judge Silverman interpreted this question as one dealing with premarital sex between Everts and her boyfriend. According to Judge Silverman, Everts' eyes were filled with tears on the drive back to Alliance and she asked why he did not do anything when respondent made the comment. When asked what his reaction to respondent's comment was, Judge Silverman answered, I couldn't believe that he said that and I reached down and picked up my briefcase and I said, `Let's go.' I justI literally could not believe that in a group of people somebody would ask that question. Frye was also present during the comment and testified that respondent said something like, `I hope you're making him wait until marriage for sex.' According to Frye, respondent went on to tell Everts that if she did not make her boyfriend wait, he would not cherish or respect her. At a later date, respondent asked Frye if she could imagine Everts doing it, referring to sexual intercourse. When asked whether he remembers the conversation and making the comments to Everts, respondent offered the following testimony: A. Not specifically, but I don't doubt that it happened. I like Ms. Everts' own explanation of what was said better than probably what was said by others. Q. What do you recall about her explanation? A. Somewhere in there she said I said remember to keep yourself pure. Q. You might have said something like that? A. Probably. At that time I believe I knew that she'd made wedding plans. Q. Knowing now what you know then about her resentment of that type of conversation, would you make that comment to her? A. Not at all, not under any circumstances. The master found, by clear and convincing evidence, that respondent inquired about Everts' sexual activity with her boy-friend on both occasions in violation of Canons 2 and 3(B)(4) and (5) of the Code of Judicial Conduct and § 24-722(6).