Opinion ID: 1735237
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 13

Heading: should judge shirley c. byers be removed from office and assessed the costs of this proceeding by the mississippi supreme court, pursuant to section 177a of the mississippi constitution of 1890, as amended

Text: ¶ 49. The Commission recommended that Judge Shirley C. Byers be removed from office and pay all costs associated with the prosecution of the complaint, totaling $2,023.59. Sanctions available to the Court include removal from office, suspension, fine and public censure or reprimand. The sanction imposed should be consistent with other like cases. Mississippi Comm'n on Judicial Performance v. Fletcher, 686 So.2d 1075 (Miss. 1996). ¶ 50. The Commission may consider prior judicial misconduct on the part of a judge when considering the sanctions to be imposed. Mississippi Comm'n on Judicial Performance v. Jenkins, 725 So.2d 162, 170 (Miss.1998). After careful consideration of the findings of fact and recommendations of the Commission on Judicial Performance, as well as a thorough examination of the record, this Court finds, by clear and convincing evidence, that Judge Byers has violated Canons 1, 2 A, 2 B(1), 3 A(1) and 3 B(1) of the Code of Judicial Conduct, Miss.Code Ann. §§ 99-15-26, 47-7-37 and 47-7-47 and Section 177A of the Mississippi Constitution. ¶ 51. Due to the mitigating factors involved and the seriousness of the sanctions, we have carefully scrutinized the Commission's, recommendation that Judge Byers be removed from office, and have considered whether removal is the only way to reestablish the reputation and integrity of the office. ¶ 52. Judges are called upon to exemplify the highest of standards of conduct in a variety of situations and have a duty to conduct themselves with respect for those they serve, including the court staff and the litigants that come before them. Mississippi Comm'n on Judicial Performance v. Spencer, 725 So.2d 171, 178 (Miss.1998). This Court is reluctant to remove a judge from office when there has been no criminal activity involved nor apparent willful attempt to bring the office of the judiciary into disrespect. However, the power to hold a person in contempt of court is a solemn responsibility, and any misuse of this power is a serious charge. Further, [c]laim of ignorance of the duties of his office or negligence in carrying out those duties as a defense to judicial misconduct is tantamount to an admission by an accused judge that he does not possess the qualifications necessary to hold the office to which he has been elected. In re Collins, 524 So.2d 553, 557 (Miss.1987). ¶ 53. This Court is not bound by the Commission's recommendations, but we give them great weight since the Commission was able to observe the witnesses during the hearing and had the benefit of personal observation of the demeanor and attitude of the judge. Bailey at 1037. This Court, in upholding the standards as set out in the judicial canons, recognizes that we require our judges to be: patient, dignified, and courteous to litigants, jurors, witnesses, lawyers, and others with whom he deals in his official capacity, and should require similar conduct of lawyers, and of his staff, court officials, and others subject to his direction and control. Miss.Code of Judicial Conduct Canon 3. ¶ 54. Judge Byers either knew or should have known that her actions were in excess of the authority and jurisdiction conferred upon her as a circuit court judge. Because of the repeated nature and the magnitude of the conduct, we agree that Judge Byers engaged in willful misconduct in office and conduct which is prejudicial to the administration of justice which brings the judicial office into disrepute. This Court seriously considered the sanction of removal. However, Judge Byers has already been removed by the people of her electoral district. She offered for re-election and was defeated.