Opinion ID: 1920622
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 13

Heading: Intent or Effect of Misconduct

Text: Judge Elloie testified that he did not believe he committed judicial misconduct for two reasons. First, he did not intend to violate the judicial canons or the constitution. Second, the actions he performed were not irrevocable, and were, in fact, subsequently set aside. Judge Elloie's understanding of the ethical precepts contained in the Canons of Judicial Conduct and the Louisiana Constitution is in error. There is no subjective intent requirement for judicial misconduct. An act does not have to be intentional to support judicial discipline. In re: Hunter, XXXX-XXXX p. 16 (La.8/19/02), 823 So.2d 325, 336 ([A] judge may also, through negligence or ignorance not amounting to bad faith, behave in a manner prejudicial to the administration of justice so as to bring the judicial office into disrepute.). Moreover, as found by the Commission, the fact that other judges or other circumstances may correct the erroneous or legally unsupportable judicial action does not absolve the respondent judge from the consequences of his wrongful acts. Based on the foregoing, we find that there is clear and convincing evidence that Judge Elloie violated Canons 1 and 2 A of the Code of Judicial Conduct and La. Const. Art. V, § 25 C, as set forth in the Formal Charge.