Opinion ID: 1682450
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 2

Heading: findings and recommendation of the commission

Text: The Commission accepted JP Alfonso's stipulation that she violated the Code of Judicial Conduct as charged in the formal charge. The Commission also found that JP Alfonso violated LSA-Const. art. V, § 25(C), as charged. The Commission noted this court has set forth a non-exclusive list of factors a court may consider in imposing discipline on a judge. In re: Chaisson, 549 So.2d 259 (La.1989), citing Matter of Deming, 108 Wash.2d 82, 736 P.2d 639, 659 (1987). This court specified the following considerations: (a) whether the misconduct is an isolated instance or evidenced a pattern of conduct; (b) the nature, extent and frequency of occurrence of the acts of misconduct; (c) whether the misconduct occurred in or out of the courtroom; (d) whether the misconduct occurred in the judge's official capacity or in his private life; (e) whether the judge has acknowledged or recognized that the acts occurred; (f) whether the judge has evidenced an effort to change or modify his conduct; (g) the length of service on the bench; (h) whether there have been prior complaints about this judge; (i) the effect the misconduct has upon the integrity of and respect for the judiciary; and (j) the extent to which the judge exploited his position to satisfy his personal desires. Chaisson, 549 So.2d at 266. In recommending discipline in the instant case, the Commission looked to the Chaisson factors and made several conclusions. JP Alfonso's misconduct concerned one incident  the Nunez complaint about Thedens and his subsequent arrest due to her improper actions. Her misconduct occurred in the performance of her judicial duties. JP Alfonso entered into an extensive stipulation of facts, evidence, and conclusions of law regarding the Thedens case, and she committed to the Commission that in the future she would not take judicial action based upon her prior observations of an individual. Her testimony was that she would modify her behavior in the future. JP Alfonso first took the bench in December 1990. The arrest of Thedens, based upon an affidavit insufficient to support an arrest, occurred in April 2004. Accordingly, she was not new to the bench when the criticized conduct occurred. In fact, she had completed one full six-year term and was in the second year of another term at the time of the misconduct. There has been one prior complaint regarding JP Alfonso, which was closed by the Commission with a cautionary letter. In that matter she had been paid a filing fee, but had allegedly neglected the matter submitted. JP Alfonso's misconduct adversely affected the integrity and respect for the judiciary because she caused a person to be arrested and to suffer a night in jail without legal cause. [4] Anyone informed of all the facts could conclude that she wielded her judicial power irresponsibly, which negatively impacts the public's confidence in and respect for the judiciary. The Commission also found JP Alfonso may have intentionally exploited her position to satisfy personal desires. It was clear that the neighborhood issues involving Thedens included JP Alfonso's child. The specifics of the negative encounters between JP Alfonso and Thedens and regarding her child were not developed in the stipulated facts. Regardless, it was clear from a review of the exhibits that the friction between Thedens and JP Alfonso was personal to the judicial officer, and she admitted her bias against him. Recusal was necessary, and she did not recuse. The Commission recognized that as a constitutional fact-finding body, it is not a court, and it is not called upon or empowered by law to render legal judgments. With such caveat in mind, the Commission found the record demonstrates that JP Alfonso's actions were in violation of the Code of Judicial Conduct and the Louisiana Constitution of 1974. The Commission stated: The Supreme Court of Louisiana has held, the primary purpose of the Code of Judicial Conduct is to protect the public rather than to discipline a judge. In re Marullo, No. 96-2222, p. 4 (La.4/8/97); 692 So.2d 1019, 1023. The Commission considered the Statement of Stipulated Uncontested Material Facts, the stipulated exhibits, JP Alfonso's testimony at the hearing before the Commission, and the guiding decisions handed down by the Louisiana Supreme Court. In so doing, the Commission concluded that JP Alfonso's actions were so egregious that discipline more severe than a public censure was warranted. The Commission noted that JP Alfonso cooperated with the Office of Special Counsel and that the misconduct centered around only one set of circumstances. Nonetheless, the gravity of an unwarranted arrest, especially when the person responsible for the arrest admitted to her bias against the arrestee, indicates a recommendation of a short suspension from the bench, without pay, as the more appropriate level of discipline. [Emphasis supplied.] Based on these considerations, the Commission recommended that JP Alfonso be suspended from office for fifteen days and that she be ordered to reimburse and pay to the Commission the amount of $178.41 in costs.