Opinion ID: 2622434
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 2

Heading: issue and summary

Text: A magistrate must observe high standards of conduct to preserve the integrity of the court. Respondent, a magistrate, made ex parte phone calls to a litigant who had appeared before him in court earlier the same day. During the next court hearing, this litigant told Respondent she felt uncomfortable with him presiding over her case. Respondent failed to properly consider her statement and proceeded to hear the case. Did Respondent violate the Colorado Code of Judicial Conduct? The Hearing Board finds Respondent violated the Colorado Code of Judicial Conduct when he made four ex parte calls to a litigant and when he later failed to consider her request that he recuse himself from her case. The Hearing Board also finds Respondent did not violate Colo. RPC 8.4(d) because he was acting as a magistrate and not a lawyer when he engaged in the conduct stated above. Finally, the Hearing Board finds that the allegation Respondent passed a personal note to a litigant in open court was not proved by clear and convincing evidence. SANCTION IMPOSED: PUBLIC CENSURE