Opinion ID: 1108772
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 1

Heading: Whether Pittman's actions constitute misconduct in his judicial office.

Text: ¶ 9. A judge engages in willful misconduct in office by intentionally, or with gross unconcern, misusing the power of his or her office. In re Quick, 553 So.2d at 524 (quoting In re Anderson, 412 So.2d 743, 745 (Miss.1982)); see also In re Garner, 466 So.2d 884, 885 (Miss.1985); In re Stewart, 490 So.2d 882, 884 (Miss.1986); In re Collins, 524 So.2d 553 (Miss.1987). The conduct must involve more than a mere error of judgment or lack of diligence. In re Quick, 553 So.2d at 524 (quoting In re Anderson, 412 So.2d at 745). Bad faith generally is required, and is present where there is [a] specific intent to use the powers of the judicial office to accomplish a purpose which the judge knew or should have known was beyond the legitimate exercise of his authority.... In re Quick, 553 So.2d at 524 (quoting In re Anderson, 412 So.2d at 745). ¶ 10. Conduct that falls short of bad faith may still be conduct prejudicial to the administration of justice that brings the judicial office into disrepute. In re Quick, 553 So.2d at 524 (quoting In re Anderson, 412 So.2d at 745). Willful misconduct, on the other hand, always entails behavior that is prejudicial to the administration of justice which brings the judicial office into disrepute. In re Quick, 553 So.2d at 524 (quoting In re Anderson, 412 So.2d at 745). ¶ 11. In his official capacity, Pittman executed an arrest warrant and other documents related to the criminal charges against Moreno, including an order setting bond. Thereafter, Pittman served as counsel for Moreno on these same charges in the circuit court. By doing so, Pittman violated Canons 1, 2A, 2B, 3A, 3B(1), 3B(2), and 4D(1) of the Code of Judicial Conduct of Mississippi Judges. ¶ 12. We find that Pittman's conduct constituted willful misconduct and conduct prejudicial to the administration of justice which brings the judicial office into disrepute.